The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-30

medals Tor his of1cerS and bronze med
ais for the members of his crew. 1t
also places Captain Hodgsdon of the
McCulloch on permanent waiting orders
at full pay. The resolution was adopted
without debate.
Mr.. Hale of Maine OF the naval COM
mittee then reported f~avorably a reso-
luton rendering the thanks Of congress
to Nav Constructor Hobson. who. with
his crew of sever men, sank the collier
Merrimac across the entrance to the
harbor of Santiago. and providing for
the transfer of Mr.. Hobson from the
construction corps OF the navy TO the
line. The resolution was also adopted.
After the resolution had been adopted
Mr.. Hoar. addressing himself TO the ac-
ton just taken by the senate. said:
"All we do and all we have done for
Naval Constructor Hobson in recogni-
ton of his distinguished bravery is to
extend to him by name the thank of
congress. But in this case, where a
deed of special heroism was performed.
Il seems to me that we ought 10 recog-
nize the men who volunteered to accom-
pany him On his perilous undertaking.
All were running the same risk and the
names of the entire seven ought to be
mentioned i'm the resolution. | would
be glad TO see this chamber filled with
sucu heroes as those men are"
Mr.. Hoar said that such recognition
by ongress was one of the greatest
marks of honor hat could be conferred
upon any man or men. The resolu-
tions were so amended as to include the
names of the crew who accompanied
Lieutenant Hobson and adopted. Con-
sideration of the general deficiency bill
was then resumed.
The following amendment suggested
by Mr.. Hale gave rise to considerable
debate:
For purchase by condemnation or
otherwise of not less than 500 acres of
land at not exceeding $50 per acre In
Pearl harbor, Hawaiian islands. for a
repair and coaling station. $40, 900. and
for dredging the bar in said harbor to
secure a channel of not less than 80
feet in depth. s105. 900: in all, s145. 000."
Mr.. Spooner suggested that the
amendment was loosely drawn He con-
tended that the Hawaiian stands had
not yet become a part of the United
States, and the land could not. under
existing circumstances, be condemned.
on his suggestion the amendment was
so changed as TO max condemnation
upon condition of il being practical.
Mr.. Pettigrew stated that all the land
around the harbor was owned by pri-
vate parties, and that desirable for pur-
chase by an Englishman named Camp
bell, an anti-annexationist. This man
had told him that he would not part
with his property for less han $75 per
acre: hence il would be necessary to
condemn in order to secure it at "a less
price. The discussion then took the
form of a consideration sof the title of
the United States to Pearl harbor, in
which Messrs. Hale. Spooner, Allen.
Teller, Lindsay n others partici-
pated.
Mr.. Allen contended that the title was
a mere easement, terminating with the
reciprocity treaty. Messrs. Hale and
Spooner contended that 1t was an alb
solute grant, but Mr.. Halls admitted
that IL was practically valueless with
out the power to make improvements
and secure adjoining land. The amend
ment was agreed to.
Mr.. Carter Of Montana offered an
providing 800. 900 for the
payment of the inspectors. superin-
tendents and other employees i'm various
forest reservations and II was adopted.
Mr.. Mantle of Montana secured the
adoption of an amendment providing
that the terms of the United States
courts for the district of Montana shall
be held at Butte. beginning on the first
tuesday OF February and the first
Tuesday of September of each year.
Mr.. Morgan offered an amendment
providing for a commission to settle
the Indebtedness of the government
growing out Of its assistance in the con-
struction of Pacific railroads and pro-
viding further that the funds should
be applied to the construction of a shin
canal through Nicaragua.
Mr.. Pettigrew objected TO the amend
ment, explaining hat his objection was
based on he disposition proposed to be
made of the money received from the
railroads. Mr.. Hale. in charge of the
bill, made a point of order against the
amendment. He said the proposition
would bring on a weeks debate. IMAM
imous consent was given MIR. Morgan
to make a statement concerning the
amendment. After discussing at some
length the existing situation between
the government and the Pacific rail-
road he said IL was evident that the
Nicaragua n was going to be quilt
and be built very soon. When the
senate had carefully considered the
matter he was satisfied not a half doz-
en- votes would be cast against the ca
nal project. The people of the United
States had decided that a waterway
through Nicaragua was absolutely nee
essary to this country as a protection
of our coasts and as a promoter OF
commerce. Mr.. Morgan referred to the
fact that the Atlas company, a British
organization, had been granted by Me
aragua important concessions in the
San Juan river and Lake Managua. This
company, he said. was composed Of
prominent and wealthy men of Eng
land and the United States. He did
not doubt that the Atlas company ex-
pected to receive the concessions which
the United States was about to lose
through delay in taking action.
Mr.. Morgan urged that immediate
action should be taken by congress up
on the canal project. which he regarded
as one OF the most important quas-
lions that has confronted congress for
many years. In conclusion Mr.. Morgan.
in order to ESCAPE the point of order
against the amendment. withdrew that
part OF il relating to the Nicaragua
canal.
Mr.. Wilson OF Washington. n member
of the special committee on the Near
aqua canal. objected. He aid that
the construction Of the canal was 50
vitality important to his state and 10