The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-02

ure passed by the House. He declared 1T
was an atrocious measure of diabolical
intent and could only result in grinding
the poor debtor the more deeply in the
financial mire. The Alaska homestead
and railway right of way bill was under
discussion during the greater part OF the
session, Mr.. Rawlins of Utah concluding
his speech began yesterday in opposition
to measure. The resolution OF Mr.. bacon
OF Georgia providing for bronze tablet
to be erected in the capitol building in
memory of the officers and sailors who
| lost their lives IN the Names disaster,
was passed.
Washington, March l.-Shortly after
the Senate convened today, Mr.. Perkins
of California, of the committee on naval
affairs, presented favorable report on
MIR. Bacon's resolution providing for the
erection in Statuary hall of the Capitol
of a bronze memorial tablet, commemo'
rative of the officers and sailors who lost
their lives in the Maize disaster in Ha-
vana harbor.
In the course of his report upon the re-
solution, Mr.. Perkins said:
''It is fitting at all times for nation
to recognize the heroism of those who
have yielded up their lives in its service.
In this respect no nation is more generous
than ours. 1t has stood and still stands,
ready to show it's appreciation of bravery
and devotion to duty.
EVERY man who stood beneath the
flag of the battleship Maine, by his very
presence on its decks, siGnifled his will
ingness to die for the defense of the ma
tion and the maintenance. of the national
honor. When death came in the awful
shape it took in the harbor of Havana,
the dead nre no less heroes than if they
had fallen before hostile guns.
If it were ever fitting to recognize the
devotion to the country OF brave men it
of those who lost their lives in the de-
struction of the Maine
lowing to the position of the United
States, the defense of Its honor against
foreign attack always mainly fall to the
men of our navy. AS our fleets are
strong and our men are brave SO shall
we compel and maintain that respect
among the nations which is as necessary
to. national prosperity as the respect Of
individual.
The resolution was amended so as to
provide the erection of the tablet, at
some suitable. place in the Capitol. AS
amended the resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Hoar then renewed his motion of
yesterday that the Senate disagree to the
amendments to the bankruptcy bill and
that committee of conference be ap-
pointed.
Mr.. Stewart of Nebraska said he was
opposed to an involuntary bankruptcy
bill at such time as this and wished
before the measure was sent to confer
ence to present some information on the
subject that would be valuable to the
conferees
ssThe House bill assumes, Mr.. Stew
art remarked, "that any man who cannot
pay his debts is criminal. 1t Is the most
atrocious bill that could be framed in the
present condition OF thu country"
Mr.. Hoar said he thought the Senate
conferees might be trusted properly to
appealed t, Mr.. Stewart ro permit the
measure to go to the conference without
further debate.
"No appeal to me need be made in he
half of this diabolical bill," exclaimed
Mr.. Stewart. II propose to discuss this
matter fully in order that not only the
conference, but the country may know
what this bill means"
Mr. Stewart spoke till O'Clock when
the Alaska homestead and right of way
bill was laid before the Senate: MIR.
Stewart announced that he would con-
tinue his address tomorrow.
Mr.. Rawlins Of Utah. continued his
speech begun yesterday in opposition to
the general features of the bill. He re-
iterated his charges that the bill as
framed gavey dishonest specu-
lators a market advantage over the public
generally. 1t enabled them, he said, to
ribbon the district of Alaska with paper
right OF way, which would enable them
to control an enormous aan;od amount OF lana
Mr. Lindsay of Kentucky inquired
whether the bill provides that railroads
should charge specified rates for freights
and passengers. He had noted that the
rates of tolls charged by tramways and
wagon roads should be approved by the
secretary of the interior, put ne couio
find no such limitation upon railroads.
NJ. Allen of Nebraska,a "A member of the
committee on public lands, said it was
his understanding that provision COW
ering the matter of sale of railroad land
had been inserted in the bill. ME-
Carlton explained that the committee
had not Thoughts it desirable to put
charges to he made by railroads as that
was distinctly within the provisions OF
the Interstate commerce law. Mr.. haw-
lins said he thought Congress ought to
legislate for the people and not for the
land sharks and fake railroads. The bill
gave arbitrary power to a government
officer to dispose of the matter OF fran
chise
The Senate at 2. 80 went into executive
session and at 8. 45 p. 10. adjourned.
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Washington, March 1.-The House com.
mittee on naval affairs considered the
naval appropriation bill at its session to-
day. The committee on the bill has con-
cluded large portion Of the matters to
be framed in the general bill and on the
basis of its work the full committee went
over estimates made by Secretary Long.
One new feature of the legislation the
house committee reported on was an
item for the supply of smokeless powder.
The subcommittee recommends an ap-
preparation of 81, 600, 600 for this purpose
There was considerable discussion over
this new matter brought into the bill.
number of other matters were taken up
and disposed Of. principally routine mat
ters in the several bureaus OF the navy
departments and included the bills for