New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-19

experience in the Senate known one Of these in
vestga tons to result IN anything"
Mr.. Hale and said deliberately: II decline
absolutely 70 follow the Senator from Illinois tMr.
Mason into general discussion Of the Cuban
question had hoped that this subject might be
disposed Of to-day without debate. and | nov de-
cline to take advantage OF the melancholy situa-
ton to exploit myself | have here dispatch re-
ceived by the Navy Department from Captain
Sgsbee II shows that there is not in the city OF
Havana a single discordant note. All arc In mourn
Ing for the dead. The city Is filed with at
mosphere Of pity commiseration and sympathy"
Mr.. Hale then read the cable dispatch from Cap
tain Sigsbee. briefly descriptive Of the funeral OF
the victims Of the Maine and the sentiment in
Havana.
dispatch was concluded. Mr. Hale remarked thai;
under the rules the resolution would go 10 the
calendar.
THE SALVAGE RESOLUTION.
Soon after the Senate met Mr. Hale rep. Me)
obtained the floor and introduced the following
joint resolution:
That the Secretary Of the Navy be and he Is
wrecking company companies having proper IA
ctles for the prompt and efficient performance
or submarine work for the purpose or recovering
the remains Of officers and men lost on the United
States steamer Maine. and Of saving the vessel or
guns. material equipment. fittings and appurte-
names as may be practicable. and for THIS pur-
be necessary is hereby appropriated and made i'm
mediatey available.
The resolution prepared az the Navy De-
partment and introduced At the request OF Score
tary Long who in forwarding It to Mr. Hale. also
sent n letter explaining It's purpose. He says IN
this letter that EFT Is deemed proper and important
that steps should be taken Immediately 10 recover
the remains Of the officers and men lost on the oc-
cason OF this most disastrous catastrophe to raise
the vessel or such parts OF her possible.
To this the Secretary adds: The meagre nfor-
nation received respecting the nature and extent
Of the injury sustained by the hull OF the Maine
renders 1t difficult determine at this time
whether there is reason to hope that the vessel
herself may he raised. but II seems probable. :
she lies within the protection Of n harbor and is
wholly submerged. that much valuable prop
erty may be recovered II tho necessary action Is
taken without delay. Tho vessel with her stores.
guns material. equipment fittings and appurte
nances. cost approximately S,Oo'1D. As an Illus
traton OF the value OF single Items which may
have escaped serious injury. It may be said that
the ten-inch guns OF which the Maine carried
four were worth. with their mounts. $500 each.
Aside from the duty resting upon the Government
and bring this country for burial. II
this may be done. the bodies OF the officers and men
who lost their lives IN this disaster. Il is believed
that much valuable property may yet be saved
from the vessel. In any event. IT is OF the utmost
Importance that whatever Is 70 he done In this
matter should be entered upon without delay. The
sinking Of the Maine will ne made the subject Of
immediate and exhaustive inquiry. and Congress
will be fully advised Of the results OF such investi
CATION"
COST OF THE NAMES OUTFIT.
Mr. Long says that In fixing the asked for
the Department Is AT this time unable to estimate
the necessary expense with any degree Of accuracy,
but ne gays he has conferred with the Bureau Of
Construction and Repair. and that in case the APP
propria ton Is granted only much Of II as will he
found necessary will be expended in the work.
The Secretary lncloses the following table. show
Ing the cost Of a number Of items in the ordinary
r 49,.