The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-22
YEARS SEA PAY
MR.. CANNON'S AMENDMENT
CAUSED QUITE A DEBATE.
COUSINS ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO DEAD
Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. BouteIIe Had a Particu-
larly Warm Passage at Arms An
Attempt to Rack Up Old Sa-
moan Scandals.
moan Scandals.

Washington, ID. c., March 21.-The
House to-day unanimously passed the
bill for the relief of the survivors and
victims of the Maine disaster. The bill
reimburses the surviving officers and
men for the losses they sustained to an
amount not to exceed years sea pay
and directs the payment of sum equal
to years pay to the legal heirs of
these who perisned. There was quito
a spirited debate over an amendment
suggested by Mr.. Cannon to give the
survivors each a years pay out of hand
instead of attempting TO reimburse them
for actual losses. Mr.. Cannon and Mr..
Boutelle having a particularly warm
passage at arms. Some old alleged
scandals i'll connection with reimburse
ment of the survivors of the Samoan dis
aster were racked up but the debate in
the end was saved from the rather sordid
tone by q beautiful tribute paid to 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 it
mientionable i'm contemplation of the
great calamity to which it appertains.
1t will be merely an incidental. legis-
lative foot note to Il page of history that
will lie open to the eyes of the republic
and of the world Tor all time to come
No human speech can add anything to
the silent gratitude, the speeches. rever-
ence already given by great and CRATE
full nation to it's dead defenders and to
their living kin. No act of Congress
providing for their needs can make a
restitution for theli sacrifice. Human
nature does. i'm human ways, dts 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 electric breath. the
sweetest. tenderest words of sympathy
for that gallant crew who manned the
Maine"
After paying Il u4gh and flowery tri-
butte to the men of the Maine, Mr.. Cous-
ms closed with ,hese words:
"HOyering above the dark waters OF
that mysterious harbor of Havana, the
black winged vulture watches for the
belated dead. Wh4e over it and over
all there is lie eagles piercing eye,
strnly watching for the truth. Whether
the appropriation carried by this resoln.
ton shall be ultimately charged to fate
or to some foe. shall soon appear.
Meanwhile, a patient and patriotic peo-
pie. 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 APP
plause when Mr.. Cousins concluded his
beautiful tribute.
Mr.. Wheeler (Dem. Ala.). followed in
a similar strain, concluding with the de-
claration that it was Gods will thar
Cuba should be free. After the pas
sage of the bill Mr.. Mesick rep. Mich),
from Committee on Elections No 3,
presented the majority report in the con-
tested election case of Wise VS.. Young.
The report is in favor of the contestant.
The minority was given TEN days in
which to file their report.
TIE remainder of the day was occu-
pied IL tac consideration of the old
claim Of John Roach, the ship-builed TO-
$331 GOO No action was taken upon
the claim.
At 800 o'clock the House took re-
cess until 8 o'clock the evening session
Icing devoted to the consideration of
private pension bills