The Portland daily press., 1898-02-17

! Washington, February 16.-The debate
on the bankruptcy bill which is to con-
time until Saturday, when a vote will
be taken. opened in the House today, but
il attracted little attention, the interest
of the members being entirely absorbed
by the disaster of the Maine. At times
the hall of the House was almost deserted,
the members being congregated in the
Iobbies or cloak rooms discussing the
accident and speculating upon it's prob
able consequences. just before the
House adjourned, Mr.. Boutelle, chairman
luton which was unanimously adopted,
expressing regret for the disaster, con-
dolence with the families of those who
lost their lives and sympathy with the
injured.
Resolved, that the House of Represen-
of the great calamity which has caused
the destruction of the United States bat
tleship Maine, and the appalling loss of
more tkan $50 lives and the wounding
of many others of the gallant defenders Of
our flag and that the House expresses
it's sympathy for the injured, and it's
sincere coincidence with the families of
those who have lost their lives in the SER
vice of the nation
Before the question was put. Mr.. Bailey
asked Mr.. boutelle If his committee was
in possession of any information which
threw any light upon the cause of the
accident.
81 regret to say that we have no infor-
A.. Ill lofl ;oh
conclusion could be based. My. own
impression, which may not be of value,
is that it was an accidental occurrence.
The speakers on the bankruptcy bill
were: In favor of the measures: Messrs.
Henderson, Republican of Iowa; Lam
ham, Democrat of Texas, and Burke,
Democrat of Texas. In opposition:
bama; Bell, Populist of Colorado; Henry,
Democrat of Texas, and McRae. Demo-
Graz of Arkansas and Cochrane, Democrat
of Missouri.
The House adjourned at p. M.
IN THE SENATE
Washington, February 16.-A discussion
on our coast defenses was the interesting
feature of the Senate today. Many sena-
tors took the ground that the appropri-
ations sh)uld be for the full amount of
the estimates by the war department.
Instead OF some IOur 1nlll1On less. Seua-
tors Perkins and Hale said that it was
the policy of the appropriations commit
tee to make an annual expenditure of
$40 ZOO, 900 a year for the Notifications
Senators Stewart, fHawley, Chandler and
Lodge spoke in favor OF increases. Sena-
tor Teller also advocated liberal expendi-
lures and during his remarks made sig
nificent illusions to Cuba and Hawaii.
In the early part OF the day there was
q discussion of the Kansas Pacific rail
road sale, but no action was taken.
Mr.. Hale moved that the resolution be
referred to the Pacific railroad commit
tee.
Mr.. Allen Of Nebraska objected to such
reference. He desired the Senate, he said,
to take action as would save the govern
ment the Sc, 700, 100 interest which would
be lost If the eale was confirmed. His
idea was to redeem the first mortgage
bonds and hold the road by putting 1T
in the hands of receiver. This plan
was opposed by Mr.. Spooner.
Mr.. Morgan made an extended argu-
ment in favor of the resolution and was
followed by mir, Thurston in a long dis
cussion of the Pacific railroad question.
At LBS p. m, the Senate went into exc
cutlve session and go remained until
sos o'clock. The Notifications appro-
priation bill was then taken up.
On motion of Mr.. Pettus, the appro-
priation for the construction of seawalls
and embankmspts was increased from
$50, 600 to S55, 900. An amendment. offered