Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-21
SCENE IN TIE HOUSE.


bill.
There was DEPRESSION from the de-
! ate on this bill, when Mr.. Baker con-
demned President Roosevelt for sending
to the Russian Government message OF
sympathy on account OF the assassination
of Grand Duke Sergius and expressing
the opinion that both the American
government and people viewed the kill.
ing with adherence Dir. Baker declared
that no such message had been sent when
the massacre occurred in st. Petersburg
on January %.
81 deny" he yehsnently asserted.
that the American people are shocked
by the killing of the Grand Duke
Sergius." The people, he insisted, we're,
however, shocked sat the wanton
massacre Cd January d." The killing
Of sergius the declared to be but an in-
cident in the effort the Russian people
were making to overthrow the tyranny
that had oppressed them.
'DO you wish it to 60 out to the coun-
try" inte1ected Mr. Thayer, "that ths
American people sanction the killing OF
Grand Duke Sergius?"
Mr.. Baker replied that the people were
shocked at the actisn of government
that refused to take notice Of the murder
Of thousand Of individuals land yet pre-
tends to be Mortified at the loss OF one
human life."
General applause was accorded hr.
Maddox when he declared that the dem
ocratic side of the House did not approve
Of ''this damnable assassination. DE
said the democrats believed in lair
rights. "We don't believe in slaughter"
he said, "aDd we don't believe in this
business which caused the slaughter OF
the Grand Duke, and" he added, ''the
democratic party do not stand for 1t now,
nor will it ever do So"
In the course of his remarks Mr..
Baker referred to the refusal OF the
House 10 adjourn out Of respect to the
Russians killed on the streets of st.
Petersburg On January %. Il
With particular reference to that ac-
ton, Mr.. Grosvenor was bitter in his
criticism Of Mr.. Baker. Mr.. Bakers
action he declared to have been unpre-
cedenled. Had adjournment been taken,
he said, it would have been meaning
less and stupid exhibition of ignorance.
The public and the world knew that the
American Congress did not sympathize
with riot and unnecessary bloodshed.
Whether it was necessary or not there
was no doubt strong critical opinion
in the country, but, he said, no intelli'
gent man would suggest that Congress
express an opinion on that subject. Mr..
Grosyenor spoke on Grand Duke Ser
gius as a Cabinet officer of the emperor.
He denied that the President fell shsrt
of his duty, and said that as regards the
killing of the Grand Duke Sergius it
would have been little short Of impro-
priety had not the President sent his
message of coincidence.
The United States, he said, was not
treating the question or the character of
Sergius, nor the question of the right or
wrong of Russia's internal policy, but in
the name of common humanity aud in
pursuance of time hou0red precedent
the President had sent his message OF
coincidence. He ventured the assertion,
and received liberal applause in doingso,
that if vote OF condemnation of the
President was afforded by any resolution
of Mr.. Baker it would not get vote
except the latter's own. The President,
he concluded, had dsne exactly what
civilization recognized as his duty.
Mr.. Baker created a sensation by
Offering the following resolution
THAT while this House views with
horror the deliberate destruction OF
human life at all times and under all
circumstance, yet it declares that rep
rehensible as was the murder of the
Grand Duke Sergius, it was no more
wanton than the massacre pcrpetrated
by the Russian government on January
%, when thousands of unframed men,
women and children were butchered
10 cold blood, and that it regards the
murder of those helpless unofeuding men,
women and children as one Of the most
dastardly crimes ever perpetrated; that
in refusing to express the horror of the
people of this country at that fearful
crime, while now asserting that both the
American Government and people view
the killing of Grand Duke Sergius with
adherence, the President has not and
does not voice the real sentiments of the
people OF the United States"
In an excited manner he asserted that
he had been told that if he introduced the
resolution a motion would be made TO
expel him from the House. Rushing
down the aisle and waving the resolution
in his hand be deposited it In the box
provided for such measures and defed |
anyone TO make motion to expel him.
"Makeit now" he shouted, "Expel!
Expel lExpell tell you. Introduce
your motion to expelp'
No action was taken on the resolution.
The consideration of the naval apProp.
ration bill was subsequently resumed.
MINE HORROR.
Meager reports reached Birmingham,
Ala, yesterday evening of terrible