The Saint Paul globe., 1898-06-10
SENATE STIRS SCANDALS
SHIPS THAT WERE CONDEMNED
TO PLEASE OWNERS

Ugly Charges In the Mater of De-
cIaring the Centennial Uusea-
worthy-spirited DenisIs of th2
Charges Preferred - Methodist
Book Concern Lobbyists Cause the
Senate to Regret Recent Action.
WASHINGTON, June 9.-The senate
stirred UP a pretty scandal today dur
the course of a discussion of the mat
ter of securing transports for the Phil
ippines' expedition. The debate was
precipitated by bill, reported from
the committee on commerce, by Mr..
Gallinger, providing American regis
ters for the steamers Olympia, Vic
toria, Tacoma, Columbia, Arizona and
Argyle, of the Northern Pacific Steam
ship company. He expressed the hope
the bill would be passed at once, as
the ships were needed by the govern
ment to transport troops to Manila
Philippine islands. The vessels are all
hying, at present, the British flag Mr..
Galilnger said that the war department
mad found 1t difficult to obtain trans
port ships on the Pacific coast. One
or the vessels secured, the Centennial
had been found unseaworthy and it
was the purpose of the committee on
commerce to take steps 20 secure the
repeal OF the act providing American
registry for the Centennial.
This statement gave rise to a DIS
cussion that developed some sensa-
tional disclosures
Mr.. Perkins (Cal9 sarcasticany in
quired of Mr.. Gallinger whether he
supposed the vessels which he pro-
posed to provide with American regis
try were any better than the Centen-
NAL had proved to be.
MIR. CARTER VIGOROUS.
Mr.. Carter Mont) entered upon an
explanation of the declaration that the
Centennial was unseaworthy. TIE
snip, he understood from perfectly
trustworthy sources, was a thoroughly
sound vessel. She had been carefully
examined in Puget sourd by properly
designated officers of ths government
ana mad been declared absolutely sea-
worthy: She had been gwen a first-
class clearance by the British authori
ties, and was regarded by those com
petent 10 judge as a fine vessel She
hau peen japanese transport in the
war between Japan and China, and had
performed most satisfactory service.
me fact seem 20 be- Sc id Mr.. Car
yer, That a numbsr of gent emen en-
Sdseu In shipping on the Pacific coast
nave peen engaged in h lding I'D the
united States government fer eXcrb:-
taht prices for tfa-c.G.a :. sh .ps The ar
rival OF the Centennial at San Fran
cisco, and the granting 10 her os an
AHle1can register was a notice to the
Patriotlc gentlemen who were en-
CeaVorlng to get The eoVerY ment bv The
L
and they entered into a coEsp:racy to
preak down the reputation Of the YES
SCI. secretary Alger ordered that an
cther examination he m2de of the Cen
tenhlal, and it was net deemed advis-
apie 10 take any chances of sending
troops to the Pailir piaes In ar ursea-
worthy vessel. This Terort said Mr.
Carter, was set 10 AGAINST the two rs-
ports which had ! e n made fl ON Pug
sound. tEe examination upon which one
OF the latter had been based having
been made in dry 5ck
RMS Whcle transac ion," declared
MI. carter, bears the earmarks Of u
San francisco ship owners to hold uo
the government and force it to pay in
ordinate and eXtorti0nate transDort
charges
There was a spirited defense of the
ship owners by Mr.. Call of California
and then the bill, which had started the
debate, was passed without division.
ANOTHER SCANDAL.
Mr.. Lodge Mass) preciptiated
lively discussion by off ring the follow
ing resolution:
That the committee claims be directed to
inquire and report to whom the money is paid
under the claim of the Methodist Book Con-
Germ South; and also as to all circumstances
connected with the passage of the bill pro-
vlolng for the payment of said claim and with
the subsequent payment of the money under
said act of congress.
Mr. Lodge explained that when the
h!li approprfating $2S9, 900 to paw the
claim of the Methodist Book Concern
was before the senate, he had offered
an amendment providing that no more
than $1,000 should be paid to auy agent
or lobbyist fer wo,k king up the bill, Hi:
amendment had been received with in
o1Snatlon, and as reflection upon the
honor or men Who were rendering 10 the
Methodist Church South a service of
love
We were assured" said Mr.. Ledge.
that no part of the sum appropriated
was to be paid to agents, but it now
develops that contract existed r the
payment of 35 per cent of the procseds
of the claim to lobbyists, and that one
man has received the immense sum Cf
Si00, 500"
hT Lodge tnen presented several
newspaper clippings tending to prove
his claim.
In response to a question he said he
made no charge against the Methodist
Church South, but in the clippings
which he presented there were serious
charges against the accredited agents
&C the church.
OMNIBUS BILL.
Without dispcs.ng of the Lodge reso-
luton the senate took up private pen-
sion bills and passed forty-four of
them.
Consideration of the Omnibus claim
BILL, which was read yesterday, was
resumed. After some unimportant
amendments were agreed to, the senate
substitute was passed. The measure. as
passed, carries over SO, 900, ,0OO A con-
ference on the bill with the house was
asked and Messrs. Teller, Pasco and
Stewart were appointed as the senate
confereeS.
Among the bills passed was one to
amend an act for the relief and civiiiza-
tion Of the Chippewa Indians in Mime
Scta.
A bill for the Incorporation of the
International American bank was made
the unfinished business.
The senate at Abs p. m. went into ex-