The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-30
an IMPORTANT AMENDMENT
TO THE GENERAL DEFICIENCY BILL
ADOPTED BY THE SENATE.
Commission to BE Appointed with
Power TO Settle Indebtedness of
the Pacific Roads.

the thanks OF Congress to common sea-
men, specifically naming them in the reso-
luton. The resolution elected several pa
triotic speeches, in which the private SOL
diers of the army and the common sailors
of the navy were glowingly eulogized. The
resolutions recommended by the President
were adopted, rendering the thanks of Con-
gress to Naval Constructor Hobson and the
other heroes of the Merrmac and to Lieut.
Frank H. Newcomb, commander of the
revenue cutter Hudson, for his gallant
rescue of the Winslow and her crew off
sCardenas, and retiring on full pay Captain
Hogdsdon, of the McCulloch, for distin-
guished services at Manila.
Consideration of the general deficiency bill
was concluded and the measure was passed
An amendment of great Importance was at
tached to the BILL practically by general
consent 1t relates to the settlement of the
claims of the government against the Pa
cifc Railroads. 1t was offered by Mr.. Nor
gan, of Alabama, who made a strong APP
peal to the Senate for its adoption. Before
it was agreed to, Mr.. White, of California,
proposed some amendments to it, making it
even more binding upon the roads than it
was in it's original form The amendment
in full follows:
THAT the secretary of the treasury the
secretary of the interior and the attorney
general and their successors in Office, be,
and they are hereby appointed a commits
sion with full power to settle the indebted
ness to the government growing out otNthe
issue of BONDS in aid of the constructor of
the Central Pacific and Western Pacific
Dond-alded railr Dads. upon sucn terms and
In such manner as may be agreed on by
them, or ny majority of them, and the
owners OF said railroads; provided, that any
and all settlements thus made shall be sub
mitted in writing to the President for his
approval or disapproval and unless ap-
proved by him shall rot be binding.
That said commission shall not agree to
accept less sum in settlement of the
amount due the United States than the full
amount of the principal and all amounts
necessary to reimburse the United States
: for moneys paid for interest or otherwise.
And also provided, that said commission are
hereby empowered to grant such time or
times of payment by installment, and at
such rates of interest, to be not less than
per centum per annum, payable Semi-an-
commission may seem expedient; provided,
however, that in any settlement that may
be made the final payment and full dis
charge of said indebtedness shall not be
postponed to exceed ten years, and the
whole amount, principal and interest, shall
be paid in equal semi-annual installments
within the period so limited, and in any
settlement made it shall be provided that
| If default shall be made in any payment of
either principal or interest, or any part
thereof. then the whole sum and all INSTALL
ments, principal and interest shall immedi-
ately become due and payable, notwith-
standing any other stipulation of said set
tlement.
That there is hereby appropriated. out
OF any money in the treasury not otherwise
the expenses of said commission in making
the said settlement"
The bill. passed, carries about 1927 900, :
600, the largest sum carried by any appro-
prlation measure since the civil war.
RECOGNITION OF HEROES.
At the opening of the session Mr.. Frye
reported from the committee on commerce
joint resolution recognizing the gallantry
of Lieut.. Frank H. Newcomb commanding
the revenue cutter Hudson, and of his Off
GERS and men; also retiring Capt. Daniel B.
Hodgsdon of the revenue cutter service,
for efficient and mertorious services in COM
mand of the cutter Hugh McCuIloch at Ma
| Mia. The resolution extends the thanks of
| Congress to Lieutenant Newcomb for his
heroic gallantry. in the action at Cardenas,
| when he and his crew rescued the Winsloyv
| and such of her crew as had not been dis
| abled or killed, and provides for a suitable
medal of gold for Newcomb, silver medals
LOT MS olltcefs anu bronze medals for the
members OF his crew 1t also places Captain
Hodgsdon, of the McCulloch, on permanent
MAIL, Maii6ing orders at full.duty pay The reso-
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, of the naval commit
tee, then reported favorably a resolution
rendering the thanks of Congress to Naval
seven men, sunk the collier Merrimac across
the entrance to the barbor of Santiago de
Cuba, and providing for the transfer of Mr.
Hobson from the construction corps of the
navy TO the line. The resolution was also
adopted.
After the resolution had been adopted Mr.
Hoar, addressing himself to the action Just
taken by the Senate, said "All we do and
all we have done for Naval Constructor
br oDs9n IN IN of his
thanks of Congress. But in this case where
a deed of special heroism was performed
it seems to me that we ought to recognize
the men who volunteered to accompany him
on his perilous voyage. All were undergoing
the same risk, and the names of the entire
seven ought to be mentioned in the resolu-
ton. L would be glad to see this chamber
hlled with such heroes as those men are -
Mr.. Hoar said that such recognition by Con-
gress was one of the greatest marks of hon.
or that could be conferred upon any man
or men. Five hundred years hence the de-
ScendantS of these men would know and
would be proud to tell of the remarkable
feat they had performed. He hoped, there
fore, that Mr.. Hale would consent to have
the resolution reconsidered and the names
of all the heroes of the Merrimac inserted
in the resolution.
Mr.. Perkins said that he had in mind the
same suggestion, and had obtained from the
Navy Department an accurate list of the
names of the Merrimac volunteers
Mr. Hale said the President: always keen
ly alive to the proprieties, had suggested
the form of the resolution to Congress, but
he was certain that the suggested amend
Iiicul WOuiu iHecl HIS approval. Tie, there-
fore, moved the reconsideration of the res
olution that the names of the crew might
be incorporated.
Mr.. Sewell delivered a eulogy of the
American soldiers and sailors. He declared
that they were all heroes.
Mr.. Nelson hoped that the names of the
men who accompanied Lieut.. Hobson in his
perilcus undertaking would be Incorporated
in the resolution.
The resolution was so amended as to in
clude the names of the crew who accom-
panied Lieut. Hobson and adopted.
PEARL HARBOR.
Consideration of the general deficiency bill
was then resumed. The following amend
ment suggested by MIR. Hale gave rise to
considerable debate: For purchase, by
condemnation or otherwise, of not less than
800 acres of land t not exceeding $50 per
acre in Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Islands, for
a coaling and repair station. $4,000; and for
dredging the bar in said harbor to secure
channel OF not less than thirty feet in depth.
$lO5.00o in all $145. co.,
Mr.. Spooner suggested that the amend
ment was loosely drawn. He contended that
the Hawaiian Islands had not yet become a
part of the United States and that the land
could not under existing circumstances, be
condemned On his suggestion the amend
ment was so changed as 10 make the con-
demnation conditional upon its being prac-
Mr. Pestigrew stated that all the land
around the harbor was owned by private