Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-24
TO SAVE The SHIP.
Money Appropriated to Recover
the Belongings of the Maine.
A FURIOUS DEBATE PaECIplTA1ED.
Senator AllSn'a Resolution stirs Upths Sea-
ste-Ths House Passes the senate
Maine Resolution ard Debates
the Bankruptcy BILL


the senate met yesterday Mr.. Hale, Of
Maine, obtained the floor and intro
duced the following joint resolution:
That the secretary Of the navy be and he 10
hereby authorized to engage the services OF .
wrecking company or companies having proper
facilities for the prompt and eiicient per-
Torrance OF submarine work for the purpose
Of recovering the remains Of the of1cers and
men lost on the United States steamer Maine
and Of saving the vessel or such parts thereof
and so much Of her stores, guns. material,
equipment, fittings and appurtenances Is may
be practicable; and for this purpose the sum OF
t20O0O or so much thereof o. may be neces-
sarc is hereby appropriated ind made imme-
diately available.
The resolution was prepared at the
navy department and introduced at
the request Of Secretary Long. who, in
forwarding it to Mr.. Hale, also sent q
letter explaining its purpose. Mr.. Ma
son proposed an amendment that pro-
vision be made for the transportation
OF the bodies to the United States and
for their burial in this country. The
amendment was agreed to and the
resolution as amended was passed.
The resolution offered Thursday by
Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, directing the
committee on naval affairs to make an
investigation Of the disaster to the
Maine was then laid before the senate.
1t precipitated the most furious de-
bate. An arrangement had been made
for its adoption. with minor amend
ment, without debate. Mr.. Mason, of
Illinois, however, proposed substi-
tute providing for an investigation to
be conducted by joint committee Of
the two branches OF congress- Upon
this, the Illinois senator, disregard
ing an appeal not to force dis
cussion at the time Of SO mel
ancholy an affair, delivered
speech in which he said that
the people demanded the truth con-
corning the explosion, and declared
that they would not be satisfied with
the investigation to be conducted by
the officers Of the navy, who would
virtually try their own case and would
cover up any blame that the officials
might show attached to them. He
fiercely denounced the policy Of the
government in dealing with the Cuban
question, into which he went at length,
and declared that the United States
had adopted the policy of Spain in
putting everything off until tomorrow.
Sharp replies to Mr.. Mason's charges
were made by Mr. Wolcott, Of Colo
RADIO, and Mr.. Lodge, Of Massachu-
setts Mr.. Wolcott declared that mot
a patriotic citizen in this broad land
has not the fullest and most splendid
and glorious confidence in every de-
partment Of this government and In
the department of the navy particu-
larly." Mr.. Wolcott thought this was
a time when we should refrain from
gratuitous insult to friendly nation
and from unjust and ignorant criti-
cism. war may come" said
he. II think myself the day
may not be far distant. When
that day comes, our course must be
eternally grounded on the right War
is grim decision, and when it comes
1t must come so that the people Of the
world can at least respect our conduct
and our position. And, above all, 1t
must come under circumstances which
make us respect ourselves"
Mr.. Lodge, in brief speech, defend.
ed the honor OF the navy and Secre-
tary Long, Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt and OF the naval officers. The
resolution which precipitated the dis
cussion finally went to the calendar.
Pending motion then made by Mr..
Hale that the senate 70 into executive
session, Mr.. Bacon, Of Georgia, intro
duced the following joint resolution:
That there shall be prepared, under the d.
rection Of the secretary Of the navy and b.
place on the wall Of the statuary hall In the
capitol building bronze tablet commemora-
tive Of the oficers and men Of the United States
navy, who persisted In the loss OF the battle
ship Maine In the hsrbor Of Havana, Febru-
ary Is, 1893 The said tablet shall contain tho
names Of said officers and men, and shall be an
enduring memorial to their honor and per-
petua token Of the sorrow Of the nation.
The resolution further appropriates
sufficient sum of money to carry tho
resolution into effect. 1t was referred
to the committee On naval affairs fairs ,,,,
executive session. At 1855 the senate
resumed business in open session for
the purpose Of considering resolutions
on the death Of Hon. Ashley B. Wright,
late representative from Massachu-
sets. At $40 p. M, as further mark
OF respect, the senate adjourned until
Monday next.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-The house
debated the bankruptcy bill until
noon, and then, Immediately after the
reading of the journal, Mr.. Boutelle,
of Maine, chairman Of the naval COM
mittee, asked unanimous consent for
the consideration Of the resolution
prepared by the navy department and
passed by the senate. The mere mem
ton of the Maine disaster on the floor
brought members in crowds from the
cloakrooms and lobbies, and they
thronged down the aisles TO listen.
Mr.. Sulzer, Of New York, asked Mr..
Boutelle If he had any information
otherwise that threw any light upon
the cause of the disaster. II must re-
ply as l did Thursday" replied Mr..
Boutelle, that | regret to say l have