Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-02-25
DRAMATIC DEBATE.
Senator Mason Made Charges
Against the Navy Department.

session of Congress was precipitated Fri
day in the Senate over the resolution of
Senator Allen of Nebraska directing the
Senate committee on naval affairs to make
an investigation into the cause of the loss
of the Maine. Senator Mason, the Chica-
go hot head, proposed TO amend by pro-
viding for an investigation by joint com.
mittee of the two houses of Congress
Not content with assuming that the de-
struction of the ship and the loss of so
many officers and men were due to Span
ish treachery, and that all Spaniards were
assassins, he charged that our own navy
department could not be trusted and that
the officers of the navy would deliberately
conspire to conceal the truth in the mat
ter.
He charged that there was concealment
already, and intimated that Capt. Sigsbee
and the officials of the department knew
what had caused the loss of the Maine, but
were hiding the facts. 1t was all, in his
eyes, part of diabolical conspiracy to
continue the starvation of men, women
and children in Cuba.
Senators listened to the remarkable
speech in amazement. Not even the oc-
cupants of the galleries, who are usually
ready enough to manifest their approval
of a jingostic declaration, were in har-
mony with Senator Mason. His most i'm
FASHIONED utterances failed to secure even
a ripple of applause.
Senator Wocott was on his feet in mo-
ment. He had listened TO his colleague
with evident dispeasure, and he was very
emphatic in his opening words.
THE resolution of the senator from H.
linois, however inopportune it may be at
this time" he said, might well have been
permitted to pass without comment, had
1t not been for the remarkable utterance
which he has given TO the effect that the
people of these United States have lost
confidence in one of the great departments
Of the government"
81 made no such statement" said Sena-
tor Mason.
Senator Wolcott called for the reading
of the reporters notes, and continued: ~
desire TO resent the suggestion that there is
a patriotic citizen in this land" he said,
"who has not the fullest confidence in ev-
cry department OF this government, and
in the department of the navy particular
ly. Least Of all is it decent, in my opin-
ion, that in this chamber there should be
insinuations cast at this critical time that
there is a lack in the minds of the people
of the United States of confidence in the
navy of our country.
From the time of Paul Jones our ships
have sailed in every war, face always to
the foe. The records of our naval battles
are the most glorious history in the page
of any country for the last 100 years
| do not know what slums the senator
from Illinois may have dragged to find the
expression that there is lack Of confidence
in the personnel of our navy, but | know
he cannot find an honorable or a decent or
patriotic citizen who will stand up be-
fore the country and indorse for an instant
the utterances which he has made.
al do not underrate the importance of
this branch of the government; but what
we need now, in my opinion, is a decent
and dignfed reticence in the face of an
appalling calamity. There are times for
speaking and there are times for silence.
"lf ever there was a moment when we
should abstain from outrageous and gratu-
itous insult TO friendly nation, that time
is today. II ever there was time when
we should lend our help to every depart
ment of the government, it should be to-
day. II there was ever a time when we
should refrain from unjust and ignorant
criticism, it is today.
"War may COME think the day may
will fight it alone. When that day comes
our course must be eternaly grounded in
the right, and until it comes there is moth
ing so belittles this people, in my opinion,
as these unjust and outrageous attacks up
on friendly government.
Senator Lodge followed Immediately.
1--WE are face to face with great national
calamity" he said. THE American peo-
pie have received the awful news of the
sinking Of the warship Maine with SPLEEN
did silence and self restraint, both in Con-
gress and throughout the country. They
are waiting sternly, quietly, to know the
truth, and the truth they will have.
"There is only one way to get at the
truth of this matter, and that is through
the naval officers who have been selected
already to perform that duty. Can any
one suppose that the naval officers of the
United States, men upon whose career in
the past and whose conduct in the present
there Is no. and has never been blemish,
would seek to conceal the facts in such a
case?
81 am sorry that any debate has arisen
on this question. 1t seems TO me that the
attitude of Congress ever since that awful
news arrived has been in the highest de-
gree dignifed and worthy. We have not
shrieked or talked. We have waited in a
silence OF much deeper meaning than any
words. We want to know the truth. If it
was an accident which destroyed the Maine,
then let us provide as far as human fore,
sight can against a recurrence. If it was
treachery, then the righteous wrath of the
American people will take a signal venge-
ance for the treachery which sent that ship
to the bottom, and let no one think to stay
it,"
Senator Mason made short reply "Mis-
quotation and general spasm will not drive
me from the discussion of this question, -
he began. He shared, he said, in the gen.
eral admiration for the various departments
of the executive branch of the government.
81 am only sorry" he continued, "that,
while the Colorado Senator is giving us
such lecture about the navy department,
he does not slop over and give the treas
ury department some of his praise"
Senator Hale ended the debate by read
ing despatch from Capt. Sigsbee. Be-
fore he finished it was two o'clock, and the
resolution went over.
Allen OF Nebraska Precipitates Another
Cuban "FIeld Day" In the Senate.
The excited feeling on the Cuban ques-
II