The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-22
MAINE RELIEF Bill
House PASSES it Unanimously
After Much Debate.
TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD
By Mr.. Cousins Ends an Un-
dignifed SquabbIe.

| Washington. March 21.-The house to-
day unanimously passed the bill for the
relief of the survivors and victims OF the
Maine disaster. The bill reimbures the
surviving officers and men for the losses
they sustained to an amount not to ex-
coed a years pay and directs the pay
ment of a sum equal to years pay TO
the legal heirs of those who persisted.
There was quite a spirited debate over
an amendment suggested by Mr.. Cannon
to give the survivors each a years pay
out of hand instead Of attempting 10 re-
imburse them for actual losses. Some
| old alleged scandals in connection with
! the reimbursement of the survivors OF the
Samoan disaster were raked up, but the
debate in the end was saved from
| rather sordid tone by beautiful tribute
paid to the gallant dead by Mr.. Cousins
of Iowa, in a short but eloquent speech.
He aroused the galleries to spontaneous
| applause. The remainder of the day was
occupied in the consideration of the old
| claim of John Roach. the ship-builder,
for 1891, 900. No action was taken upon
! the claim.
The blind chaplain of the house in his
invocation prayed that the members
might meet with patience the problems
of the week and dispose Of them to the
best interests of all concerned.
THE MAINE RELIEF BILL.
Immediately after the reading of the
| journal the speaker recognized Mr.. Bou-
telle (Rep., Me), chairman of the COM
tmittee on naval affairs who called up the
bill for the relief of the survivors and
victims of the Maine disaster.
Mr.. Boutelle said that the purpose and
provisions of the bill were we'll under
stood and so far as he was concerned
he thought debate unnecessary. Still, he
was ready to yield to the desire of the
house.
Mr.. Bailey said there was no disposition
on his side of the house to debate the
bill. Such matters as members on his
side desired to debate in connection with
the disaster they would reserve for the
naval appropriation bill. He gave notice
of an amendment he would offer. With
out debate, therefore, the bill was read
by sections for amendment.
Several committee amendments were
agreed to.
Mr.. Cannon. chairman of the committee
| on appropriations. offered an amendment
to allow the surviving officers and men
| twelve months pay without rations in
! full compensation for losses sustained by
them. This provision he thought prefer
able to one to indemnify them for the
losses sustained limited in amount to
twelve months sea pay. He called atten-
| ton 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 actual losses
might lead some of the survivors into
the temptation of magnifying their claim
| There would also be this advantage in
voting directly a years sea pay: It
would obviate delay and the mediation
OF claims attorneys. While congress was
doing this act of justice. he said, 1t
should do the generous thing.
Mr.. BouteIle at this point concluded
that as debate was TO be INDUCED in, It
would be well for him to make a general
statement. He then explained briefly that
1t was the idea of the committee that
I
victims of the Maine disaster as II had
been to those who suffered in the Sa-
moan disaster and the bill had been
drawn along the lines of the bill passed.
for the relief of the Samoan victims The
committee did not believe the survivors
should be reimbursed beyond the actual
losses incurred. The provision relating
to the filing of schedules OF losses. made
and sworn to. had been carefully hedged
about and could not be criticised success
fully
Mr. Bailey asked what the sea pay of
the highest officer of the unfortunate
vessel was.
Captain sigsbee's pay IS about s450o -
answered Mr.. Boutelle.
Then. under the proposed amendment.
ne 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 sa-
moan victims?"
about $4,000"
Mr.. Boutelle said that he did not i'm
agine that Captain Sigsbee or any other
Of the gallant officers Of the Maine would
dream Of being reimbursed beyond the
amount Of the losses thew sustained
Mr.. Boutele and Mr.. Cannon held 2
rather spirited exchange of personalities.
The former criticised the latters attitude
toward the bill. and the latter said he
was responsible to his constituents and
the general public sentiment ~ the coun-
try, not 70 the gentleman from Maine.
for his position.
The gentleman doesn't live on Gods
footstool." said he. who possesses the
ability To merit the appreciation Of the
gentleman from Maine" 0.aughterD
Proceeding. Mr.. Cannon again advo-
Gated his amendment pointing out tina;
the average value Of the regular equip
nent OF a ships crew was sec. vet in al
most every instance the members ot the
crews OF the ships which went down al
Samoa obtained practically a years sea
ray. AS practical legislator. he thought
his amendment was wise and should be
adopted.
Nj Bailey said that at first Re Rad
been disposed 20 favor the Cannon amend
rnent- He had heard something Of the
'AUep'S