Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1898 — EYES ON THE SENATE [ARTICLE]

EYES ON THE SENATE

With That Body Rests Decision of Momentous Question. SHALL IT BE MORE DELAY OR ACTION? 1 ' Attempt to Fix Time for a Vote on Resolutions Fails—Many Senator* Want to Talk—Spanish Minister Ready to Leave Capital. Washington, April 15. —Interest in the Cuban question centered at the senate wing of the capitol Thursday while the resolutions reported Wednesday by the senate committee on foreign relations were under consideration. The most significant event of the day was an attempt to fix a vote, and the failure to do so on account of the desire of many senators to debate the resolution at considerable length. It is impossible now to say when a vote will be taken, and the utmost the friends of the resolution hope is to secure a vote by the end of the week. When the senate adjourned Senator Davis, in charge of the resolution, repeated his intention to ask the senate to sit continuously after the beginning of the session to-day, unless an agreement to fix a time for a vote can be secured. “I see no other way of bringing the matter to an issue,” he said. "I, of course, do not enjoy night sessions any more than other senators, but I appreciate the importance of getting the speeches off and of securing a vote at the earliest possible hour.” Anxious as Senator Davis and others of his mind are for a speedy vote the indications are for considerable delay. The Vice president has received requests from about 20 senators for recognition to speak and others are expected to make similar application. All these in-

sist that they have no Intention of speaking for the purpose of causing delay, but nevertheless they tvill consume many hours es tifne. It would seem now that eyen in case of continuous session a vote would not be probable before Saturday. Senate Proceeding*. Washington, April 15. —The attention of the civilized world is focused upon the senate of the United States. Upon its action probablj' depends the momentous question of war between this country and Spain. The action of the house of representatives Wednesday in adopting resolutions looking to armed intervention in the Cuban rebellion transferred the center of interest and action from one wing of the great marWecapital to the other. Upon the senate, therefore, as was iterated and reiterated on the floor rests the responsibility for delay or action. For more than six hours Thursday afternoon the senate had the resolutions proposed by the committee on foreign relations under consideration. The speeches delivered upon the various phases of the situation, eloquent, spirited and vehement aa all of them were, disclosed no irreconcilable differences among those who spoke. All were in favor of action in some form by the government of the United States. The most radical difference was ai to whether the resolutions finally adopted should recognize the independence of the Cuban republic or simply declare for armed Intwvenitlon with a view to the ultimata freedom and Independence of the Cuban people. The speakers Thursday were Senator Turner (Wash.), Hoar (Mass.), Turple (Ind.), Gray (Del.) and Fairbanks (Ind.). They were accorded the most profound attention both by senators on the floor ami by the throngs In the galleries. The speeches were interspersed with sharp and spirited colloquies. some of which caused intense excitement in the galleries. Many times the applause both on the floor and in the galleries was tumultuous and the vice president was obliged more than once to warn the spectators that no demonstrations were, under the rules, to be permitted. After vainly endeavoring on two occasions to agree to a time for'a vote upon the resolution* and after voting down a motion to adjourn, the senate finally amid much confusion agreed to adjourn until ten o’clock to-day. Dull Day In the Uouae. Washington, April 15. —The session of the house Thursday was dull and absolutely devoid of interest. The galleries and the floor were almost deserted. The most important measure passed

was the Curtis bill for the relief of residents of the Indian territory. It provides for the settlement of questions involving 19,000,000 acres belonging to the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Creeks, Choctaws and Seminoles, and now occupied by 300,000 whites and 60,000 Indians. It provides for the ejectment of 7,000 intruders upon 127,000 acres of land. The lands are to be leased, so as to give each Indian a share. Mineral lands are to be leased by the secretary of the interior and {citizens in towns located on lands are to be permitted to buy titles to the holdings from the Indians. Polo Ready to Leave. Washington, April 15. —The Spanish minister, Senor Polo, has made final preparations for his departure from Washington, but no actual step in that direction will be taken until specific instructions are received from Madrid. Up to the present time there have been no such instructions and no intimations that they were about to come, but the preparations for removal have been completed in view of the obvious condition of affairs. The official archive*, which constitute the most important possession of the Spanish legation, have been sealed in readiness to be placed in charge of the French ambassador at Washington, M. Cambon.