The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-22
THE ROUSE.
Bill for Relief of Survivors and Vic
TINS of the Nininc Is Pnsseh.

| Bill for Relief of Survivors and Vic
| Tins of the Maine Is Passed.
| Washington March q The house today
unanimously passed the bill for the re
lief of the survivors and victims of the
Maine disaster, The bill reimburses the
surviving men for the losses sustained TO
the amount not to exceed year 5 sea pay
and includes tine payment of a sum equal
to a years pay to the legal heirs OF those
who persisted. There was quite a sf!li ed
Gebate over an amendment suggested b.
MIR. Cannon TO give the survivors years
SEA pay.
A beautiful tribute was paid TO the ere"
of the Maine by Mr.. Cousins (Rcp., Iowa.,
which was received with great applause.
The remainder of the day was occupied
in the consideration OF the old claim OF
John Roach, for 1881 900. No action was
taken on the claim.
Washington, March 2l.--The blind chap
lain of the house in his Invocation today
PRAYED that the members might meet win
patience the problems OF the week and dis
pose Of them to the highest ana pest m
tsrests Of all concerned.
Immediately after the reading O. the
journal the speaker recognized Mr. Boh-
telle (Rep., Maine) chairman OF the naval
affairs committee, who called up the bill
for the relief of the survivors and victims
CT the Maine disaster
Mr.. Bcutele said that the purpose ard
provisions Of the bill We're Wei undeT-
stood and SO far as ne was concerned ne
thought debate unnecessary sun ne 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 hill
sired 10 speak about in connection with
the bill they would reserve for the naya
nrnropriation bill lie gave notice OF an
amendment he would offer.
Without debate, therefore, the bill was
read by sections for amendment Several
minor committee amendments were agiend
TO-
Mr. Cannon. chairman Of the commit
tee on appropriations offered an ament-
ment 10 allow the surviving officers ana
men twelve months sea pay without "a
tions In fun compensation for Losses sus-
t.ined by them. This provision he Thought
Preferable TO one to indemnify them 'or
The loss sustained limited IN amount 70
one months pay. He called attention 10
the fact that in the case OF the samoan dis-
pster the compensation for actual losses
m,eht lead some of tire survivors INTO the
temutatlon of magnifying their claims,
while congress was doing this act OF JUS
tioe, he said. 1t would 60 the generous
thing.
MIR. Boutelle at this point conlcIdgd as
debate was to be INDUCED in thai J, wouia
he well for him 10 make a geDTai stn's,
ment. He then explained briefly that II
Was the idea of the committee that con-
eress should be as liberal towards me VIC
inns OF the Maine disaster Us J. had D'ei.
toward those who suffered in tlia sam "A
disaster and the bill bad been drawn aiops
tho lines OF the bill pessed for the relief
OF the samoan victims. The committee did
not believe the survivors should b. rem
h,rscd beyond the actual losses inshr'el.
Tho provision relating 10 the s1hs1uis ~
Iesses made and sworn TO had bsen ene
icised successfully.
Mr.. Bailey asked what the sea pay OF IN
hirhrst officer Of the unfortunate vesssi
was -. elnoo ;,