The record-union., 1898-03-22

Ii S0OuIu
+ be reimbursed beyond the actual losses
incurred. The provision relating to the
filing of the schedule of losses, made
and sworn to, had been carefully
hedged about and could not be criti-
cised successfully.
Bailey asked what the sea pay of the
highest officer of the unfortunate yes
sci was.
Captain Sigsbee's pay is about ST.
500,' answered Boutelle
Then under the proposed amendment
he would receive that amount, no mat
ter what losses he had sustained?'
Exactly"
What was the largest amount paid
under the bill for the relief of the Sa
moan victims?'
about $1,000"
Boutelle said he did not imagine that
Captain Sigsbee or any of the gallant
officers of the Maine would dream of
being reimbursed beyond the actual
amount Of the losses they sustained.
Boutelle and Cannon had rather
spirited exchange of personalities. The
former criticised the latter's attitude
toward the bill. and the latter said
he was responsible to his constituents
and the general public sentiment of the
country, not to the gentleman from
Maine, for mis- position.
THE gentleman does not live on
Gods footstool," said he, who pos
sesses the ability to merit the appro-
baton of the gentleman from Maine"
Continued laughter)
! Proceeding, Cannon again advocated
his amendment pointing out that the
average value of the regular equip
ment of a ships crew was $66 yet in
almost every instance the members OF
the crews of the ships which went
down at Samoa obtained practically a
years sea pay. AS a. practical legis-
lator, he thought his amendment was
wise and should be adopted.
Bailey said at first he had been dis
posed 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-
vision in the bill preferable. He had
long been of the opinion that the best
part of the Lords Prayer was con-
| tanned in the words, Lead us not into
! temptation" But the amendment would
make it more profitable not to fall than
to fall. 1t would give the honest man
more than the dishonest man would
claim.
! Hilborn (R.) of California denied en-
lphatically that there had been any at
mosphere of fraud in connection with
the Samoan Act. Several Of the ott1-
GERS claimed nothing at all, and all OF
/ them claimed only small fraction of
their salaries.
| Cousins (R.) of Iowa changed the
whole tenor of the debate at this
| juncture by the delivery of brief but
eloquent tribute to the American sailors
who went down with the Maine. Cous-
ms said:
1.-THE measure now proposed is most
Inappropriate and just, but hardly IS 1t
mentionable in contemplation OF the
great calamity to which it appertalns.
1t will be merely an incidental legls-
lative foot-note to a page of history
! that will be open to the eyes OF the
Republic and of the world for all time
to come. No human speech can add
ANYTHING to the silent gratitude, the
speechless reverence already given by
q great and grateful nation to it's dead
defenders and to their living kin. NO
Act of Congress providing for thelf
needs can make a restitution for their
sacrifice. Human nature does, in hu-
man ways. it's best, and still is deep III
debit Expressions of coincidence nave
come from every country ana from
every cline, and every nerve OF steer
and ocean cable has carried on elec-
trio breath the sweetest, tendereSt
words of sympathy for that gallant
crew who manned the Maine
After paying a high and hoWery
tribrte to the men of the Maine, Cous-
ms closed with these words: Hover
ing above the dark waters or thaC
mysterious harbor of Havana, the
black-winged vulture watches Tor the
belated dead, while over it and over
all there is the eagles piercing eye
sternly watching for the truth. Wheth-
err the appropriation carried by TINS
resolution shall be ultimately charged
TO fate or some foe shall soon appear.
Meanwhile a patient and a patriotic
people. enlightened by the lessons OF
our history, remembering the woes OF
war both to the Yanquished and VIC
torious. are ready for the truth ana
for their duty.
There was tremendous round Oh
applause when Cousins concluded his
tribute.
Wheeler Cd of Alabama followed
in a similar strain concluding with the
declaration that it was Gods will that
Cuba should be free.
The Cannon amendment was lost
without division.
Bailey offered an amendment to in
sert the word dependent" before par
ent or parents in the section making
them the beneficiaries under the bill
in certain contingencies. 1t was re-
iected-60 to 160-as was another to
strike out the words land if their be
no parent, the brothers and sisters
etc.
Without further amendment the bill
was then passed unanimously.
Mesick (R) of Michigan, from the
Committee on Elections No. 3, present
ed the majority report in the contested
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.
The House then went into Commit
tee of the Whole and took up the pri-
vate calendar.
The Senate bill to satisfy the claim of
the legal representatives of John
Roach, amounting to 1891, Isl for la
Dor. material and dockage furnished
by Roach and the occupation of his
yards by the gunboats Chicago, Bos-
ton and Atlanta was taken up out of
its order, and a long and bitter fight
followed
Without action upon the claim the