The times., 1898-02-19

was delivered in the Senate yesterday
some sensational speeches. Mr.. Aliens
resolution of the day before, TO which
Mr. Chandler had objected. came up car
ly. and precipitated debate that was
fun of startling incidents and eliminated
in a bitter attack on Mr.. Mason of llli-
nois by Mr.. Wolcott of Colorado, who
asserted that the fiery Illinois Senator
had reflected upon the navy of the United
States Mr. Mason Indignantly denied
the charge and came back at Mr.. VOL
cott in kind. Mr.. Hale. MIR. Lodge, Mr..
Hawley and Mr.. Allen engaged in the dis
cussion and at the conclusion of the
morning hour-2 o'clock-the Allen reso-
lution went to the calendar.
The debate was precipitated when Mr.
Mason offered an amendment TO the Al
len resolution providing for an immediate
investigation of the loss of the battleship
by the Senate committee, so as TO pro-
vide that that investigation should be
conducted by a special joint committee of
the two Houses. 1t WAS apparent at the
outset that there wassa majority in favor
Of the resolution, bat some argued that
a vote for the resolution would be tanta-
mount to a vote of lack of confidence
tailed TO make the investigation.
When Mr.. Allen called up his resolution
Mr. Mason offered his amendment provid
ing for an investigation by a joint Con-
gressional committee. Mr.. Hale at once
antagonized the amendment as well as
the original resolution.
II hope" said the Senator from Maine.
that the Senator from Illinois will not
push that proposition. All this matter is
being thoroughly investigated by the
Navy Department, and will he reported
TO Congress.
Il saw the Secretary of the Navy this
morning and talked with him about it.
and he was thoroughly reasonable in his
proposition in regard 10 the matter.
HE stated that already he had set on
foot such an investigation as is always
done when there Is the loss of ship or
vessel.
I'VE have this morning put through
resolution giving him ample funds, and
the work will be done thoroughly. and
speedily reported TO Congress
Now the Senator from Illinois, l think.
viii see that another investigation at this
time is simply embarrassing his depart
ment of the Government. u seems to
me that we ought not In any way TO EN-
barrass the SecretaIy's investigation.
y, for one, hope the whole matter will
pass this morning without involving con-
IlONtESN ana deDale because I ne incident
is so melancholy and of such "a tragic
nature that il seems to me talk should
not be made on il, and / am willing to
withdraw any opposition TO the passage
of resolution. if the word Immediately
Is struck out"
Bur Mr.. Mason did not propose that his
resolution should be thus summarily
dealt with. He wanted something done.
His heart was bleeding for Cuba and for
b. sail xfbn hal sn rl,.i-
on the Maine, and he believed the time
had come for action by this Government,
and he believed that the most thorough
and rigid investigation should be made
Of the causes that led TO the destruction
OF the magnificent battleship that now
lies at the bottom of Havana : harbor.
Il have no disposition, said Senator
Mason as he began a speech which was
expected TO be rather plain and TO the
point. but which no one thought would be
quite so sensational as it proved. Ito
arouse or excite this question already so
exciting.
The People Are Being Fooled.
My amendment 10 the resolution is
not for this reason / understand the De
oartment is making its own investigation,
sut I also understand that any investiga-
ion that could be made by Congress
would not interfere with the Navy in
Vestigation. ] also understand that the
people Of this country are fast coming
10 the conclusion that the real situation
Is not only being concealed from the peo-
pie. but from the members of The Con-
gress and the Senate.
We have right to know something |
about this situation.
Il say that the people do lack confidence
in some Of the departments of this Gov /
ernment and sometimes i'm this Depart
ment
What possible harm can il do to a fun
and fair investigation that two depart
nents of the Government are inVestigat- |
ing the same thing al the same time?
Is IL not trus that this great and ter |
ible calamity came TO the Navy Depart
nent. and that in its investigation by
hat department il must be considered
hat men are human. and that whatever
he legitimate and true cause of this dis
ster may be. is there not danger that If
var shall follow, it might prove TO
'e mistake on the part of this Govern
nent in allowing one department 10 in
'estigate itself, and practically try its
'wn case?
1T is all very well for the Senator
rom Maine to say that the findings of
his investigation by the Navy Depart
nent Will reported TO Congress Ii is |
III very well TO have that high concen-
lon that everyone else will do the right
nd proper thing.
e have adopted the Spanish doctrine |
Il tomorrow, tomorrow. tomorrow.
Three years has this country dilly- |
allied with this question and without
tempting TO stop the murder of women |
nd children, and now in this emergency
'e are told that all we can do is to wait | ,
The loss of the battleship Maine has
In.
n. This incident of the loss of the bat
eship is used TO attract the attention of
he American people while the murder !
ne hand of the Spaniard is busy.
Let there be an investigation. not only |
Y the Navy Department who control this ,
htp,and who have the death of these sea-
1en lives at heart, but also let the Repre-
of the people make an inves-
gation; let us employ some divers not |
ecessarily of Spanish birth. Let the
lembers or this body vote for n COM
littee TO investigate, and when the evil
ence is heard let il be heard by all the ;
'orid, and not locked up in any execu-
We box of the Government.
u believe this committee should be ap-
ointed by the President of the Senate
nd the Speaker of the House. / will not 5
onsent 10 the striking out of the word ]
If there is anything i'm the
'orld that interests the American peo-
lie today. it is, Who blew up the battle I
hip Maine; who destroyed the lives of
he American citizens on board her and
no is responsible? And the answer must !
e immediate. Why should we delayo ]
fe have waited too long already
Every man who has spoken for hber- ,
: on this continent has told YOU that 9
ear after year. but. Wait you said: I
Wait. the summer or the winter is COM !
g on, until the night has succeeded the l
ay. and the month the month. and we '