The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-22
EAGLE ON WATCH.
Mr.. Cousins Eloquent Tribute to
Maine Sailors.
THE RELIEF BILL PASSES THI
HOUSE WITHOUT DIVISION.

|
| Samoan Scandal Recalled-Debate Saved
From sordid Tone by Iowa Congress
mans Beautiful Tribute.
! Washington, March 21.-The House
today unanimously passed the bill for
the relief of the survivors and victims
of the Maine disaster. The bill REIN
burses the surviving officers and men for
the losses they sustained of an amount
not to exceed years sea pay and directs
the payment of sum equal to years
pay to the legal heirs of those who per
ished. There was quite spirited debate
over an amendment suggested by Mr.
Cannon to give the survivors each
years pay out of hand instead of attempts
ing to re imburse them for actual losses.
Some old alleged scandals in connection
with the reimbursement of the survivors
of the Samoan disaster were raked up.
but the debate in the end was saved from
a rather sordid tone by beautiful tribute
paid to the gallant dead by Mr.. Cousins
of Iowa. in short, but eloquent speech.
He aroused the galleries to spontaneous
applause when he said that while the
vultures might be watching over the
dark waters of Havana harbor for the
belated dead, above all the eagles pierc-
ing eye was watching for the truth. The
remainder of the day was occupied in
the consideration of the old claim of John
Roach, the ship builder, for 1881 ,000.
No action was taken upon the claim.
The blind chaplain of the House, in
his invocation today, prayed that the
members might meet with patience the
problems of the week and dispose of them
to the highest and best interests OF all
concerned. ,8
Immediately after the reading OF the
Journal the Speaker recognized Mr..
Boutelle, chairman of the committee on
naval affairs, who called up the bill for
the relief of the survivors of the victims
of the Maine disasters. .
Mr.. Boutelle said that the purpose and
provisions of the bill were well under
stood and SO far as he was concerned he
thought debate unnecessary. Still he
was ready to yield toss the desiresof the
House. "A
Mr. Bailey said there was no disposit-
ion on his side of the House to debate the
bill. Such matters as members on his
side desire to speak about in connection
with the disaster, they would reserve to
the naval appropriation bill He gave
notice of an amendment he would offer.
Without debate, therefore, the bill was
read by sections for amendments. a.
Several minor committee amendments
were agreed.
Mr.. Cannon of the committee on ap.
preparations, offered an amendment to
allow the survivors, officers and men 12
months sea pay without rations in full
compensation for losses sustained by
them. This provision, he Thought, pre-
ferable to one to indemnify them for the
losses sustained, limited in amount to l2
months sea pay. He called attention to
the fact that in the case of the Samoan
was about the maximum. He thought
a provision for compensation for actual
losses might lead some Of the survivors
into the temptation of magnifyin2
their claims. There would be also this
advantage in voting directly years sea
pay. 1t would obviats delay and the
meditation of claimst attorneys. While
he said, it should Go the generous thing.
MIR. Boutelle as this point concluded,
as debate was to be indulged in, that it
would be we'll for him to make gem
eral statement. He then explained briefly
that it was the idea of the committee
Congress should bs as liberal towards the
victims of the Maine disaster as it had
those who suffered in the Samoan dis
aster, and this bill had been drawn along
the lines of the bill passed for the relief
of the Samonian victims he commit
toe did not believe the surviy ors should
be reimbursed beyond the actual losses
incurred. The provision relating to ths
fling of tho schedule of losses made and
sworn to had been carefully hedged about
opd coJr1d pot ba critiyciyad s11ccnSSfJJ1-
ly.
Mr.. Bailey asked what the sea pay of
the highest officer of the unfortunate
vessel was.
"Capt. Sigsbee's pay is about 81. SOC" +"
answered Mr.. Boutelle.
"1hen under the proposed amendment
he would receive that amount. no matter
what loss he sustained"
EXACTLY" &
''WhRt wns. the, largest amount paid
under the bill for the relief OF the
Samoan victims?"
About Sc ,00a. -
MIR. Boutelle said he did not imagine
gallant officers OF the Maine would dream
Of being reimbursed beyond the actual
amount of the losses they sustained.
p Mr. Boutelie and MIR. Cannon had
rather spirited exchange of personalities.
The former criticized the latter's attitude
toward the Dill Rnu tina latter Sald ne Was
responsible re to his constituents and the
general public sentiment of the country,
NOT the gentleman from Maine, for his
posi- len.
''Ihe gentleman does not live on Gods
footstool,'' said he, "who possess the
ability TO merit the appreciation of the
gentleman from Maine.' daughter
Proceeding. Mr.. Cannon again advo,
Gated his amendment, pointing out that
the average value of the regular equip
ment CT a ships crew was 500. yet In
almost every instance, the claims OF
the members of the crews OF the
ships which went down at Samoa
contained practically a years pay.
Americans, Cinnamon and others on those
SHIPS submitted schedules detailing
losses, aggregating practically the maxi
mum amount they could obtain under
the Samoan act AS q practical legis!a-
tor, be thought his amendment was wise
and should be adopted.
Mr.. Bailey said at first he had been
disposed to favor the Cannon amendment.
He had heard something of the scandal
in connection with the Samoan act ana
did not desire a repetition OF that ols'
graceful espisode, But, upon closer ex-
animation he thought the provision IN
the bill preferable.