Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-18
respect our position.

Dir. Lodge said this was question
| which involved the death OF American
i seaman ia Havana aud that the only
way to get at the truth was through
the naval officers. No one could di:-
trust the naval officers or doubt that
they would tell the truth. No one be-
lieves that Captain Sigsbee would lie.
Mr.. Mason followed Mr.. Lodge and
charged Mr. Wolcott with making a
statement that was not borne out by
any statement made by him (Msson).
He was sorry that the great admiration
Mr.. Wolcott had for the navy depart
ment had not stopped over" to the
treasury department. This caused a
laugh among Senators aud spectators.
He did not like Mr.. Wolcott's allusiou
that he got his information from the
Sums.
Senator Hawley said the Cuban
question did not enter into the matter
of the loss of the Maine. he thought
it was improper to make illusions to
"our enemits 81 at this time, as We had
none. Two investigations could not
60 on at once.
Mr.. Allen followed in criticism Of
the secrecy both in the partments
and the Senate and the balance OF the
! Capitol. The foreign relations commit
tee did not permit the Senators to know
what was going on.
Senator Piatt said thatin complaining
abou. the secrecy of the Senate he was
casting a reflection upon the investiga
ton he was trying to have made Of the
Maine disaster.
Mr.. Hale said that it would be better
to have no warning upon the subject
of Cuba on the floor of the Senate. He
had read the dispatch from Captain
Slgsbee received by Secretary Long
y which be said. showed that in Havana
to day there was nothing but profound
! sympathy for the unfortunate occur
renee.
The resolution went to the calendar
without vote.
Mr.. Bacon offered resolution for o
memorial tablet in the Capitol of the
officers and crew of the Maine.
The Senate then went into executive
session.
HOUSE.
There were seven members on the
floor when the House resumed its sit
ting to-day at / o'clock to which time
recess was taken last night. The
purpose OF extending the sessions was
to afford more time for the discussion
OF the bankruptcy bill.
Mr.. Henry was the first speaker to.
| IN ba
9 There were three other speakers be
fore - o'clock when the regular session
began-Mr. Rixey for the bill and
Messrs. Linney and Loye against the
me ,sure.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal at uoon, Mr.. Boutelle, chairman
of the naval committee, asked unai-
nous consent for the consideration Of
the resolution prepared by the navy
department and passed by the Senate.
The mere mention of the Maine dis
aster on the floor brought members in
crowds from the cloak rooms and lob
bic, and they thronged down the
aisles to listen. The spectators in the
galleries leaned over with breathless
interest as Secretary Longs letter was
read.
1T is unnecessary to say" said Mr..
| B)utelle, Il, the conclusion Of the read
ing of the letter from Secretary Long,
that the work OF salvage should begin
at once and that arrangements with
the wrecking companies which have
necessary outfits should not be delayed.
deem it proper to call attention TO the
fact that Secretary Long recognizing
that Congress was in session, has come
here for authority to do this work it
stead Of stfaning any authority he
might possess independently"
Mr.. Bailey called attention to the
fact that the resolution only spoke Of
recovering the bodies, not Of their re
turn to this country, but ne added that
there need be no tickling on this point.
Mr. Boutele replied that the secre-
tary had referred in his letter TO his
duty in that regard. He said he had
just received a telegram from Secretary
Long this morning containing the latest
information from Captain Sigsbee and
that it might be Of interest TO members
"Read it Read ii ~ came in chorus
from the members and Mr.. Boutelle
then read the cable from Captain Sgs-
bee, which had already been given out
by the Navy Department.
Mr.. Sulzer asked Mr.. B1uttlle if he
had any Information, official or other
wise, that threw any light on the cause
of the distaser.
Il must reply as l did yesterday"
replied Mr.. BOutelle, that | regret
to say l have not. But all the
info rmstion at hard seems to strengthen
the belief that it was due to an acc
dent
Mr.. Cannon, chairman vi the apprc-
pratiops committee, said that while he
was heartily in favor Of the resolution,
be wanted it understood that this was
not to be construed as a precedent.
II hope there are to he no more such
cases to follow this" observed Mr..
Bailey.
The resolution was then adopted
unanimously.
T0-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
From Richmond.
RICHMOND, Feb. 1S.-The appropria-