Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1898 — NO TIME WASTED. [ARTICLE]

NO TIME WASTED.

Congress Responds Quickly to a Message of President McKinley. He Asks for a Formal Declaration of War and Urges Speedy Aotion. House Passes Resolution in Less Than Two Minutes After Its Presentation. * It Fixes April ai as the Data of the Beginning of the War—Senate Paases the Measure Also. VaU Text of the War BUI and the Special Mcaangre Sent by President McKinley. i Washington, April 26.—The house of representatives on Monday passed the bill declaring the existence of a state of war between the United States and the kingdom of Spain In a manner which cannot fall to impress the world. The representatives of 70,000,000 people voted for it without a. word of debate, without a dissenting vote and without a roll call, but with a solemn appreciation of the gravity of their momentous action. It required but one minute and 41 seconds to accomplish this. *The house was considering an election cass and simply paused war. There was no excitement, no cavil, no word or Question. It was only In the great oheer that went up from floor and galleries when Speaker Heed announced Its passage that the tremendous Import of the act and the •oppressed enthusiasm behind It was shown. After the president’s message was read the committee on foreign affairs framed the resolution, Acting Chairman Adams wrote the reporrt and It was passed on its way to the senate In an hour and •lx minutes. The speaker signed It at 4*49. The War Bill. Following is the text of the declaration of war reported by the house foreign affairs committee: . i "A bill declaring that war exists between the United States of America and the kingdom of Spain. "Be It enacted, etc. "First—That war be and the earns Is hereby declared to exist and that war has existed since the 21st day of April, 189$, Including said day, between the United States of America and ttw kingdom ol Spain. "Second—That the president of the United States be and he hereby Is directed and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States, and to call Into the actual service of the United States the militia of the several states, to such extent as may be necessary to carry this aet Into effect."