Evening star., 1898-07-06
Senator Pettigrew Offers Resolution
Of Thanks.
REFERRED TO NAVAL COMMITTEE
Credit for the Destruction of Ger
vera's Vessels.
THE PACIFIC RAILWAYS

0ooh after lut Debate cOuNeTeu tulS
morning Mr.. Hoar CMass.) introduced and
secured the adoption of resolution that
the CON mittee on appropriations be direct
ed to consider and report whether any fur
ther security is necessary for the protec-
ton of the United States against fraud
and extravaganza in contracts, and espe
cially such contracts as are necessary for
the prosecution of the existing war. The
committee is directed to make a thorough
investigation of the subject of govern
ment contracts.
Mr.. Frye (Me) reported from the com
| mittee on commerce bill granting an
American register to the steamer Titania,
owned by John Rosenfield & Sons of San
Francisco. The bill, which contains a pro-
vision that the vessel shall not engage in
the coastwise trade. was passed.
Thanks to Schley.
Mr.. Pettigrew Is. D. offered the follow
| iEg resolution rendering the thanks of Con-
gress to Commodore Schley for destroying
| Admiral Cerveras squadron and asked
| that it be referred to the committee on
| naval affairs:
and the American people are hereby ten
dered to Commodore Winfield S. Schley of
the United States naval force operating
| against the Spanish forces in Cuban
conflict with the enemy. as displayed by
| him in the destruction of the Spanish fleet
| off the harbor of Santiago, Cuba, July 3,
| 1898.
Section 2. That the thanks of Congress
and the American people are hereby ex-
| tended through Commodore :Schley to the
| officers and men under his command for
| the gallantry and skill exhibited by them
on that occasion.
| Section 8. That the President of the
United States be requested to cause this
resolution to be communicated TO Commo-
| dore Schley and through him to .he officers
and men under his command
What does the senator propose to do
with the resolution" inquired Mr.. Hale,
chairman of the naval affairs committee.
II want to have it referred to the COM
| mittee on naval affairs" replied Mr. Petit
grew.
That is all right said Mr.. Hale. "Of
course, it Is impossible for us yet to know
what was the situation off Santiago during
the memorable naval conflict noted in the
resolution. That great credit is due to both
the officers and men of our fleet there can
be no doubt. At this time, however, no one
can tell to whom the credit of the victory
belongs The matter will receive attention
in the official reports to the Navy Depart
ment, and l fully believe equal and exact
justice will be done to all. The committee
Will take up the subject with the Nav. De-
partment as soon as official information is
received"
Commenting upon the resolution Mr. Pet
| tigrew said the impression had been con-
veyed to the public that mot Commodore
Schley, but another man had achieved the
great naval victory.
Il know" he declared 1--WE shall be able
to remove that impression by absolute
proof to the contrary. All the accounts of
the battle agree that Commodore Schley
was in command of the vessels of our fleet
He pursued the last of the Spanish vessels
sixty miles and personally brought to an
end the most remarkable naval duel ever
fought
Sampson had been unfortunate in the
wording of his official announcement of the
victory and in not giving in that dispatch
the credit due to Commodore Schley. He
thought 1t had been due to Schley that the
credit be given him by Sampson but he be-
| lieved the latter would yet do justice to
the commodore.
Mr.. Hale expressed great confidence in
the character and ability of both Admiral
Sampson and Commodore Schley, and said
the conduct and achievements of Schley
during the historic battle had been most
admirable. He felt assured that the little
agitation concerning the bestowal of credit
which was now disturbing some minds
would disappear in the full light of the
facts. There was. he said, glory enough
for all in the destruction of Cervera's fleet
and he had no doubt it would be properly
distributed.
Mr.. Allen (Neb) thought at least a few
days ought to elapSe before action was
taken upon the resolution.
He paid both Sampson and Schley high
tributes as officers and men, and pointed
out that the reason Admiral Sampson was
Iot in the fight was that he was in con-
ference with Major General Shafter as to
future joint plans. He did not doubt that
either Sampson or Schley would meet the
shock of battle with equal courage and
ability.
The resolution went to the naval COM
nlittee.
Mr.. Cannon Utah) called up for consid-
GRAFTON the bill limiting the hours of daily
services of laborers, workmen and mechan-
les employed upon the public works of, or
work done for the United States, or any
territory or the District of Columbia. Its
consideration at this time was antagoni2ed
because it would create debate that would
interfere with the Hawaiian matter Mr.
Cannon's motion to take up the measure
was defeated, 20 to 10.
MIR. White Resumes.
The Hawaiian resolutions were laid be-
fore the Senate and Mr.. White (CaI) re-
sumed his speech in opposition to them.
He addressed the Senate only briefly, urg-
ing that the question Of annexation ought
to be submitted to the Hawaiians them
selves. He thought it was not good policy
or evidence of broad and enduring states
manship to adopt the resolutions in their
present form, and although he realized fully
that they would pass he believed the fu-
ture would justify the action of those op-
posed to them.
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Whites
speech Mr.. Pettigrew resumed his re-
marks, dealing at length with the methods
employed in the erection of the present
Hawaiian republic
Mr.. Allen (Neb) followed with another
extended argument in opposition to annex
alton.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
A large number of thu attendants. upon
the conference of the National Educational
Association were In the galleries when the
House met today. Consideration of the
Pacific railroad amendment to the general
deficiency bill was resumed and Mr. Hill
born (Cal) spoke against it..
''This is not the first effort to secure leg
islation by Congress-" said Mr.. Hilborn, ito
provide plan for the settlement of the
debt owed by the railroads to the govern
ment, but all previous efforts have been
made on the ordinary lines Of congressional
legislation. In each case bill has been in
troduced in the HOUSE and referred to the
committee on Pacific railroads, q commit