Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-05-14
From our washlngton correspondent.

From Our Washington Correspondent
Washington, May 9.-Gen. James Fl.
Wilson, chairman OF the Republican
State Central Committee of Delaware,
was in the city day before yesterday.
He visited the Capitol early in the day
and spent quite long time in close
conversation with Senator Allison in
the marble room. He afterwards
walked down town with Senator Gear
and another Western Republican Sena-
tor, and all seemed deeply interested in
the subject under conversation.
This conference with Mr.. Allison is
looked upon by the politicians as mean
ing that an effort will be made to get
the Delaware delegates to st. Louis
instructed for Allison. Congressman
Willis. in speaking of the matter to
The Gazette's correspondent said
that he did not believe that such was
the case delaware is for Mckinley"
he said, with emphasis. Mr.. Willis
said that he did not intend to be pres
ent at the Republican convention.
When asked whether Addicls or Hig-
gins would secure control, Mr.. Willis
said that he would not be surprised if
both were defeated.
Mr.. Willis is making an effort to
secure the passage of bill granting an
increase of pension to Joseph E. Van
tine of New Castle. The bill fixes the
rate at S72 per month. The bill is 921
on the House calendar and may not be
reached this session. The committee
on pensions has favorably reported the
bill and recommended it's passage.
Their report is as follows:
| 1nsanh Naptina apIi1faJ IL, fba
United States Navy May 10Th, 1857, RS
second class fireman on the U. S. S.
| Minnesota; promoted to first. class fire.
man May 26th, 1857. and served as such
| to June 10th, 1853, when discharged.
| He re enlisted as first class fireman
| July 18th, 1861, and served on the
North Carolina to July 9th, 1861; on
the Richmond from July 28th, 1861,
| to August Goth, 1864; on the Princeton
from August Both. 1864, to September
9th, 1864, when ono ably discharged.
Joseph E. Vantine was the first man
to suggest the use of chain cables hung
over the sides of vessels for protection
from the enemy's missiles, and the eff.
cheney of the device was demonstrated
by Commodore Farragut's squadron on
the lower Mississippi in April, 1862 in
the passage of Forts jackson and st.
Phillip, and the encounter with the
Confederate ram, and it resulted in
the capture of New Orleans, La. This
chain armor was used afterwards on
board the Kearsarge in her capture iof
the Alabama.
| In the attack on Fort Hudson, La,
March 18th, 1863, shot from the
enemy's guns struck the boilers of the
Richmond, and the fire room and other
parts of the vessel were filled with
steam. when he, under great difficult
ties drew the fires from under the
boilers and prevented them from ex-
ploding thus saving the ship and PER-
haps many lives. While this was being
done, he became exhausted from the
heat and cooking steam, and had to be
relieved every few moments, until by
his persistent intrepidIty and assiduous
efforts the grand work was accom-
plished. For this heroic act he re-
ceived special complimentary mention
,, in the admiral's report, and was after
wards presented with bronze medal
, of HONOR" by act of Congress.
Joseph L. Vantine in now pensioned
at So per month, under the act of
June 9th, 1890
The proof submitted to your commit
tee shows that claimant received an
| injury TO MS pack ABOUT July. lool,
while removing part of an iron ven
tiator from the port coal bunker OF his
vessel, and that this injury was en-
l haneed and the disability aggravated
by the arduous work at Port Hudson,
Q La, in March, 1868, and the disability
has increased with his advancing years
? and that he had stroke of apoplexy
August 9th, 1895, and is now suffering
! with complete paralysis of the right t
side and entire loss Of the power Of
Q speech and that he is now totally and
permanently helpless, and, his ply
7 sician says, will probably never be
I any better y He has three minor chill
Q csten and his wife, entirely dependent
I and with no income except his small
q pension; and he is now in such condi
tion as TO require the care and atten-
Q tiun OF another person.
n In view of the testimony, from which
7 it is reasonable TO conclude that his
y paralysis is result of his naval SER
9 vice, and in view of his gallant and
meritorious service, your committee
| oornastlv ranom mmand tha naaHn0a of the