Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-19
MASON'S BLUSTER
Ably Answered by Senators
Lodge and Wolcott.
Aliens Resolution to Investigate the Dis
aster to the Maine Occasions Very
Heated Remarks in the
Senate.

Washington, Feb. 1S-A debate, de-
cided in it's sensations, was unexpected
ly precipitated in the senate today over
the consideration of a resolution of Mr..
Allen CNeb), directing the committee on
naval affairs TO investigate the disaster
to the battleship Maine. An arrange
ment had been made for the adoption Of
the resolution, with a minor amend
ment, without debate.
Mr.. Mason (ldl), however, proposed a
substitute providing for an investiga-
ton to be conducted by a Joint commit
tee of the two branches of congress.
Upon this, the Illinois senator disre-
garding an appeal not to force a discns-
sion at this time of 50 melancholy an
affair, delivered a speech in which he
said that the people demanded the truth
concerning the explosion, and declared
that they would not be satisfied with
the investigation to be conducted by the
offlcers OF the navy, who would virtually
try their own case, and would cover up
any blame that the facts might show
attached to them. He fiercely denounced
Uhe pollcy or the government in dealing
with the Cuban question: into which he
went at length, and declared that the
united States had adopted the policy of
spain IN putting everything off until
tomorrow
Short replies to Mr.. Mason's charges
We're made by Mr.. Wolcott (Col). and
MT. Lodge CMass.). Mr.. Wolcott declared
that There is not a patriotic citizen I'M
TINS broad land who has not the fullest
ana most glorious confidence in every
department of this government and in
the department of the navy particular
ly."
Mr.. Wolcott thought this was a, time
when we should refrain from gratuito1Is
insult to friendly nation and from I'M
Just and ignorant criticism WAR may
come, sad ne. Il think myself the day
may not be far distant When that day
comes our course must be eternaIIy
grounded on the right. When war comes
II must come so that the people of the
world can at least respect our conduct
ana our position. And, above all, it must
come under the circumstance which
makes us respect ourselves
Mr.. Lodge in brief but brilliant
speech, defended the honor of the navy
ana OF the naval officers, and Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Roose-
Welt. The resolution which precipitated
une discussion finally went to the caIen-
dar,
COMMEMORATIVE TABLET.
MI Bacon, Georgia, introduced the
following joint resolution: THAT there
shall be prepared under the direction of
the secretary of the navy and placed up-I
on the wall of statuary hall, in the capt.
tol building, bronze tablet commence
ratiYe of the officers and men Of the
United States navy who persisted in the
loss of the battleship Maine, in the har-
Dor of Havana, Feb. Is, 1898 The said
tablet to contain the names of said
officers and men and shall be an endur-
ing memorial to their honor, and per
petual token of the sorrow of the ma
ton"
The resolution further appropriates a
sufficient amount of money to carry the
resolution in effect. 1t was referred to
the committee on naval affairs.
At 2.O5 D. m., the senate went into
executive session.
THE LATE A. B. WRIGHT.
At 2.55 p. M, the senate resumed bust
ness in open session for the purpose of
considering resolutions presented by Mr.
Hoar ,(Mass.) on the death of the Hon
Ashley B. Wright, late a representative
from Massachusetts. Eulogies were de-
livered by Mr.. Hoar (Mass); Mr.. Haw-
ley. Conn; Mr.. Morgan, (Ala.) and Mr..
Lode (Mass) AS a further mark of
respect the senate then at $40 p. M,
adjourned, the adjournment being until
Monday next.
MONEY FOR RAISING MAINE.
A resolution offered in the senate, by
Mr.. Hale, appropriating 100000 for rails
ing the battleship Maine and saving
what property could be saved, was
passed by the senate without objection,
being amended so as to authorize the
secretary to direct the remains of
officers and sailors be brought to the
United States for interment. The house
has also passed a resolution similar to
that passed by the senate relative to
the Maine.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, Feb. 1S.-The house to-
day promptly and unanimously voted
the 100000 asked for by the secretary
of the navy to recover the bodies lost
in the Maine disaster and to raise the
wreck, if that is deemed advisable
The rest of the session today, which
lasted six hours, was devoted to con-
tinuance of the debate on the bank
ruptcy bill, which will come to vote
tomorrow.
TO REPLACE THE MAINE.
A bill appropriating $4,0O0,OOo to pro-
vide battleship to replace the Maine
was introduced in the house this after
noon by Mr.. Foote.
OTHER WASHINGTON MATTERS.
Washington, Feb 18.-The senate COM
mittee on appropriations today com
pleted consideration of the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill. The
committee recognized the advance of
the rank of the American legation at
st. Petersburg to that of an embassy,
but did not increase the Salary of our
chief representative at the Russian
court.
Washington, Feb 1S.-The president
sent to the senate, today, the nominal
ton of George B. F'rease II be postmas-
ter at Canton, Ohio
HOURS OF TEXTILE EMPLOYEES.
Washington, Feb 1S.-The house COM
mittee on judiciary held a hearing to-
day on the proposed constitutional
amendment empowering congress to
limit the daily working hours of en-
ployees in manufactures of textile fab
brics and other industries. Representa-
tives Lowering, Walker and Fitzgerald
of Massachusetts advocated the bill, and
Messrs. Orr and Smythe of South Caro-
lima and D. A. Thompson Of North Car
DINA, manufacturers, opposed it.