The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1898-02-23
MASON AND WOLC0TT
Supply the Interesting Portion OF
the Entertainment in
the Senate.
ILLINOIS MAN OPENS UP ON SPAIN,
And Makes "a Remark Interpreted by VOL
cott as AN lmputation ON the Honor of
the Navy rnent-Consequentiy the
Fur Flies Colorado Statesman speaks
rndsr strong Pressure and Rakes the iii
nOisaii, Who RepiirSsyit Disclaimer.


noisan. who Repli-S.vith Disclaimers.
Washington, Feb. f9.-There was a
genuine sensation in the senate yes
terday over the Maine disaster, in which
Mason and Wolcott got all tangled up
with each other and the Colorado SEN
ator gave the Illinois statesman some
very hard rubs to which Mason warmly
replied. The resolution offered Thurs
day by Allen OF Nebraska directing the
committee on naval affairs TO make an
immediate investigation of the disas-
ter to the Maine was laid before SEN
ute, and Chandler thought that If the
word immediate" be stricken out and
the matter he left within the discretion
of the committee there would be no OBJ
lection to the resolution. Mason pro-
posed an amendment striking out all
after the word resolved and inserting
the following BY the senate and house
of representatives concurring. that a
joint committee OF five. consisting Of
three members OF the house of repre-
sentatives and two members of the SEN
ate, be appointed to investigate the dis
aster to the battleship Maine"
Hale Asks for IA Withdrawal.
Hale expressed the hope that Mason
would not press his substitute. The
disaster he SAID, was even now being
thoroughly investigated by the execu-
tive department of the government and
that as soon as tangible results were
reached the facts would be communi-
Gated 10 congress. Hale urged Mason
to withdraw his substitute as it would
tend only to embarrass the executive
department. II had hoped" said Hale
that this entire matter might be dis
posed of today without debate. 1t seems
to me that in the circumstances and
in the light of the utmost facilities, il is
idle to indulge in debate" Hale said
he was willing TO withdraw his OBJ
jections to the resolution Of Allen, but
the substitute suggested by Mason was
even more Objectionable in its form.
Didn't Want To BE Infiam matory.
Mason followed Hale in a speech re-
plete with sensational utterances. He
said in beginning that he had no dis
position TO infame situation already
so exciting. but he felt that his sub
stitute was fully justified by the feel
lngS ana desires OF the people. Il unuef-
stand" said he. that the navy depart
ment is making an investigation of the
disaster. but also understand that con-
gress has the authority to make an in
vestigation. 1t is congressional in
vestigation that the people are demand
ing. They are fast coming TO the con-
clusion that matters concerning this
Cuban affair including the De LONE
letter incident and the loss Of the
Maine, OF which they ought to know, are
being concealed from them. The people
want to know the facts and they will
know them"
No Reflection On Anybody's Honor.
Mason said he did not desire to re-
fleet upon the motives or honor of any
body, but he suggested that the officials
of the navy department in making their
investigation would be trying their own
case and would naturally endeavor to
cover up any blame that might attach
to them. THE trouble with us is" de-
clared Mason, with great vehemence,
that we have adopted the Spanish
policy of putting everything off until
tomorrow. Let the investigation of this
disaster to our navy and to our country
be thoroughly investigated by congress
and then we shall know that il will be
done right"