Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-18
WRTY-RIGHTR CONGRESS.
SEN ATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IL.
In the Senate Mr.. Hale introduced three
bills.
The first authorizes the President to estab-
lish two naval or coaling stations near the
Isthmus of Panama. one on the Atlantic and
one on the Pacific side, and make preliminary
arrangements for the establishment OF slml-
lar stations in such other parts of the world
As he may deem advisable. Another OIL
provides for the construction of seven steel
vessels, one steam ram, one cruising torpedo
and two harbor torpedo boats, recommended
by the secretary of the navy in his last an
nual report. The third provides that the
President shall appoint board of nine OFF,
GERS of high rank to scrutinize the active list
of the navy and select not more than COZ
officers of the line, ITO of the medical corps,
Sc of the pay corps and 220 of the engineers
corps for retention on the active list, and all
others to be placed on separate reserved
list. not entitled to promotion and to have
leave of absence pay, but subject to the order
of the service in the time of war, and then to
have full pay. The bill abolishes the bureau
of construction and repairs, establishing in
stead bureau of naval construction.
In presenting the bills Mr.. Hale said it
did not seem to him that many subjects were
likely to come before Congress OF more i'm
mediate importance than the question of the
condition of the navy. The rapid disappear
ance of wooden vessels tells too plainly that
more important work for further increasing
the navy in its force of ships ought to be at.
tended to at once. He hoped the matter
would be consided, not with reference to the
past, but the future, not with reference to
politics, but what a great and increasing need
Of the republic.
The chaplain in few touching words re-
ferred to the death of Hon. d. ID. Haskell OF
Kansas, and invoked the divine blessing upon
the bereaved family.
Mr.. Scales of North Carolina, presented
the certificate of election of Thos. G. Skin
ner as representative elect from the first dis
trict of North Carolina and asked that the
gentleman be sworn in. He, however, with.
drew the request for the present upon notice
by Mr.. Keifer of Ohio, that he had resolu.
ton to offer in regard to it.
On motion of Mr.. Holman of Indiana. i,
was ordered that when the House adjourn,
today, it be to meet Wednesday next.
Mr.. Anderson of Kansas, then rose and
said: 1T is with sorrow that 1 perform the
sad duty Of announcing to the House the
death of my lamented colleague Hon. Dudley
C. Haskell. who died at his residence in this
city, yesterday morning, with the earliest
tint of that sacred day which typi6es to the
Christian the resurrection of the dead. His
spirit was severed from the jurisdiction o
this Congress of the United States and Joined
that sublime general assembly of representa-
tives from all nations, continents and cen
turtles. As a babe sleeps so he slept out O
life and woke to that Immortality vouchsafed
and given by our Lord Jesus Christ. Mr.
Haskell has served during the last three Con
crosses, with ever increasing ability, fidelity
and efficiency, and had he been spared t.
occupy this seat, draped with emblems o
mourning but frightened with the flowers o
christian hope, he would have taken higl
and deserved rank IN the 4Sth Congress. o.
his never questioned purity of character
bright legislative experience and statesman
ship this is not the time to speak.
On some future day, the House will b.
asked to suspend its ordinary proceedings ant
pay fitting tributes of respect to the life o
one whose words and deeds have become al
inseparable part of its history.
| Mr.. Anderson then offered the customar,
resolutions which were unanimously adopte
and the House as tribute of respect to tn
deceased, at 1914 adjourned until Wednes
day.