Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-18
Resolution Appropriating 100000
for Raising Battleship Maine
Passed by Both Houses.
VESSEL VALUEDAT$
Senator Mason Made Characteristic Remarks
Best Information Strengthened the
Belief That the Disaster Was
Caused by An Accident.

/
offered by Senator Hale, appropriatin,
$500, 900 for raising the battleshlp Main
and saving what property conld b
saved. was passed by the senate withou
| any objection, after being amended s.
| as to authorize the secretary to direc
| that the remains of the officers an,
sailors be brought to the United State
similar resolution. Senator Halcs res
olution was as follows:
That the secretary of the navy BIZ
and is hereby authorized to engage the
services of a wrecking company, or COM
panies having proper facilities fol
prompt and efficient performance of
submarine work, for the purpose of
recovering the remains of the officers
and men lost OH 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 as may be
practicable: and for this purpose the
sum of 100000 or so much thereof a.
may be necessary, is hereby appro
priated and made Immediately avail
able
The resolution was prepared by the
navy department and introduced at the
request of Secretary Long, who, in for
warding it to Mr. Hale. also sent letter
explaining its purpose. He said
1.-The meagre information received re-
Specting the nature and extent Of the
injury sustained by the hull of the
Maine, renders it difficult to determine
at this time whether there is reason
able hope that the vessel herself may
be raised, but it seems probable, as she
lies within the protection of harbor
and is not wholly submerged, much
valuable property may be recovered If
the necessary action is taken without
delay. The vessel, with her stores. guns.
material, equipment, fittings and APP
cost approximately 5000
0O0. The secretary inclosed table
showing the cost of a number of items
OF ordinance and outfit of the vessel.
$500, l52.
Senator Mason's Remarks.
Senator Mason offered an amendment
to the Allen resolution for an investiga-
tion Of the Maine disaster, providing for
a special committee to make the investi-
cation. Senator Hale asked that the
matter be not pushed. Mr.. Mason said
1t was evident that the facts in regard to
Cuba We're being concealed, and that
the policy Of the government was de-
lay; nothing accomplished toward stop
ping the murder of the people in Cuba.
Spat Between WolcOtt and Mason,
Senator Wocott in replying to Mr. Ma
son, resented the statement that there
was any distrust of the navy and espe-
cially during these calamitous and terri
BILE times. The country, said he, will
never stand and listen to insnuations
that our officers will lie He declared
The investigation would be conducted
Fairly. Mr.. WolcOtt said that war might
come, in fact, it might not be far dis
tant, but onr conduct must be such as
TO make us respect ourselves, and make
all other nations respect our position
Mr.. Mason replied that he was sorry the
great admiration Mr.. Wolcott had for
The navy department had not ''sloped
over into the treasury department. Mr..
Hawley said that two investigation
could not go on at once. and at O'clock
the resolution was sent to the calendar
without vote. The senate then went
nto an executive session.
House Concurred in Resolution.
In the house Mr.. Boutelle, in his re-
marks on the Maine resolution. said he
lad no direct information either official
" otherwise, as to the cause of the
Maine disaster. but all information at
land tended to strengthen the belief
hat 1t was due to an accident. The
esolution was adopted without dis
enting vote.