Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-20
sENATe's CLOSING HOURS.


No Action on the Roach CiRe-C Chandler
Replies to Voorheo.
WAsH1NGToN, April 17.-Saturday after
noon, after an address by Mr.. Platt on the
proposed investigation of the Roach case,
and the introduction Of q resolution by Mr..
Lodge to the effect that 1.-THE secretary Of
State be directed to inform the Senate by
whose authority the American flag was
hauled down from the govern ent building
at Honolulu on April l." Senators Harris
and Sherman, who had been appointed
committee TO wait upon the president and
inform him that the Senate is ready to ad-
journ, reported that they had performed
that duty and had been informed ly the
president that he had no further comlnuni-
cation for the Senate at its present session.
Mr.. Chandler, rising to question Of per-
sonal privilege, said that he had not dis
tinctly understood yesterday whether the
senator from Indiana (Mr. Voorhees) had
said that be "migh3 have heard" or that he
'had heard" certain statements concerning
his action as secretary OF the navy. The
Congressional Record this morning did not
contain the senator's speech, but he found
in the Washington Post the following YER
batm report; 81 have heard alleged Of the
senator from New Hampshire very grave
and ugly things. l have heard men say
built three or four ships which made but
one trip-that was to the bottom of the sea.
have heard it alleged that the contractors
retired from their work rich, contented aud
infsmous-all at the same time.
MIR. Chandler said he thought he had kept
pretty good track OF the various attacks
made upon him from time to time, both
personal and Official but that he had never
heard OF these charges before The only
ships that were built while he was secretary
OF the navy were tho Chicago, the Boston,
the Atlanta and the Dolphin. And these
ships, he thought were very much atloat at
this day. When the great review would
take place at Hampton Roads and New
York harbor, those ships would appear as
fine ships as existed in the world Of the
period of their construction The Dolphin
would contain the PRESIDENT and his cabinet
and many senators, and be devoutly hoped
that she would not go, as sho never had
gone, to the bottom Of the sea.
Tho contract for those ships had been
made with Mr. John Roach, and 1t could
not be to him that the senator alluded
one of those who had retired erich, con-
tended and infamous"
John Roach bad become failed con-
tractor, through the injustice of his (Mr.
Chandler's) successor as secretary OF the
navy. His affairs had gone into the hsnds
of assignees, and he died a broken hearted
man. He desired to interpose distinct de-
NAL to Mr.. Voorhees, charges and to deny
also any imputation that had found its way
into public print in any way affecting either
his personal or official conduct.
Mr.. voorhees, explained that his remarks
yesterday were intended as en- illustration
of the position taken by the senator from
NJ. a..
side. The language which he had used in
reference to Mr. Chandler he had heard
used by others, and not at very remote
period from the present time
Mr.. Hansbrough also rose to a question
Of personal privilege and expressed the hope
that the Senate would not adjourn without
giving his colleague (Mr. Roach the oppor-
tunity asked by him yesterday.
Objection was made by several democratio
senators.
The Senate then proceeded to thu consid-
GRAFTON of executive business.
When the doors were reopened resou-
ton was offered by Mr. Henderson, and
| agreed TO, rendering the thanks of the SEN
ate to the vice president for his impair TALLY
and courtesy.
Mr.. George renewed his efforts to have
| $4,000 set aside out of the contingent fund
for the expenses Of an investig by the
committee on agriculture during recess.
The resolution was defeated and reso-
| luton instructing the committee on contin-
gent expenses to fix the amounts to be al
| lowed for the several committee investiga-
tions was agreed to, as were also the vari-
GUS pending resolutions authorizing such in
designations.
| A motion to adjourn sine die then