Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/365

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OF WILLIAM McKINLEY
313
May 20. The Senate of the United States recognized the Cubans as belligerents.
July 24. The "Dingley tariff bill" receives the President's approval.
December 12. Death of President McKinley's mother at Canton, Ohio. 1898.
1898.
Feb. 15. Battleship Maine blown up in Havana Harbor.
Both branches of Congress voted unanimously (the House on March 8 by a vote of 313 to 0, and the Senate by a vote of 76 to on the following day) to place $50,000,000 at the disposal of the President, to be used at his discretion, "for the national defence."
March 23. The President sent to the Spanish government, through Minister Woodford, at Madrid, an ultimatum regarding the intolerable condition of affairs in Cuba.
March 28. The report of the court of inquiry on the destruction of the Maine at Havana, on February 15, was transmitted by the President to Congress.
April 11. The President sent a message to Congress outlining the situation, declaring that intervention was necessary, and advising against the recognition of the Cuban government.
April 21. The Spanish government sent Minister Woodford his passports, thus beginning the war.
April 22. Proclamation announcing war issued by the President.
April 23. The President issued a call for 125,000 volunteers.
April 24. Spain formally declared that war existed with the United States.
April 25. In a message to Congress, the President recommended the passage of a joint resolution declaring that war existed with Spain. On the same day both branches of Congress passed such a declaration.