The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-02-19


the government. He resented especial.
~ a statement on the floor OF the sen
ate that there was any dlstrnst OF tho
navy, and especially during this call
amitous and terrible time. This coun-
try, said he. will never stand and listen
10 insinuations that our officers VIII lie.
Hc did not know what slums the scn-
ator from Illinois had dragged 20 &C.
cure a basis for his remarks. He de-
clafed that the Investigation OF the ter
rible disaster would be conducted fair.
~. @
To-day we should refrain from In
sultlng a friendly nation and outrage.
GUS criticism OF our own people.
Mr.. Wolcott said war might come. In
fact II might not be far distant, but
our conduct must be such as to make
us respect ourselves and make nations
respect our position.
Mr.. Lodge, (Mass.), sold this was Il
question which involved the death or
American seamen IN Havana and that
the only way 10 get at tho truth was
through the naval officers. Mr.. Lodge
said no one could distrust the naval Of.
flcers or doubt that they would tell the
truth. No one believes that Captain
Sigsbce would lie. Speaking OF secrc.
tary Long, he said he was an honored
citizen OF Massachusetts. No one be-.
lieves that he would conceal anything
OF the great disaster. Mr.. Lodge said
that none OF those who knew Roose-
vclt, the assistant secretary, believes
that he would do anything TO deceive
the people. Mr., Lodge said that UP TO
this time the action OF the American
l,, 80 la -
had been dignitlcd and Il was TO be re-
Grettcd that this debate had arisen to-
day.
Mr.. Mason followed Mr.. Lodge. and
charged Mr.. wolcot. With making a
statement that was not borne out By
any statement made by him (Mason).
He Was sorry that the G:eat admiration
Mr.. Wolcott had for the navy depart
mept had not stopped over" to the
treasury department.
This caused laugh among senators
and spectators
Mr., Mason said he did not like Mr..
Wolcotts allusioa that he got his infor-
nation from the slums.
Senator Hawley said the Cuban qucs-
tion did not enter into the matter OF the
loss OF the Maine. He thought 1t was
improper to make illusions TO "our en-
emics" at this time, as I've had none.
Two Investigations could not go on al,
once.
At O'clock the resolution went to
the calendar without vote.
Mr.. Bacon. (Ga.), offered a resolution
for u memorial tablet in the capitol Of
the officers and crew OF the Maine.
The senate then went into executive
session on motion OF Mr.. Hale.
The house debated the bankruptcy
bill until noon and then Immediately
after the reading OF the journal Mr..
Boutelle, (Rep.. Me.), chairman of the
naval committee asked unanimous con-
sent for the consideration OF the resolu-
ton prepared by the navy department
and passed by the senate.
The mere mention Of the Maine dis
astcr on the floor brought members In
crowds from the cloak rooms and lob
bies and they th:onsed down the asles
to listen. The spectators In the CALLER
les leaned over With brca.hlesS sSl Interest
as secretary Longs letter was read.
"ftNis 0nhtcessar@ to say said Mr..
Boutelle. al the conclusion OF the read
Ing or the letter from Secretary Long.
that the work OF salvage should be-
gin at once and arrangements with the
wretking companies which have neces-
sary outfits should not be delayed.
deem it proper 10 call attention TO the
fact that, Secretary Long recognizing
that Congress was ih session, has como
here 70: authority to 90 this wOck in
stead OF strainng any authority he
might possess independently"
Mr. Bailey called attention 10 the fact
that the resolution only spoke OF rccov-
ering the bodies, not OF their return 10
this country, but he added that there
need be no sticking on this point.
Mr. Boutclle replied that the secrc-
tarv had referred In his letter TO his
duty In that regard. He said he had Just
received telegram from Secretary
Long this morning containing the la
test Information from Captain Sissbee.
and that II might be OF interest to
members.
Read IT, "read It." came In chorus
from the members and Mr. Boutelle
then read the cable from Captain Sigs-
bee. which had already been given out
by the navy department.
Mr.. Sulzer, (Dem., y. ", asked Mr..
Boutelle Il he had any information, off,
cial or otherwise. that threw any light
on the cause OF the disaster.
Il must reply as did yesterday" re-
piled Mr.. Boutelle, that regret to sag
1 have not. But all the Information at
hand~seems TO strengthen the belief
that II was due 10 an accident"
The resolution was then adopted un-
animously.
The debate on the bankruptcy bill nli-
ed in the day.
Pensions anil Postmasters.