The Somerset reporter., 1898-03-31
AT WASHINGTON.

| A meulGal examination confirmed the
superstition that Admiral Sicard is tenn
porarily incapacitated from active duty
and Capt. Sampson succeeds him. Capt.
Sampson. who now assumes command
of the North Atlantic squadron is re.
garded as one of the best equipped Of
ficers in the navy, having seen active
service during the Civil War and since
then having occupied many important
positions. He is high authority on
naval ordinance of the navy department.
He is about 80 years of age, a student of
naval affairs and is considered an officer
Of exceptional executive ability.
Hardly less important than the assign
ment of Capt. Sampson, was the practi-
cal determination to place Commodore
w. S. Schley in command of the fleet
now assembling at Hampton Roads.
This will consist of the battleships
Massachusetts,, Texas, the cruisers
Brooklyn, Minneapolis and Columbia,
and such other ships as may be later
assigned.
Capt. Robley D. Evans, better known
as Fighting Bob" Evans has been
ordered to take command of the Iowa.
The officers of the Maine who have
been on duty at Havana, have been
ordered home, to await orders, except
Lieut.. Wainwright who will remain at
Havana until all of the wrecking opera.
tions are concluded.
Lieut. Commander Mark and his ma
val companions bearing the report of
the Maine court of inquiry reached
Washington at 80, Thursday night.
The crowd was so dense at the depot
that the party left the train outside the
shed and took carriages for the Ebbtt
house, where the officers spent the
night. They were met at the station by
an official of the navy department, who
informed them that the secretary of the
navy would not receive the report that
night.
Thursday was day big with events at
Washington. commander Manix ar
rived with the report of the conrt of
inquiry. Information was received that
the Spanish fleet of torpedo boats and
torpedo boat distroyers had left Canaries
for Hayti. Capt. sampson was put in
commanded the North Atlantic squad
ron at Key Vest and Admiral Sicard re-
turned because of serious illness and
Commodore Schley started to command
the flying squadron of Hampton Roads.
The Presidents message conveying the
report of the Cuban court of inquiry
was received in the House at Washing.
ton, Monday, and without debate re-
ferred to the committee on foreign re-
lations and the House adjourned out of
respect of the memory of Congressman
Simpkins of Massachusetts whose death
was announced by colleague. Similar
proceedings occurred in the Senate.
There was intense interest in both
branches the galleries were packed to
the doors and immense crowds occupied
every part of the capitol. Senator
Money of Mississippi made speech on
his observations in Cuba on his recent
visit there.
Tuesday, in the Senate was Cuban
field day.
Within five minutes after the Senate
convened, Mr.. Allen of Nebraska, intro
duced resolution recognizing the indie
pende ice of the Cuban republic.
This was followed by resolution
proposed by Mr.. Rawlins of Utah, de-
claring war against Spain.
Mr.. Foraker of Ohio, then introduced
a resolution declaring for such interven-
ton in the Cuban war as would bring
about independence for the Cubans.
Following tins came a resolution by
Mr.. Frye of Maine, demanding that
Cuba be made free.
These resolutions all except Aliens
were referred to the committee on
foreign relations. Senator Mason made
his expected argument in favor of war
with Spain.
The House, Tuesday, pursued the
even tenor of business. There was no
} debate on Cuban affairs.
Secretary Alger announced, Tuesday,
| for publication that the cabinet was a
: unit in favor of President Mckinley IS
message to Congress and are in hearty
accord with him. "How could the Presi-
dent have said more. He gave Congress
the report at once and stated that he
} had forwarded it to Spain and is await
ing her reply. He must take one step
: at time. 1t may be said further that
there need be no fear that he will not
take the next. He has not lost mo.
ment in presenting, not only the Maine
incident, but the whole situation to
Spain. The country can we'll afford to
await the outcome of the negotiations
which will be promptly made known,
whatever the result"