Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-01
FOR THE MAINE MEN
Bronze Memorial Tablet to Be Erected
in the Capitol.
SENATOR PERKINS ELOQUENT TRIBUTE
Dead Were Defenders of the Ma
tionaI Honor.
LOUD BILL IN THE HOUSE

Shortly after the Senate convened today
Mr.. Perkins (Cal) of the committee on ma
va affairs presented favorable report
upon Mr.. Bacon's resolution providing for
the erection in statuary hall of the Capitol
o. bronze memorial tablet commemora-
tive of the officers and sailors who lost
their lives in the Maine disaster in Havana
harbor.
Senator Perkins' Tribute.
In the course of his report upon the res
olGtion Mr.. Perkins said: 1T is fitting at
all times for nation to recognize the hero
ism of those who have yielded up their
lives in its service. In this respect no ma
tioh is more generous than ours. 1t has
Stood, and still stands, ready to show its
appreciation Of bravery ard devotion to
duty. 1t cares for its helpless veterans
who battled on land and sea; it strives to
mitigate the hardships imposed on those
who were grieyously wounded while fight
ing for the flag, and as far as possible it
seeks to aid the widows and orphans Of
our dead soldiers and Sailors But it is not
in battle alone that heroic qualities are
shown; neither is it only in time of war
Death may come in the performance of
duty while peaca reigns, as we'll as while
the conflict RACES. But whether in war or
in peace, the soldier and the sailor stand
ever ready TO give their lives in the per-
formance Of duty, and when they so die
they die like heroes and deserve well of
their country.
Every man who stood beneath the flag
of the battle ship Maine had, by his very
presence on its decks, signifia I'd his viii
liz sness to die for the defense of the ma
tlon and the maintenance of the national
hCnor. He was ever ready to go whare
duty called, whether TO brave tempestuous
seas or to return shot for shot with his
cCuntry's enemies. When death came in
the awful shape ii took in the harbor of
Havana, the dead are no less heroes than
II they had fallen before hostile guns. The
a hfrn 4 ,1,s..
al were cast. If it were ever fitting TO
recognize the devotion to the country of
brave men, 1t is now fitting to erect a tab
let in memory of those who lost their
lives In the destruction of thu Maine.
Ever the Pride of the Nation.
The sailors of the navy have ever been
the pride of the nation, their heroism has
been recognized throughout the world and
their deeds have brought forth praises
from all chivalrous peoples. What the
sailors of the old and glorious fleets of the
United States have baen, that are the sail
ors of the new navy of our country. The
great disaster at Havana has shown that
there exists the indomitable courage which
heretofore has made our fleets victorious,
and which is assurance that victory viii
still fellow flag upon the seas The
first heroes OF Irr new navy should be
given that recognition by this government
winch a generous paople is only toe anx-
lous snail be given. owing 10 the position
of the United States, the defense of its
honor against foreign attack must always
mainly fall to the of our navy AS
our fleets are strong and men ara
brave, so shall we compel and maintain
that respect among the nations which is
as necessary to national prosperity as the
respect of his f-ll0w is to the prosperity of
the individual.
ut was the realization of this fact which
led the English people to erect in St Paurs
a bronze tablet to the nj a
sailors who, in 11S2. at Spithead, lost their
lives in the capsizing of the. Royal George
The dead were the defenders of the ma
uonal honor, ready at all times to die for
their country and did die with their ship
So 1t was in the more awful circumstances
attending the destruction of our own battle
ship in Havana harbor. England has al
ways safely relied on the strong ana loyal
hearts of its sailors. So has our country
always relied on the strength, loyalty and
devotion of our own sailors, and it's reliance
mas always been and always will be justi
ned. 1t is, therefore, fitting that recogni-
ton should be given to men possessing
those great qualities which make a navy a
nations bulwark, and your committee rec
ommends that the resolution be adopted"
Mr.. Morrill, (Vt.) suggested that Statuary
han was scarcely proper place to erect
the tablet, and Mr. Hoar (Niass) thought
some other place for it might better be
designated
The resolution was so amended as to pro-
vide for the erection of the tablet at some
suitable place in the Capitol. As amended
the resolution was adopted.
The Bankruptcy Bill.
Mr.. Hoar then renewed his motion of yes
terday that the Senate disagree to the
House amendments to the bankruptcy bill,
and that a committee Of conference be ap-
pointed.
Mr.. Stewart CNev.) said he was opposed
to an involuntary bankruptcy bill at such
a time as this. and he wished before the
measure was sent to conference, to present
some information upon the subject that
would be valuable to the conferees The
House bill assumes, Mr. Stewart began,
that any man who cannot pay his debts is
a criminal.
ut is the most atrocious bill that could be
framed in the present condition of the
country
Mr.. Hoar said he thought the Senate con-
ferees might be trusted properly to repre-
sent the Senate on this bill. and he appealed
to Mr.. Stewart to permit the measure 20 go
to conference without further debate
mo appeal to me need be made in behalf
OF this diabolfcal bill,'' exclaimed Mr. Stew
art Il propose to discuss this matter fully
In order that not only the conferees, but
the country, may know what this bill
means"