Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-18
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Feb. is.
SENATE.

Soon after the Senate met to-day MIR.
Hale obtained the floor and introduced
the following joint resolution:
That the Secretary OF the Navy be
authorized TO engage the services OF a
wrecking company for the purpose OF
recovering the remains of the officers
and men lost on the steamer Maine and
of saving the vessel or such parts there =
of and so much of whas was aboard of
her as may be practicable, and that
100000 be appropriated for that pu!-
pose. The resolution was prepared at
the navy dep irtment and introduced
at the requesU of Secretary Long who,
in forwarding it to Mr.. Hale, also sent
letter explaining its purpose. He
says in this letter that "it is deemed
proper and important that steps should
be taken immediately to recover the
remains of the lost officers and men; to
raise the vessel, or to save such parts
Of er armament as may be practi-
cable"
To this the secretary adds: The
meagre information received respect
ing the nature and extent of the injury
sustained by the hull of the Maine rem
ders it difficult to determine at this
time whether there is reason to hope
that the vessel herself may be
raised; but it seems probable,
as she lies within the protection of a
harbor and is not wholly submerged,
that much valuable property may be
recovered if the necessary action is
taken without delay. The vessel with
her stores, guns, material, equipment,
fittings and appurtenances cost ap-
proximately $5.000,000. AS an illus
tration of the value of single items
which may have escaped serious injury
it may be said that the 10 inch guns OF
which the Maine carried four were
worth with their mounts $43 500 each
The sinking the Maine will be made
the subject of Immediate and exhaustive
inquiry and Congress will be fully ad.
vised Of such Investigation. +"
The resolution was passed without
objection, being amended so rs to au-
thorize the secretary to direct that the
remains OF officers and sailors be
brought to the United States for inter
ment.
Mr.. Nelson entered motion to re-
consider the vote by which the resou-
ion relating to tie Kansas Pacific Rail
road was adopted yesterday. No &C.
ton was taken.
1t was decided that when the Senate
adjourn to-day it be until Monday
next.
Mr.. Mason has offered an amendment
to the Allen resolution for an investiga
ton of the Maine disaster providing
for q special committee to make the
investigation.
Mr.. Hale asked that tho matter not
b Lushed.
Mr.. Mason said it was evident that
the facts in regard to Cuba were being
! concealed from the people of the coun
/; trv and from Congress.
The policy Of the government was
delay and nothing was stopping the
murder of people in Cuba.
The De Lone letter had not S opped
the murders. The Maine disaster had
not stopped them. 1t was time for the
Senate to sct. Mr.. Mason said he did
not want the facts regarding the Maine
locked up in the executive departments.
Mr.. Hale said the whole world de-
plored the great tragedy. He hoped
t1e Senator (Masoul would see the i'm
propriety OF the position he was taking.
MIR. NJ 4son said that he meant no re
Election on Secretary Long, but an i'll
vestigation by Congress could not in
terfere with the navy department. We
have waited while the dipomates have
deceived US. They had sat at our table
and misrepressnted the situation. Mr..
Mason said that while the diplomates
delayed $50 of our brave saamen were
lying in the harbor at Havana.
Mr.. Hale said he hoped there would
ate while this matter was being investi-
gated by the Senate He deplored the
reflections which were made upon the
navy department.
Mr.. Mason said the American people
were tired of investigation behind
closed doors, that with $50 seamen ~.
ing at the bottom of Havana hnrbor,
the people of the United States wanted
to knew whether she was blown up by
her enemies or from spontaneous com
bustion. Mr. Mason said that if it was
found that the Maine disaster was q re-
suit of accident the people would be
better satisfied if committee of Con-
gress should find it so and no harm
would be done.
Mr.. Mason said that those who are so
anxious to 60 alow in the matter OF the
Maine were the defenders of DeLome
ard had praised his wise statesman
ship.
Mr.. Mason said the President said in
his message that one reason why lie
had hesitated to interfere was because Of
the promise of autonomy and yet at
the same time the Spaniards were de-
nouncing the government. Mr.. Mason
said there should be American divers
FOR the Maine so that the truth could
be told He would not act upon
an investigation committee, heI said,
because he would not sit at table with
a Spanard unless he had q stillelto in
his pocket. This caused a litter in the
Senate.
Senator Wolcott created sensation
in replying to Mr. Mason. Mr.. VOL
colt sal the Senator from Illinois had
said the people were losing confidence
in one of the great departments of the
government, statement that could not
go unchallenged.
Mr.. Mason sought to interrupt Mr..
Wolcott, but the latter peremptoriiy
declined to be interrupted and in
81, 1