Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-18
ASSEMBLY.
HOUSE DEBATE AGAIN OVER
sHADOwED BY MAINE DISASTER.
A BLOW In DEFENCE OF THE SOUTH
Referred.

It
bate on the bankruptcy bill dragged
along listlessy in the House to-day, in
terest in it being overshadowed, as on
yesterday, by the Maine disaster. The
speeches on the floor attracted almost no
attention, and were delivered in most in
stances to a handful of members. The
speakers to-day We're:
In favor of the bill-Messrs. Moody
Republican), of Massachusetts; AlexSn-
der Republican,, OF New York; Broder-
lex Republican,, of Kansas; Mccall Re-
publican), Of Massachusetts; Knox Gre
publcan), of Massachusetts, Crumpacker
Republican), of Indiana, and Dolliver
Republican,, of Iowa.
Against it--Messrs. Little OemocraO,
of Kentucky; Smith OemocraD, of Ken
lucky; Wilson DemocraD, of South
Carolina; Maddox OemocraD, of Geor-
gia; Sparkman DemocraD, Of Florida,
and Bartlett DemocraD, of Georgia.
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Hemen-
way Republican), of Indiana; Pitney
Republican). Of New Jersey, and Nc
Rae OemocraO, of Arkansas, conferrees
on the Notifications appropriation bin.
In the course of the debate, Mr.. Mad
dOx OemocraD, Of Georgia. took occasion
TO reply to a speech made by Mr.. Lands
(Republican), OF Indiana, last week, be-
fore the Middlesex Club of Boston. He
denounced Mr.. Landiss reference to the
South ana her people as ISLANDERS, and
said that a man who would indulge in
such Misrepresentation at public dinner
was unworthy Of a place on the floor of
the House.
At 5:O5 p. NJ, the House took a recess
until IL o'clock tomorrow.
KANSAS PACIFIC SALE.
After a spirited debate, occupying more
than two hours, the Senate to-day. by a
vote Of "a to IS, agreed TO the resolution
OF Mr.. Turpie, OF Indiana, declaring the
Senate's opposition to the confirmation
of the sale of the Kansas Pacific rail-
road.
1t was developed by the discussion that
the government would receive from the
sale of the Union ana Kansas Pacific
railroads something more than S., 100000
81 per cent. of the entire indebtedness of
the roads to the United States, the basis
of settlement being about $40 200 bet
ter for the government than that pro-
posed by the Cleveland administration.
The resolution is as follows:
Resolved, as the opinion of the Senate,
That the sale Of the Kansas Pacific Di-
vision of the Union Pacific railroad,
made to-day, ought not TO be confirmed,
except upon the terms that the original
claims and the interest thereon due TO
the United States from said railroad
company Of the Kansas Pacific Division
be paid in full by the bidders"
The only reference thus far made in
~.
ship Maine, was made in the form Of the
following resolution. introduced by Mr..
Allen, Of Nebraska:
Resolved. That tho Committee on
Naval Affairs be directed TO make an inn
mediate and thorough investigation into
the cause Of the disaster to the battle
ship Maine, i'm the harbor of Habana on
the 18th instant, and report to the Sem
ate"
INVESTIGATION BEING MADE.
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, chairman of the
Naval Affairs Committee, said he had no
objection TO the reference of the resolu-
tion TO his committee but ne did not
deem it desirable for the committee now
to proceed with an investigation of the
melancholy affair in Habana harbor. The
executive department of the government
was even now engaged In making an in
vestigatiOn of the disaster. The Secre-
tary of the Navy was engaged In the
work, and was employing all the means
i'm his power to ascertain the truth. If
the matter were taken up by the Naval
Affairs Committee. Mr.. Hale said, the
best the committee could do would be TO
act through the Navy Department. He |
was satisfied that as soon as the Secre- |
tary of the Navy obtained definite infor- |
nation concerning the explosion and It's |
details he would communicate the facts !
10 Congress.
Mr.. Allen objected TO having the resolu-
ton sent to the Committee on Naval |
Affairs.
1--WE Of u.s." he said, who are not men, |
hers OF the Naval Affairs Committee or |
the Foreign Relations Committee cannot /
get information from the departments |
about these things. We are shut out as |
completely as II we were private citizens. |
| think we ought to get more lnforma-
ton. and | am deeply interested in this |
matter | do not care to debate this mat
ter, or to enter into any extended discus
sion OF It. What we want Is TO be given
more Information"
Mr.. Chandler objected to the resolution,
and II went over until tomorrow.
After the disposition of the resolution.
the Corbett case was discussed by Mr.. |
Pettus. OF Alabama, and Mr.. Hoar. OF j
and an agreement was
reached to take final vote upon the case
on Monday. February 2Sth.
The Senate, at 40 =. NJ, went into exc
cutive session. and five minutes after
ward adjourned.