Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-02-23
CongressmanS Scores
Presidents Note
Of Regret
Would Rather La
ment the Massacre
OF January %
Baker Of New York
Creates Sensation
in the House

Washington, Feb. 21.--The house
yesterday after seven hours Of session
passed the naval appropriation bill,
carrying total Of $99,9l4,359. The
provision for two battleships, as re,
ported by tho committee on naval ar.
fairs, was retained. Both majority
and minority were badly divided over
the proposition, mt least 40 members
Of the latter going over to the replrb-
leans, while about AN equal number
OF republicans voted In opposition
Several important changes in the bill
were made. The proposed increase
of | 200 mon and officers for the ma
rine corps was stricken out, as was
also the provision authorizing the
construction OF q collier somewhere
else than at the Mare Island navy
the work better an item Of $4,000
was inserted for the proper equipment
OF the Mare Island yard.
Refer to Assassination.
Several times during the debate the
assassination of Grand Duke SergiTs
was referred to, the subject being
brought up by Mr.. Baker OF New
York, who condemned THE action Of
President Roosevelt in sending mes.
sage OF coincidence to Russia, express.
ing tho sentiment that the government
and American people viewed the act
with abhorrence The people, he de.
clared, did view with adherence the
massacre In st. Petersburg January
22. but the president, he said had mot
seen az to send u message of condo
ence on that occasion,
President Defended.
He was replied to by Mr.. Grosvenor
of Ohio, who took the ground that re-
gardless Of the character of the duke
or tho question of the right or wrong
of Russia's policy toward her sub
jects, the president In sending the
message had done exactly what civ
il2ation recognized MS his duty
Baker Defies Expulsion.
The climax came later In the day
when Mr. Baker read resolution on
the subject, which he subsequently In,
PRODUCED and which In effect was q re-.
iteration of his remarks previously
made. He explained that his object
In SO doing was because II had been
suggested that In that event a motion
would be made to cxpel him. He
shouted defiance to any member OF
tho house to make the motion MS he.
deposited the resolution and took his
seat amid the confusion and turmoil
which tho incident had created
Democratic Disclaimer.
General applause was accorded MI
Maddox of Georgia when he declared
that the democratic side Of the house
did not approve OF this damnahlc
assassination" He said the demo
Gratis believed In fair rights "Wo
don't believe in slaughter" he said
and we don't believe In this business
which caused the slaughter OF the
grand duke and" he added tho dom
ocratic party don't stand for II now
nor will II ever do So
Duty Demanded Coincidence.
Mr. Grosvenor was bitter In his
criticism of Mr., Baker, whose action
he declared TO have been unpreccdont.
ed Had adjournment been taken,
n, rat at
less and stupid exhibition of ignor.
ance, The public ald the world
know that the American congress did
not sympathizc with riot and unneces.
sary hloodshed. Whether II was nee.
essary or not there was no doubt q
strong critical opinion in the country
but he said no Intelligent man would
suggest that congress express an
opinion on that subject, Mr.. Grosve
nor spoke OF Sergi,rs as u cabinet OIL
Ger OF the emperor. He denied tina
the president fell short Of his duty
and said that as regards the killing oi
the grand duke, II would have beer
little short OF impropriety had no
the president sent hts message q
coincidence.
The United States. he said. was no
treating the question Of the characte
OF Sergius nor the question OF tn,
right or wrong OF Russia's intcna
policy, but In the name Of common hu
mainly and In pursuance Of time he
ored precedent the president had sen
his message 81 coincidence. He ye1
tured the assertion, and received lii
eral applause in doing 50. that II