The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-19
Washington, Feb. IS. 1898.

Washington, Feb. IS, 1898.
a debate, decided in Its sensations
| was unexpectedly precipitated in the
Senate today over the consideration
OF the resolution of Mr.. Allen (Nebras-
ka), directing the Committee on Naval
Affairs to investigate the disaster to
the battleship Maine. An arrangement
had been made for the adoption of the
resolution, with a minor amendment,
without debate. NIr. Mason Ullinois),
however. proposed a substitute provid-
ing Tor an investigation to be conducted
by joint committee OF the two branch
| es Of Congress. Upon this the illinois
Senator, disregardinG an appeal not to
force IL discussion at this time of so
melancholy an affair. delivered n speech
in which he said that the people de-
mnnded she truth concerning the eE-
plosion and declared that they would
not he satisfied with the Investigations
to be conducted by the officers Nf the
navy, who would virtually try their
own case, and would cover up any
blame that the facts might show at
tached ito them.
lie tierccly denounced the policy Of
the Government in dealing with the
Cuban question: into which he went
at length, and declared that the
United States had adopted the policy
Of Spain in putting everything off
| until tomorrow.
Sharp replies to Mr.. Mason's charge.
were made by Mr.. Wolcott (Cooradol
and Mr.. Lodge (Massachusetts). The
resolution which prcciphtatcd the dis
| cussOn finally Went to the calendar
Soon after the Senate met Mr. Hale
(Maine) introduced resolution appro-
| priating $500, 900 for the purpose of rails
ing the Maine and transportation and
burial Of the dead. The resolution pass
ed.
The resolution offered yesterday by
Mr.. Allen (Ncbraska) directing the Com-
mittee on Naval Affairs to make an
Immediate examination of the disaster
to the Maine was laid before the Sem
ate.
Mr.. Mason Ullinois) proposed an
amendment striking out all after the
| word resolved" and inserting the nol-
| lowing:
by the Senate md House of Repre-
sentatives concurring. that joint com
mittee of five consisting of three mem
| bcrS of the House pf Representatives
and two members OF the Senate be ap-
| pointed to investigate the disaster To
| the bahtleship Maine"
Mr. Hale expressed the hope that Mr..
| Mason would not press his substitute
| The disaster. he said was even now
| being thoroughly investigated by the
| executive department of the Govern
ment. and that as soon as tangible re-
suits were reached the facts would b,
| communicated to Congress.
Mr. Hale urged Mr.. Mason to with
drew his substitute, MS it would only
lend 10 emDar!1SS the executive de-
partment
Mr. Mason followed Mr. Hale in a
speech rtplete with sensational and
pyrotechnic utterances. He said, in
beginning that he had no disposition ia
ihhane Il situation already so exciting,
nut ne ieit that his substitute was fully
| Justihed by THE feelings and desires of
the people. 81 understand" said ne
! mat the Navy Department is mal,inr
| an investigation Of the disaster. but 7
| also understand that Congress has M
| lhorlty TO make an investigation. If Is
Il congressional investigation that The
people are demanding. They are fa 81
| coming ITO the conclusion that matters
concerning this Cuban affair including
tic uel|one letter incident and the loss
or the Maine, of which they ought IN
know, are being concealed from abnr,
| me people want to know the facts
| ana they will know thsgn.''
MI Mason said there was no coInn,itv
| so great as failure on the mart of
| th0Se In power to appreciate the real
! SITUATION when 1t was so serious NJ; IL
| now IS, and no sorrow so profound as
mat over indifference to this Situation
lhe people were sick and tired nf
secret investigations and reports bv
cipher and of having information SIM
pressed and then dolcd out to them az
some executive officer might think
suitable. He wanted a Congress;ono
| investigation and wanted 1t open to the
| world. An investigation by CONGRESS-
would only strengthen the finding of
the Navy Department in case the ok.
plosion proved to be an accident Uo
mad no desire to stir UP trouble bu,
would only insist. as he had done be.
tore, upon the stopping of human
slavery and inhumam warfare In The
adja cent island
| The record OF the Spanish nation
continued Mr.. Mason, VINO appco red ~
| be labor!ng under cOnsdera exciia.
| ment. Is one Of continuous treacherv
ana VIC have experienced that treach-
| cry in our history for the past hun.
| dred years. 1t had been made evident
| that the Spaniard could not be trusted
IN any capacity and for this reason we
should now have American divers In.
vcstigating the hull Of the Maine. and
| not depending upon those OF an un.
| friendly power. We arc told, he said
| that the naval board may be able 10
reach Havana by next Monday. Ma,