The herald., 1898-03-16
MAINE RELIEF
Gives Way to POst0ffiCe
Matters
THE LOUD POSTAL BILL
rs SET FOR FINAL VOTE THIS
AFTERNOON
WIDE Latitude OF DEBATE
Gives Tawney a Chance to Champion
Hawaiian Annexation-Senate
Discusses Quarantine
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE house
agreed today to consider the bill for the re-
lief of the legal heirs and victims and sur
vivors of the Maine disaster as soon as the
postal appropriation bill, which was taken
up in the house today, is out of the way,
During the general debate on the postoffice
bill members eagerly took advantage of
the latitude allowed in committee of the
whole to discuss political questions, and
the debate consequently covered wide
| range.
Griggs, Democrat, of Georgia and Walk
er, Republican, of Massachusetts discussed
the cotton industries and Tawney, Repub-
lican, of Maine, a member of the ways and
means committee, replied to the speech of
Johnson, Republican, of Indiana made
some time ago against the advisability of
annexing the Hawaiian islands,
| At the opening of the session today the
speaker recognized Boutelle, Republican,
of Maine, chairman Of the naval commit
tee to call up the bill for the relief of the
victims and the survivors of the Maine dis
aster The bill provides for payment to the
legal heirs of those who lost their lives
equal to twelve months sea pay of the de-
ceased and reimbursement to the survivors
to the value of personal effects lost, not
| to exceed in amount a sum equal to twelve
| months sea pay.
The continuance OF allotments to families
| of the deceased for three months was also
provided for.
Consideration of the bill required unan-
lmous consent. Loud, Republican, of Cali
fornia said the bill was important. There
was q general law which covered such
cases and a special act should receive de-
liberate consideration.
Boutelle said that the passage of the
bill was demanded by public sentiment all
over the country. He said there was a
pressing necessity for the reliefof the suf-
ferers of this terrible disaster. Benefit per-
| formances were being held and subscrip-
| tions were being raised all over the coun-
| try Tor the relief of the widows and orphans
of the victims.
Loud objected.
| .That is the gentlemans privilege under
the rules" said Boutelle.
II object to the latter remark" said Loud
land ask that it be stricken from the rec
ord"
1t was finally arranged by unanimous
consent that the bill should be considered
rs soon as the postoffice appropriation bill
was out of the way. Danford, Republican,
of Ohio, chairman of the committee on i'm
migration, called attention to the fact that
he had given notice some time ago that he
would today call up the immigration bill.
He asked what the parliamentary status
of the bill was and the speaker informed
him that it was on the speakers table and
could be called up at any time when priv
ileged matter was not before the house.
On motion of Loud, the house then went
into committee of the whole and took up
the postoffice appropriation bill.
Loud, in charge of the bill, explained its
provisions briefly. 1t carried 9S,962, ,300
being 1858 ,351 less than the estimates and
50, ,296, 1862 more than the appropriations for
the current year. Bromwell, Republican
of Ohio made an extended speech against
the appropriation for special mail facil-
tiles from Boston to New Orleans. The
general debate was not confined to the
subject of the bill.
Griggs, Democrat. of Georgia contributed
some remarks upon the mopted question of
the relative advantages possessed by the
cotton manufacturers Cf the north and
south to prove that the advantages pos
sessed by the latter were not due to the
longer hours of labor Of their operatives.
He predicted that the south in the near
future would manufacture as we'll as grow
the cotton crop of the world. He warned
New England that she must abandon the
industry.
Mr.. Griggs criticised some utterances of
Speaker Reed and Mr.. Dingley, and Gre
ated much enthusiasm on the Democratic
side. At the conclusion of his speech an
| u,ac made tn C1OSa tHo fa
| at o'clock tomorrow.
Mr.. Walker of Massachusetts said it was
a happy day for the republic when south.
ern member arose on the floor and spoke
of the great industries of the south in
competition with those of the north. 1t
was day he had been waiting for since
the pilgrims landing. No section would
rejoice more that the south had entered the
! lists than New England.
1--WE shall suffer from southern competi-
ton temporarily" said he; 1--WE may have
to reduce wages temporarily; we may have
| to lose some departments of our industry
permanently, but we glory in this south
ern competition. because it shows that ce-
menting of the common country we love
so WELL" (Applause).
Mr. Tawney, Republican of Maine then
got the floor and replied to a speech de-
| livered by Mr.. Johnson Republican OF In
diana, several weeks ago against the an
nexation of the Hawaiian islands. Mr..
Tawney said:
"It was with unusual interest that I
listened a few days ago to the vigorous
assault of the gentleman from Indiana
(Mr. Johnson upon the policy of his pres
ident his party and his country respect
ing that group of beautiful islands. secure
ly anchored in the bosom of the Pacific,
now asking that over them we extend the
sovereignty and the flag of the United
States. In common with my colleagues
! in the house. expected to hear some
cosent reason, some potential argument in