The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-18

DICKER IS
PROFITABLE.
Government Benefited by
Railway Deal.
LAFAYETTE MONUMENT.
Senator on Dearth of Information
About Catastrophe.
DEBATE ON BANKRUPTCY BILL.

washington. Feb. 1s.--After a spirited
debate occupying more than two hours
the senate. by a vote Of "a TO 20, agreed
yesterday 10 the resolution of Mr.. Tur-
pie. declaring the senate's opposition TO
the confirmation of the sale of the Kan
sas Pacific railroad. II was developed
by the discussion that the government
would receive from the sale of the Union
and Kansas Pacific something more
than Sos. 100000. VI percent of the In
debtedness of the roads 10 the United
States. the basis OF settlement being
about 500, 900 600 for the government more
than proposed by the Cleveland admin
Sstration.
Mr.. Thurston of Nevada presented
joint resolution providing for COM
mission 10 supervise the collection OF
q fund among the schools and colleges
for the purpose of erecting a monument
to General Lafayette in the city OF
Paris, France, the same TO be dedicated
on the fourth of July, 1900.
The only reference thus far made 10
the disaster to the Maine was made in
the form OF the following resolution
introduced by Mr.. Allen Of Nebraska
THAT the committee on naval affairs
be directed TO make an immediate and
thorough investigation into the cause
of the disaster TO the battleship Maine
in the harbor OF Havana on the 18th inst
and report to the senate.
Mr.. Hale, chairman Of the naval affairs
committee, had no objection TO the ref
erence OF the resolution but he did not
deem IL desirable for the committee to
proceed. The secretary OF the navy il
engaged in the work. and is employing
all the means in his power TO ascertain
the truth. If the matter were taken
up By the naval affairs committee, the
best that the committee could do would
be TO act through the navy department.
He was satisfied that as soon as the sec
retary of the navy obtained definite in
formation concerning the explosion and
its details he would communicate the
facts to congress.
Mr.. Allen objected to having the reso-
luton sent 10 the committee on naval
affairs. I'VE" he said. who are not
members of the naval affairs committee.
cannot get information from the depart
ments about these things. We are
shut out as completely as If we were
private citizens. think I ought 10 get
on naval affairs or the senate. lido not
care to debate this matter. or to in
dulgs in any extended discussion of IL.
What want is action by the committee
that will give us information"
Mr.. Chandler On. H) objected to the
resolution, and il went over.
The debate on the bankruptcy bill
dragged along listlessly in the house. in
terest in IL being overshadowed by the
Maine disaster. The speeches on the
hoor attracted almost no attention and
were delivered in most Instances to a
handful OF members In the course of
the debate Mr.. Maddox (Dem.. Ga.) re-
Piled to speech made by Mr.. Lands
(Rep.. Ind.) last week before the Middle
sex club of Boston. He denounced Mr..
lands references to the south and her
people as ISLANDERS and said that a man
who would indulge in such representa-
tion at public dinner was unworthy
OF place on the floor OF the house.