Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-19
THE 18TH CONGRESS.
BANKRUPTCY BILL TO DE VOTED
on IN HOUSE TODAY.
MAINE DISASTER IN THE SENATE.
Attack ON Administration by Mr..
Mason, who Demands a Congress
sionaI Investfgation-He Charges
Concenlment OF Facts.

WASHINGTON, d. c., February 49,
The House to-day promptly and unani-
mousIy voted the 100000 asked for by the
Secretary of the Navy to recover the
bodies lost by the Maine disaster, and to
raise the wreck. II that is deemed adj
visabe.
The rest OF the session to-day, which
lasted six hours, was devoted TO con-
tinuation Of the debate on the bankruptcy
bill, which will come to a vote to-mor-
row.
The speakers to-day were Messrs. Rlxey
Democrat. of Virginia; Sulzer Demo
craD of New York; Strobe Republican,
of Nebraska; Connolly Republican,, Of
Illinois: Grosvenor Republican,, of Ohio;
Sayers DemocraD, of Texas. and Ray
(Republican), Of New York. In favor of
the bill, and Messrs. Kitchin DemocraD.
Of North Carolina; Linney (Republican),
OF North Cardinal Love DemocraD, of
| Mississippi; Ball DEMOCRACY. of Texas;
| Henry Democracy, Of Mississippi; Ma
| guire DemocraD, of California; Bland
| Democrat, of Missouri; Bell PopulisD,
of Colorado; De Almond Democracy, Of
Missouri; Wheeler DemocraD. of Ala
bama, and Lloyd DEMOCRACY, Of Mis-
.souri. against It.
The House adjourned at 5:55 p. NJ.
SENATE SENSATIONS.
A debate, decided in its sensations, was
| Unexpectedly precipita ed in the Senate
to-day. over the consideration of the
resolution of Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, di-
recting the Committee on Naval Affairs
TO investigate the disaster TO the battle
ship Maine.
An arrangement had been made for the
adoption of the resolution. with a minor
amendment. without debate. Mr.. Mason,
of Illinois, however, proposed a substi-
tute, providing for an investigation TO be
conducted by q joint committee of the
two branches Of Congress. Upon this
the Illinois senator delivered a speech In
which he said the people demanded the
truth concerning the explosion, and de-
ciared that they would not be satisfied
with the investigation to be conducted
by the officers 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 the policy of the
government in dealing with the Cuban
question. into which he went at length,
ana declared lndl the Ctlttu oldlto hau
adopted the policy of Spain in putting
everything off until tomorrow.
Sharp replies to Mr.. Mason's charges
were made by Mr.. Wolcott of Colorado,
and Mr.. Lodge, OF Massachusetts,.
The resolution which precipitated the
discussion finally went TO the calendar.
Soon after this Mr. Hall introduced the
following joint resolution:
"That the Secretary Of the Navy be,
and he is hereby, authorized 10 secure
the services Of wreckine company, or
wrecking companies having proper facili-
ties for the prompt and efficient perform
ance of submarine work. for the purpose
of recovering the remains Of the officers
and men lost on the United States steamer
Maine. and of saving the vessel or such
parts thereof and so much OF her stores,
guns. material, equipment, fittings, and
appurtenances, as may be pracucaDiei |
and for this purpose the sum OF SzOV'VOo' |
or go much thereof as may be necessary, |
is hereby appropriated and made imme-
diately available"
The resolution was prepared at the Navy |
Department and introduced at the request
Of Secretary Long, who, In forwaru'ns II
10 Mr.. Hale. also sent a letter explaining
ito purpose He says In this letter that
ut is deemed proper and important that
stems should be taken Immediately 10 re-
cover the remains of the officers ana men
lost on the occasion Of this most depiora-
ble catastrophe to raise the vessel. ana
10 save such parts Of her armament ana
equipment as may be practicable.
Mr.. Mason hoped that provision would
be made for the transportation OF the
bodies 10 the United States and for their
burial in this country. To that END ne
proposed an amendment 10 the resolutioh'
as follows:
"After the word thereof and before
the word ana insert the following: And
for the transportation and burial OF the
remains of the officers and men, so far
as possible"
The amendment was agreed to, and the
as amended was adopted.
MIR. MAsON'S SPEECH.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr..
Allen of Nebraska, requesting the Com
nittee on Naval Affairs to make an i'm
Mediate investigation of the disaster TO
he Maine. was laid before the Senate
Mr.. Mason. OF Illinois, proposed an amend
nent striking out all after the word "Re-
,olved' and inserting therefor: by the
senate and House OF Representative
hat a Joint committee Of five, consisting
~ three members Of the House of Repre-
entatives and two members of the SEN
lster 10 the battleship Maine"
Mr. Hale expressed the hope that MT.
Jason would not press his substitute
rhe disaster. he said was even now De-
NO thoroughly Investigated by the Execu-
i've department of the government, ana
q soon as tangible results were reported :
he facts would be communicated 10 con-
ress. -,,,. 9
Mr.. Hale urged Mr.. Mason to withdra"
10 suhstitute. as 1t would tend only 10 :
mharrass the Executive department.
AR Mason followed Mr.. Hale in
neech replete with sensational and pyro-
echnic utterances. He said In the begin
ING that he had no disposition to IN
anne q situation already so exciting, Dut
O felt that his substitute was fully Jusu- !
ed nv the feelings and desires OF the
eople. a
II understand" said he, that the Navy .
Jepartment is making an investigation -
( the disaster, but l also understand !,
hat Congress has the authority TO make =
N Investigation. 1t Is a congressional ?
that the people are demand =
NJ They are fast coming to the con- =
fusion that matters concerning this :
uban affair." including the De LONE let q
Pr incident, and the loss of the Maine, =,
Z which they ought to know, are being {. -
oncealed from them. The people want y
D know the facts. and they will know -
hem" ~
MIR. Mason said he did not desire to u
effect upon the motives or honor OF -
tiybody but he suggested that the OFF, =
- H. Noyv napo rfpaent N making VI