The herald., 1898-02-17

ABSENCE
Delayed Consideration of
HarbOr Matters
COAST DEFENSES DISCUSSED
BY SENATORS NOT YET READY
FOR ACTION
House Debate Confined to the Bank
ruptcy Bill-Committeemen Are
Talking of the Maine
Special to The Herald

Special to The Herald
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 16.-Chair-
man Hooker of the rivers and harbors
committee today attempted to call UP the
Barlow resolution, inquiring why the
clause had been put in the San Pedro con-
tract permitting the secretary of war to
cancel any contracts made If congress
failed to make an appropriation for carry
ing on the work on the breakwater during
the fiscal year.
Judge Mcguire objected to consideration
of the resolution because of the absence Of
Representative Barlow, and also for tho
reason that he desired more time to inves-
tigate the real purpose Of Hooker in press
ing this resolution.
IN THE SENATE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-(By Associated
Press.)-A discussion on coast defenses
was the feature of the senate today. Many
senators took the ground that the appro-
priation should be for the full amount of
the estimates by the war department in
stead of some millions less. Senators
Perkins and Hale said that 1t was the pol
Icy of the appropriations committee to
make an annual expenditure of $l0,0 10000
year IOT IOTlllcdIloHS. CtudiOrS 6teWdTts
Hawley, Chandler and Lodge spoke in
favor of increases. Senator Teller also ad-
voeated liberal expenditures, and during
his remarks made significant illusions to
Cuba and Hawaii.
In the early part of the day there was a
discussion of the Kansas Pacific railroad
sale, but no action was taken.
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Senator Morrill, of Vermont occupied the
entire time of the executive session of the
senate today in speech opposing the an
nexation of Hawaii because the senator
believed the acquisition Of distant lands
was calculated to undermine the integrity
of this country and because annexation
would inevitably destroy the beet sugar
industry of the United States, American
labor being unable to compete with coolie
labor on the Hawaiian plantations. From
military point of view, he argued that the
island would be source not of strength.
but of weakness.
IN THE HOUSE
The debate on the bankruptcy bill, which
Is to continue until Saturday, when avote
will be taken, opened In the house today,
but attracted little attention, the interest
of the mebers being entirely absorbed by
the disaster to the Maine. At times the
hall was almost deserted, the members be-
| ing congregated iN the lobbies or cloak
rooms, discussing the accident and specu-
lating upon its probable consequences.
Just before the house adjourned Mr.. Bou-
telle. chairman of the naval committee,
presented a resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted, expressing regret for the
disaster, coincidence with the families OF
those who lost their lives and sympa by
with the injured. The speakers on the
bankruptcy bill were: In favor of the
measure-Messrs, Henderson Republican)
of Iowa; Lanham, Democrat) of Teas:
and Burke, DemocraD of Texas. In OPP
position to it-Messrs. Underwood, (Denl-
ocraD Of Alabama; Bell PopulisD of Colo
rado; Henry, (DemocraD of Texas, and
McRae, Democ-aD of Arkansas. and
Cochran. (DemocraD of Missouri
NOMINATIONS
The president today sent to the serate
these nominations:
Treasury-T. L. Dorsey of Indiana to be
supervising inspector Of steam vessels of
the Sixth district.
Interior-James M. Gleaves, surveyor for
California.
CONTRIBUTIONS
The senate today confirmed the follow
ing nominations:
To be consul, e. c. Cunningham of Ten
nessee at Alden, Arabia.
Chief justice supreme court of Oklahoma,
John H. Burford, and Bayard Thaner to be
associate justice.
Also some promotions in the navy.
IN COMMITTEE
The Maine accident formed the principal
topic of consideration by the senate COM
mittee on foreign relations at its meeting
today. The opinion generally expressed by
members of the committee in its formal
conference were to the effect that the oc-
currence may result in grave complica-
tfons, unless Spain can make 1t very plain
that no Spaniard was in any way RESPONSE
BILE for it. A prominent member of the
committee said, after the meeting, that
Spain would be expected to make an ex-
planation that would entirely clear up the
mystery, and that If she did not this coun-
try would have right to demand such
explanation.
Most of the members of the committee
refused. after the conference, to express
any opinion concerning the occurrence.
'It Is too serious to talk about at pres.
ent," said Senator Lodge.
Senator Cullom said: II can't see how the
explosion could have been the result of an
accident, and I think the time is rapidly
approaching when this country must do
something in regard to Cuba"
Senator Clark would only say: 1T is sin
gular such an accident should happen at
such an inopportune time"