The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-03-31
THE HOUSE.

72Np DAY.-The House unanimously
passed bill for the relief OF the sur
vivors and victims of the Maine
disaster. The bill rejmburses the
surviving officers and men for the
losses they sustained to an amount
not to exceed years sea pay, and
directs the pay yment of sum equal to
o years pay to the legal heirs of those
who persisted. There was quite q
spirited debate over an amendment
submitted by Mr.. Cannon to give the
survivors each years pay out of hand
instead of attempting to reimburse
them for actual losses. Cannon and
Boutelle having particularly warm
passage at arms. Some Old alleged
scandals in correction with the relm-
bUrsement of the survivors OF the
Samoan disaster were raked in, but the
debate in the end was saved from
rather sordid tone by beautiful tribute
paid to the gallant dead by Cousins, of
Iowa, in short but eloquent speech.
At 5 o'clock the House took recess
until s o'clock, the evening session be-
ing devoted TO the consideration Of prl-
vate pension bills.
73D DAY.-The naval appropriation
bill was reported to the House, but as
it had not been printed, the contested
election case of Thorpe VS.. Epes, from
the fourth Virginia district, was taken
up. The prevailing impression is that
Epes, the sitting member, will be un-
seated, MS upon the decision in this case
will largely depend the decision in the
two other Virginia cases, in which
practically the same questions are in
volved. Epes had 1851 plurality on
the face OF the returns. Extensive
frauds we're charged, and the majority
of the committee foand that Thorpe
should have received 301 plurality, and
upon their finding recommend that he
be seated. The naval appropriation
bill, as reported to the House today,
carries o total of SS5. Cs3. Ojs, an in-
crease over last year of 81, 7G4, 4322, and
over the current estimate Of 81, 5l4, S34.
74TH DAY.-In the House r. I.
Thorpe was given the seat from the
Fourth Virginia district, Sidney 2.
Epes, who obtained the certificate of
election, was unseated by strict party
vote ISL to $50. The Republicans,
without break, voted for Thorpe, and
the Democrats and Populists. with the
exception of Howard, of Alabama,
Populist, voted for Epes. Rhea, Dem.
of Kentucky, and Hay, (Dem. spoke
for the sitting member, while Epes spoke
in his own behalf. Thorpe contested
the seat of McKenny in the last Con-
gress and was seated. The Republican
majority in the House, which was fifty
two when the House convened last
summer, is now fifty four.
18TH DAY. The House had a general
debate on the naval appropriation bill,
and there were a number of war speeches
delivered. All radical expressions
were cheered. Among the speakers
were Kitchen and Skinner, of North
Carolina, and Tate, of Georgia.
76TE DAY-The stirring scenes of
the Fifty first Congress, when mem
hers of the minority were charging
down the aisles protesting against the
rulings of Speaker Reed, were recalled
today in the turbulent protests made
by the minority against a ruling of
the chair during the consideration of
the naval appropriation bill. The rul-
ing in effect compelled members to con-
fined their remarks under the FIVE
minute rule to the subject before the
House, and was made against MIR.
Hartman, silver Republican, of Mon
tapa, who attempted to make o politi-
cal speech. Mr.. Bailey moved that he
be allowed to proceed in order. The
motion was opposed by the majority
and defeated. 81 to 40.