New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-19
OUTBREAK IN CONGRESS.
EXCITEMENT OVER THE MAINE DISAS-
TER FINDS VENT AT LAST

MrssRs wo1coTr. LODGE AND
HALE-A SALVAGE APPRo-
PRIAr1oN PASSED.
r.v TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNE.l
..,,nrton Feb lS-During the two excit-
ssvs following the catastrophe in Havana
A,r congress refrsined with credtahle
re- and scrupulousness from expressing any
',r ss 10 the causes which operated 10 de-
n .ho Maine or from attempting TO outline
s.,,., 10 he followed in determining respon-
.r,,v tor the battle-ship's loss This after
=, however something Of the feeling which
- heen snouldering in the two houses OF Con
oss famed Unexpectedly out.
o1,t,,n in the Senate authorizing Con-
..ss,onal investigation of the disaster served
= tho spark TO provoke the explosion. Inc
serat. had already passed without any rr'a'-
"a unnecessary discussion. a Joint resolu-
NE anpropriating 100000 to he applied for 'he
w" ~ the bodies still buried with the
=. tho Maine and for the salvage of the
,e.ship's guns. stores and equipment me"
,uen,s resolution for the investigation 10y
~ -, committee Of the causes which led 10 the
80 - the Maine came to the front
I'D an aggressive and radical champion
-, Mason Of Illinois who appeared 10 go so
H. ~ his advocacy of Congressional inquiry
. ~seec; on the thoroughness and impair
',o,,,v NJ the investigation already set on ioo'
ua'''! executive branch Of the Government
,,.,..har inadvertently or not Mr.. Mason was
,...ved into suggesting that the people OF 'he
- lacked confidence in some departments
~ Government" and the remark was taken
-. roanv other Senators as an affront to 'he
~ no Nevv Department. who is at present
ting the inquiry 10 be made into the CIR
.s,orces Of last Tuesdays disaster
It Colorado in a speech or nluCn
ora dignity. repealed the insinuation APP
.,, launched by the Illinois Senator. and
pa. ,.a.ad q as beneath official dignity and
-, Mfr Lodge followed in the same line
.s Mr. Wolcott regret'ing that un)ustnap'e
illusions had been made 10 the conduct OF 'he
ending INQUIRY illusions which, MT Mason
,,srded in a further brief speech had oeen IN
great measure misunderstood
r. ao,io, vas taken on The Allen resolution
,.,ich now goes 20 me calendar IL IS propa"'e'
,ouever that other resolutions VIII ne ih'ro-
ducad which will afford opportunity TO continue
.,e discussion Of issues similar to those raised
to-day.
IN THE HOUSE.
After brief statement by Chairman BouteHe
o.,he Naval Committee and the reading OF cap
tain Sigshees dispatch 70 the secretary Of the
Nav showing that il would be impossible to
INC, who persisted IN the Maine disaster, the
W. n representatives unanimously passed
,ba ,oint resolution recommended by The Score
,arv ~ the Navy 20 appropriate 100000 TO he
Immediately available FOR the purpose Of rails
ing the Maine or II saving as much as possible
.-o-, n. wreck and 4 recovering the dead
bodies q her crew
The intense interest which is felt in everything
relating 10 the catastrophe was shown as soon
as members II the House heard that such
resolution had been offered when they came
rreh,rg from corridors committed rooms and
clcakroorns 10 hear what was proposed and 10
vote ,or e, Some ll-natured comments were
heard an hour later when Representatives heard
that the Senate had passed similar resoiu-
ton ssddled with an amendment requiring the
Secretary Of the Navy TO have the bodies or the
officers and crew who we're lost brought 70
the United States for Notwithstanding which
CAPTAIN Sigsbee who is in Havana and familiar
with all the conditions. had declared 20 he I'M
possible Moreover. members ~ the House OF
Representatives always quick 10 resent an
ATTEMPT ~ the Senate 10 originate a bill which
carries an APPROXIMATION - money. and in this
case some OF them appeared 70 feel that the
latter had tried 70 forestall the action Of the
House In regard to a duty which. besides be-
longing 70 It in the hrst instance. was one that
II would not neglect or postpone 30 strohS was
This feeling that il seemed likely &C
ton would he taken IN the House on the Senate
resolution except to refer 1t 20 a committee, es-
pscal,v in view ~ the fact that the House
resolution fully carried out the recommendation
OF the Secretary of the Navy.
There is no longer any room for doubt that
majority 81 the House Committee on Naval
Affairs IS strongly disposed 70 recommend
greater increase ~ the Navy even than was
called for by Secretary Long. Some members
% the House however. appear 70 entertain
contrary view. which they justify by saying. IN
effect tina, the disaster 10 the Maine proves that
modern battle-ships are failure and more dan
gerous To those who are 10 fight them than TO
an enemy Chairman Boutelle of the Naval
Committee remarked to-day that II would he
equally reasonable 10 say that modern railroads
failure because % an occasional collision
or an accident 10 a locomotive.