Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-02-19
MASON AND W0[COTT
Supply the interesting Portion Of
the Entertainment in
the Senate.
ILLINOIS MAN OPENS UP on SPAIN.

And Mascs a Remark Interpreted By well
cost as an Imputatiou ON the Honor Of
the Navy observation-disclosures the
Fur F1ies-Coiondo Statesman speaks
Under Strong Pressure and Rakes the mi.
noiaan. Who Replies with Disclaimer.
Washington. Feb. 19.-There was a
genuine sensation in the senate yes
terday over the Maine disaster, in which
Mason and Woico,t got all tangled I'D
With each other and the Colorado SEN
ator gave the Illinois statesman some
very hard rubs. to which Mason warmly
replied. The resolution offered Thurs
day by Allen Of Nebraska directing the
committee on naval affairs to make an
immediate Investigation of the disas-
ter to the Maine was laid before SEN
ate. and Chandler thought that IL the
word Immediate" be stricken out and
the matter he left within the discretion
d the committee there would be no OBJ
lection TO the resolution. Mason pro-
posed an amendment striking out ali
AFTER the word resolved and inserting
the following BY the senate and house
81 representatives coacurring. that q
joint committee Of five, consisting of
three members of the house of repre-
seniatives and two members of the SEN
ate. be appointed TO investigate the dis.
ester to the batileship Maine"
Hale Asks for . Withdrawal.
Hale expressed the hope that Mason
would not press his substitute. The
disaster. he SAID. was even now being
thoroughly investigated by the execu.
tive department of the government and
ihat as soon as tangible results were
reached the facts would be commune
Gated 10 congress. Hale urged Mason
10 Withdraw his substitute. as IL would
tend only TO embarrass the executive
department. Il had hoped" said Hale.
that this entire matter might be dis
posed Of today without debate. 1t seems
20 me that in the circumstances and
IN the light of the utmost facilities, 1t IS
idle TO indulge in debate" Hale said
he was willing To withdraw his OBJ
jeotions TO the resolution of Allen. but
the substitute suggested by Mason was
even more Objectionable in its form.
Didnf Want To- He Infiammatory.
Mason followed Hale in a speech re-
rlete with sensational usfsrances. He
said in beginning that he had no dis
position Co infiame n situation already
SO exciting, but he felt that his sub
stitute was fully justified by the feel
ings and desires Of the people. Il under
stand" said he. that the navy DEPART
mcnt Is making an investigation of the
disaster. but also understand that con-
gress has the authority to make an in
vastication. 1t is congressional in
vestigation that the people are demand
Ing. They are fast coming to the con-
olusion that matters concerning this
Cuban affair. including the De LONE
letter incident and the loss of the
Maine. OF which they ought to know, are
being concealed from them. The people
want to know the facts and they will
know them"
No Reflection IN Anybody's Honor.
Mason said he did not desire to re-
fleet upon the motives or honor of any,
body. but he suggested that the officials
OF the navy department in making their
investigation would be trying their own
case and would naturally endeavor to
cover up any blame that might attach
TO them. THE trouble with US is" de-
clared Mason. with great vehemence,
that We have adopted the Spanish
policy Of putting everything off until
tomorrow. Let the investigation of this
disaster TO our navy and to our country
be thoroughly investigated by congress
and then we shall know that IL will be
done right"