The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-22
COUSINS PRAISES THE CREW.
TREMENDOUS ROUND OF APPLAUSE
FOLLOWS THE TRIBUTE.

The speech the PrettieSt Yet DeIiv-
cred in the House Appertnining To
the sad Disaster-The House Passes
the Bill for the Relief of the Sur
vivOrs and the victims of the
Maine.
Washington. March 21-The House to-
day unanimously passed the bill for the
relief of the survivors and victims of the
Maine. The bill reimburses the surviving
officers and men for the losses they sus-
tanned to an amount not to exceed a years
sea pay and directs the payment of a
sum equa; 70 years pay TO the legal
heirs of those who persisted.
There was quite a spirited debate over
an amendment suggested by Mr. Cannon
10 give the survivors each a years pay
out of hand. instead of attempting to re-
imburse them for actual losses, Mr.. Can
non and Mr.. Boutelie having particular
~ warm passage at arms. Some old al
legged scandals in connection with the re-
endorsement of the survivors of the Sa-
moan disaster were raked up, but the de-
bate IN the end was saved from a rather
the gallant dead by Mr.. Cousins of Iowa
in a short but eloquent speech.
Mr.. Cousins said: The measure now
proposed is most appropriate and just, but
hardly is ii menuOnable in contemplation
of the great calamity to which it apper-
tains. 1t Will be merely an incidental,
legislative fOot-note to a page of history
that will be open TO the eyes of the re-
q ~ of 44.. Fs,r. oil
come. No human speech can add any
thing to the silent gratitude, the speech
less reverence already given by a great
and grateful nation TO its dead defenders
and to their living kin. No act of Con-
gresS providing for their needs can make
a restitution for their sacrifice Human
nature does in human ways, its best and
still feels deep in debt. Expressions Of
coincidence have come from every country
and from every cline and every nerve of
steel and ocean cable has carried on cleo
trio breath the sweetest, tenderest words
OF sympathy for that gallant crew who
manned the Maine"
After paying a high and f1owery tribute
to the men of the Maine, Mr. Cousins
closed with these words:
''Hovering above the dark waters of the
mysterious harbor of Havana, the black
winged vulture watches for the belated
the eagles piercing eye, sternly watching
for the truth Whether the appropriation
carried by this resolution shall be ulti-
mately charged to fate or to some foe,
shall soon appear Meanwhile, patient
and patriotic people, enlightened by the
lessons of our history, remembering the
woes of war, both to the vanquished and
victorious, are ready for the truth and
for their duty"
There was a tremendous round of ap-
plause when Mr.. Cousins concluded his
beautiful tribute.
Mr.. Wheeler, Dem. of Alabama, follow
ed in similar strain, concluding with the
declaration that it was Gods will that
Cuba should be free.
After the passage of the bill Mr.. Meslck,
Rep, of Michigan, from committee on
elections No. 8. presented the majority re-
port in the contested election case of Wise
versus Young The report is in favor of
the contestant. The minority was given
ten days in which to file their report
The remainder of the day was occupied
in the consideration of the claim of John
Roach, the ship builder, for $3.50 No
action was taken upon the claim.
At o'clock the House took a recess
until o'clock, the evening session being
devoted to the consideration of private
pension bills.