Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-21
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Mar. q.
SENATE.


con introduced an amendment which
he announced he would offer to the
resolution providing for the annexa-
ton of the Hawaiian Islands to the
United States. The amendment pro-
vides that the resolution shall not be
eff, Give until the question of annexa-
ton shall have been submitted to the
qualified electors of Hawaii and passed
upon affirmatively by them.
Mr.. Allen secured the passage of a
resolution, calling upon the Secretary
of the Interior for information as to the
number OF all classes of pensioners, in.
Guiding the percentage of men and
women and children, carried on the
pension rolls.
Mr.. Allen announced that on Thurs
day next at the conclusion of the morn
ing business, Mr.. Thurston would adj
dress the Senate upon the condition OF
affairs on the Island of Cuba.
The Senate ut AS p. NJ, went into
executive session and at 80 p. N. ad-
jourDed.
HOUSE.
The Speaker recognized Mr. Boutelle,
chairman of the committee on naval
affairs, who called up the bill for the
relief of the survivors and victims OF
the Maine disaster.
Mr.. Boutelle said the provisions OF
the bill were we'll understood and so
far as he was concerned ne thought de-
bate unnecessary. Still, he was ready
TO yield to the desire of the House.
Mr.. Bailey said there was no DISPOSE
ton on his side of the House to debate
the bill. Such matters as members on his
side desired to speak about in cOnnec-
ton with the disaster they would re-
serve for the naval appropriation
bill. He gave notice of an amendment
be would offer.
Without debate, therefore, the bill
was read by sections for amendment.
Several minor committee amend.
meuts were agreed to.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the COM
mittee on appropriations, offered an
amendment to allow the surviving Off
GERS and men twelve months sea pay
without rations in full compensation for
losses sustained by them. This provi-
sion, he thought, preferable 10 one to
indemnify them for the losses sustained
| limited in amount to twelve months sea
LAY. He called attention TO the fact
that in the case of the Samoan disaster
the compensation in each case was
about the maximum. He thought a
provision for compensation for actual
losses might lead some of the survivors
into the temptation of magnifying their
claims. There would be also this ad-
vantagei in voting directly years pay
it would obviate delay and the media
ton of claims attorneys. While Con-
gress was doing this act OF justice, he
said, it would do the generous thing.
MIR. Boutelle said it was the idea oil
the committee that Congress should be
as liberal toward the victims Of the
Maine disaster as it had been toward
those who suffered in the Samoan disas-
ter and the bill had been drawn along
the lires OF tina bill passed for the relief
of the Samoan victims.
Mr.. Bailey asked what the sea pay oil
the highest officer of the unfortunate
f. vessel was.
Capt. Sigsbee's pay is about 81 500, j
answered Mr.. Boutele.
Then under the proposed amend
ment he would receive that amount no
matter what losses he had sustained:
Exactly"
"What was the largest amount paid
under the bill for the relief of the Sd
moan victius2'
"About $1,000
Mr.. Boutelle said he did not imagine
that Captain Sigsbee or any other OF
the gallant officers of the Maine would
dream of being reimbursed beyond the
actual amount of the losses they sus-
tanned.
MIR. Boutelle and Mr.. Cannon had a
rather spirited exchange of personals
ties. The former criticised the latter's
attitude toward the bill and the latter
ssid he was responsible to his con-
stituents and the general public senti-
ment of the country, not the gentleman
from Maine, for his position.
1.-THE gentleman does not live on
Gods footstool," said he, who pos
seases the ability to merit The approba-
ton of the gentleman from Maine"
(Laughter.)
Mr.. Bailey said at first he had been
disposed to favor the Cannon amend
ment. He had heard something of the
scandal in connection with the Samoan
act and did not desire a repetition of
that disgraceful episode. But upon
closer examination he thought the pro-
vi sion in the bill preferable. He had
long been of the opinion that the best
part of the Lords Prayer was contained
in the words, LEAD us not into temp.
tation." But this amendment would
make it more profitable not to fall than
to fall 1t would give to the honest
man more than the dishonest man
would claim.
Mr.. Cousins changed the debate by
paying a fowery tribute to the men
of the Maine. He closed with these
words "Hovering above the dark
waters of that mysterious harbor of Ha
vana, the black winged culture watches
for the belated dead, while over'it and
over all there is the eagles piercing
eye, sternly watching for the truth.
Whether the appropriation carried By
this resolution shall be ultimately
-" -oed to fate or to some foe, shall
saon o, -~tDhile. a patient
end patriotic people, enlightened by
the lessons of our history, remembering
the woe5 Of var, bojh to thu vanquish-