Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1898 — IN CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

IN CONGRESS.

Representative- ot Cttiinn Junta Appears Before House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Washington, April B.— There was a scene of great excitement in the house late Thursday afternoon during the consideration of the bill for the reorganization of the army. It was caused by Mr. Lentz, an Ohio democrat, who made a*vic!ous assault on the administration, charging that the policy of delay was in (he Interest of stock jobbers in Wall street He alleged that Wall street was in possession of information that the message would not go in long before it was knoWn at the capitol, and profited heavily by the advance in the price of stocks which resulted. He even charged that there was no warrant f<y the alarming statements about the situation In Havana which were justifying the delay of the message. Mr. Lentz’ speech created a profound sensation, and met with an emphatic reply from Gen. Grosvenor, now generally re-ira-ded as the administration spokesman on the floor. Mr. Grosvenor not only indignantly denied that there was justification for the reports, but held Mr. Lentz up to scorn for alleging corrupt motives against the president. Mr. Lentz disclaimed this, but thp irate friend of the president gave him no mercy. He, was thoroughly aroused, and laid about him Witlia veritable bludgeon, charging it..it the democrats were seeking political advantage and paying his respects to,John J. JyLCook and others. Before he concluded lie expressed the opinion that war was as eertain that we would live until next week, unless it was averted by Spain. The debate on the army bill developed more and more opposition. Mr. Hull tried to save the bill by agreeing to strike out all its provisions, even the three-battalion formation features, but it was in the end recommitted, 150 to 61. The house adjourned Until Monday. Some sharp war talk was indulged tn by the- senate Thursday. When consideration of the sundry civil appropriation bill was resumed the question pending was the amendment of Senator Pettus (Aid.), providing for such improvement of the harbor at Moblle'as would enable war vessels to obtain coal and other supplies there. Senator Allison (la.), in charge of the bill, made a point of order against the amendment. This called out"a bitter speech by Senator Morgan (Ala.), who charged the appropriation committee with discriminating against proper measures and threatened to assist in dissolving the committee. He followed with an argument showing the necessity for the improvement proposed, holding that it would open to the government in time of war the coal fields of the south and enable it successfully to fight the Reasonable monopoly that had been formed to control the coal supply ot the country in the event of war. The amendment was lost. At two o’clock the bill had not been completed anil was laid aside, the senate devoting the remainder of the afternoon to eulogies of the Late Senator James Z. George, of Mississippi.