The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-18

~ ",~
Passes the B.li-R-solution of Sym athy
With the Maine Sufferers Passed by IL o
House.
SENATE.
Washington, February ia discus
sion upon coast defenses was the in
teresting feature of the senate today.
Many senators took the ground that
the appropriations should be for the
full amount Of the estimates by the
war department, instead of some
81, ZOO, 600 less. In the early part of the
day there was a discussion Of the Kan
sas Pacific railroad sale, but no action
was taken.
executive session.
Open session was resumed at 3:15
o'clock, when the Notifications appro-
priations bills were taken up. Senator
Perkins, in the course of a statement
concerning it, said the committee on
appropriations was unanimous in its
action in increasing the aggregate
sum appropriated by the house bill.
Every member of the committee was in
favor of eac but all realized that
Tie p6St way " preserve peace was
to be prepared for war.
Senator Stewart thought that the APP
preparations should be increased so
that there should be nc more talk about
the defenSeleSS condition of the coasts.
Senator Chandler wanted an increase
made Upon powder and projectiles,
which could be Immediately available.
senator German opposed the in
crease, saying the country could not,
in Wow off Tho nrpcant onn6itinn of tha
finances and for other reasons afford
the increase.
Senator Stewart said we did not carry
on our negotiations with foreign gov
ernments in a proper manner, because
our great cities were not properly pro-
tected.
Senator Hawley favored liberal APP
propriations.
Senator Lodge advocated a steady
policy, looking TO the proper defense
of our SeacOaSt cities.
Senator Teller opposed the proposed
increase, saying it was better to leave
the amount as fixed by the committee.
| He agreed with those who did not con-
| slider a war among the early probabili-
! ties, but hat the time of peace was
the time to prepare for war. Still, the
| indications were strong for a general
war, and while the United States might
| escape by drawing it's head into it's
| shell like a turtle, still was as a great
| nation should be prepared for any
| emergency.
Here Senator Teller made an evident
! allusiol to the condition Of affairs in
| Cuba, saying it was our plain duty
J When a nation was conducting a war
upon our borders contrary to interna-
tional law and the rules of humanity,
to step to the front and tell that nation
it must desist, let the consequences be
to Us what they might.
| Senator Teller also spoke incidently
| of the Hawaiian question. He said
that if the United States wanted to
become anything more than a hermit
and escape war only by submitting to
insults it would a to prepare itself
to take part in the affairs of the world.
He not only wanted to provide the
ships, but he believed in sending them
where they were needed for the prOtec-
ton Of our people and occasionally to
places where their presence was de-
mande in the interest OF the human
race.
On motion of Senator Pettus, the ap-
preparation for the construction of
sea walls and embankments was in
creased from $50, 900 to 8 5000.
An amendment offered by Senator
Chandler, increasing the amount appro-
priated for powder and projectiles for
reserve supply for armament and for
tificationS from $3.50, 61S to $3.50, 618 was
accepted.
This completed the consideration of
the bill and it passed without division.
At sos o'clock h senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The debate on the bankruptcy bill,
which is to continue until Saturday,
when a vote will be taken, opened in
the house today, but it attracted little
attention, the interest Of the members
being entirely absorbed by the disaster
to the Maine. AT the time the hall of
the house was almost deserted, the
members being congregated in the lob
bieS or cloak rooms discussing the
accident and specializing upon its
probable consequences.
/. Just before the house adjourned Mr..
BOutelle, chairman OF the naval COM
mittee, presented the following resolu-
tion. which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the house of repre-
s~entatives has learned with profound
sorrow Of the great calamity which
has caused the Instruction Of the Unit
ed States battleShip Maine and the ap-
palling loss of more han $50 lives and
the wounding of many others OF the
gallant defenders Of our flag, and that
the house express its sympathy for the
injured and it's sincere condolences
with the families CT those who have
lost their lives in the service Of the
nation"
Before the question was put. Mr..
Bailey asked Mr.. Boutelle If his CON-
mittee was in possession Of any infor-
nation which threw any light upon the
cause of the ciden
I regret to say that we have no
information" replied Mr.. Boutelle.
upon which a conclusion coul4 be
based. My own impression. which
may not be of value, is that it was an
accidental occurrence"
We are anxious to do a little good in
this world and can think OF no pleas