The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-02-19
Mason Of Illinois Makes a Speech
on al Investigation Res
'OlutiOn.
Practically Accuses the Govern
ment Officials Of Suppressing
Information.
Senator Wolcott Replies, Resent
inc lnsinuatiOns and Deplor-
inc the Debate.

AsInNGToN. Feb. 49, Mr.. Mason |
has offered an amendment to the Allen |
resolution for an investigation Of the
Maine disaster, providing for special
committee to make the investigation.
Mr.. Hale asked that the matter not be
pushed. Mr.. Mason in reply said it
was evident that the facts in regard to
Cuba were being concealed from the
people Of the country and from con.
Sress.
Mr. Mason said the policy of the gov
ernment was delay, aud nothing was
stopping the murder Of people in Cuba.
The De LONE letter had not stopped
the murders. The Maine disaster had
not stopped them. 1t was time for the
senate to act. Mr.. Mason said be did
not want the facts regarding the Maine
locked up in the executive departments.
Mr.. Mason said we have waited while
the diplomats have deceived US. They
had sat at our table and misrepresented
the situation Mr. Mason said that
while diplomats delayed. 25O Of our
brave seamea were lying III the harbor
at Havana.
Mr.. Hale said he hoped there would
be no cxasperating debate III the senate
while this matter was beng investl.
gated by the senate. He deplorcd the
reflections which Were made upon the
navy department
Mi Hale said the whole world de.
plored the great tragedy lie hoped
the senator (MaSon) would see the I'M
propriety Of ;he position he was taking.
Mr.. Mason said he meant no reflection
on Secretary Long, but an investiga.
tlon by congress could not interfere
with the navy department.
Mr. Mason said the American people
were tired Of investigation behind
closed doors: that with $50 seamen
lying at the bottom of Havana harbor.
the people of the United States wanted
to know whether she was blown up by
her enemies or from spontaneous com.
bustion.
Mr.. Mason said that if it was found
that the Maine disaster was result OF
accident, the people wonld BE- better
satisfied if committee of congress
should find it SO, and no harm would
be done.
Mr.. Mason said that the president
, said in his message that one reason
why he had hesitated to interfere was
because Of the promise Of autonomy,
and yet, ut the same time. the Span
iards were denouncing the government.
Senator Wolcott created sensation
in replying to Mr. Mason.
MIR. Wolcott said the senator from
Illinois had said the people were losing
confidence in ono Of tho great depart.
: ments Of the government; 4 statemen,
that could not 60 unchallenged.
Mr. Mason sought to interrupt Mr.
: Wolcott, but the latter peremptorily de.
:. = clined to be interrupted, and insisted
= that the words be read.
He then said he desired to resent a.
utterly unfounded the insinuation tina
the people strustcd any department
. of the government. He resented cs
! pecially 4 statement on the floor OF the
u senate that there was any distrust o
{ the navy, any especially during thi.
calamitous and terrible time. Thi
country, said he, will never stand an,
listen 10 insinuations that our officer.
o will lie. He did not know what slum
the senator from Illinois had dragge,
Q to secure n basis for his remarks. IL
): declared that tho investigation of tn
IL terrible disaster would be conducts
t fairly. Today we should refrain fror
:. insulting friendly nation. aud out
il raseous CRITICISM of our own people.
IL Mr.. Wolcott said war might come
/. In fact it might not be far distant, bu
II our conduct must be such rs to max
r. us respect ourselves and make nation
y respect our position.
% Mr.. Lodge Mass said this was
Il question which involved the death {
n American seamen in Havana, and tina
the only way to get at tho truth wa
through the naval officers. Mr.. Lodg
said no ono could distrust the nav;
70 officers or doubt that they would te
10 the truth. No one believes that Captai
s. Sigsbee would lie. Speaking Of Seer,
IL tary Long, he said he was an honore
'. citizen Of Massachusetts,. No one b.
l. lieyes that he would conceal anythin
Il; Of tho great disaster. Mr.. Lodge sal
I. that mono Of those who knew Roos
III Welt, the assistant secretary, believe
that he would do anything to decei,
the people. Mr.. Lodge said that up
!. this time the action Of the America
" congress in the face Of the great disa
- tor, had been dignified. and it was
be regretted that this debate had arise
d. Gcrmauy aud France Get Now Guns.
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