The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-02
And the Senate Votes to Erect a
Bronze Tablet in Memory OF Those
Who Lost Their Lives.
DEBATE ON Mr. LIQUIDS BILL
IMPORTANT POsTOFFICE MEASURE
DISCUSSED BY THE HOUSE.
100000 n Year Paid for Carrying
Mail Matter That Yields but
$S,OOO,OOO Revenue.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-Shortly after
the Senate convened to-day Dir. Perkins,
of the committee on naval affairs, presented
favorable report on Mr.. Bacon's resoiu-
ton providing for the erection in Statuary
Hall of the Capitol of a bronze memorial
tablet, commemorative of the officers and
sailors who lost their lives in the Maine
disaster in Havana harbor In the course OF
his report on the resolution Mi Perkins
said: 1T is fitting at all times for a nation
to recognize the heroism of those who have
yielded up their lives in its service In this
respect no nation is more generous than
ours. 1t has stood, and still stands, ready
to show it's appreciation Of bravery and de-
votion to duty. 1t cares for its helpless vet
Grams who battled on land and sea; It
strives to mitigate the hardships imposed
on those who were grievously wounded
while fighting for the flag, and, as far as
possible it seeks to aid the widows and
orphans OF our dead soldiers and sailors.
But it Is not in battle alone that heroic
qualities are shown, neither is it only in
time of war. Death may come in the per-
Torrance Of duty while peace reigns, as
we'll as while the conflict RACES. But wheth-
er in war or in peace, the soldier and the
sailor stand ever ready to give their lives
so die they die like heroes and deserve well
OF their country.
Every man who stood beneath the flag
of the battle ship Maine had, by his very
presence on it's decks, signified his willing
ness TO die for the defense OF the Nation
and the maintenance of the national honor.
He was ever ready to go where duty called,
whether to brave tempestuous seas or to re-
turn shot for shot with his country's enc
mics. When death came in the awful shape
it took in the harbor of Havana, the dead
are no less heroes than if they had fallen
before hostile guns. The living h1ve shown
the heroic mold in which all were cast. If
it were ever fitting to recognize the devo-
ton to the country of brave men it is now
fitting to erect tablet in memory of those
who lost their lives in the destruction of
the Maine The sailors of the navy have
ever been the pride of the Nation, their
heroism has been recognized throughout
the world and their deeds have brought
forth praises from all chivalrous peoples.
What the sailors of the old and glorious
fleets of the United States have been, that
are the sailors Of the new navy of our
country The great disaster at Havana has
shown that there exists the mdonltanie
fleets victorious and which is assurance
that victory will still follow our flag on
men are brave so shall we compel and
maintain that respect among nations which
is as necessary to national prosperity as the
respect of his fellows is to the prosperity of
the Individual
Mr.. Morrill, suggested that Statuary Hall
was scarcely a proper place to erect the
place for it might better be designated.
The resolution was so amended as TO pro-
vide for the erection of the tabletat some
suitable place in the Capitol. AS amended
the resolution was adopted.
Mi Hoar then renewed his motion Of yes
terday that the Senate disagree to the
House amendments to the bankruptcy bill
and that a committee Of conference be ap-
pointed.
involuntary bankruptcy bill at such time
as this, and he wished before the measure
was sent to conference to present some
information on the subject that would be
valuable to the conferees. The House bill
assumes, Mr.. Stewart began, that any
man who cannot pay his debts is a Grim
inal. 1t is the most atrociouS bill that
could be framed in the present condition Of
the country.
Mr. Hoar said he thought the Senate con-
ferees might be trusted properly to repre-,
sent the Senate on the bill, and he appealed
to Mr. Stewart to permit the measure to go
to conference without further debate;
mo appeal to me need be made in behalf
of this diabolical bill, exclaimed Mr.. Stew
art. II propose to discuss this matter fully
in order that not only the conferees but
the country may know what this bill
means"
Mr. Stewart spoke until o'clock, when
the Alaska homestead and right Of way bill
was laid before the Senate, Mr.. Stewart an
nouncing that he would continue his adj
dress tomorrow.
Mr. Rawlins continued his speech begun
yesterday in opposition to the general fea-
lures of the bill. He reiterated his charge
that the bill as framed gave dishonest spec
ulators a marked advantage over the pub
lie generally. 1t enabled them, he said, to
ribbon the district of Alaska with paper
rights of way which would enable them to
control an enormous amount or land for an
almost indefinite period
Mr. Lindsay inquired whether the bill pro-
Vided that railroads should charge specified
rates for freights and passengers. lie had
noted that the rates of toll to be charged
by tramways and wagon roads should be
approved by the secretary of the interior,
but he could find no such limitation upon
railroads.
Mr. Allen, member of the committee
on public lands, said that it was his under
standing that a provision covering the mat
ter of railroad rates had been inserted in
the bill, and if it was not there the bill
was a miSprint.
Mr. Carter explained that the committee
had not thought it desirable TO put pro-
vision in the bill regulating the charges
to be made by railroads, as that was dis
state-commerce law. He said that no such
provisions as that referred to by Mr.. Allen
had ever been contemplated.
Mr. Rawlins in conclusion said he thought
Congress ought to legislate for the people
and not for the land sharks and fake rail-
roads. The pending bill, he said. gave arbi-
trary power to a government officer to dis
pose of some of the most valuable of fran
chises He thought the measure was i'll
drawn and badly considered. Good govern
ment demanded that no such bill should go
on the statute books. The rights in Alas
ka were the common property of all, and
Mr. Rawlins held that well-considered legis-
lation should be provided for all the people
who might desire to go to that district.
The Senate then. at 3:35 p. m, went into
executive session and at 3:45 p. IA. adj
journed.