The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-17
CONGRESS STIRRED UP.

decieiOn.'
CONGRESS STIRRED UP.
nat No Expression OF Fecliar Made in Open
seusion-Opipions or Senators.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 10. - Self.repression was
tho dominant characteristic of members of Con-
gress to-day, and tho persistency with which
even the ~so-called limoges of all parties in
both houses RETAINED from saying anything
that would add to the excitement caused by the
news Of the destruction Of the battleship Maine
was at once remarkable and praiseworthy. In
tho open session of the Senate no reference
whatever was made to the event, although 1t
was uppcrmost In tho minds of every member of
the body. Tho disaster and its mysterious
features formed the solo topic of conversation
In the cloakrooms. on the floor, and in the COM
mittee rooms, but not ono word of the surprise.
indignation. and bitterness in the hearts of all
was reported in the official proceedings. eithor
when the doors were open or during tho brief
executive session. For some unexplained rea-
son the blind chaplain even. always ready to
refer to important events Of the moment, did
not refer to the great catastrophe in his invoca-
tion that followed the rapping of Vice-President
Hobart's gavel.
At the House end of the Capitol the other
blind chaplain was more In touch with the news
of the day, and whom Speaker Reed called the
I1Oub0 lukOthcE hO koibbu hiS ikhtlC CyC0 W
heaven and offered up the following prayer:
30 Thou who hast shaped and guided the
destiny of our nation through all the vicissitudes
of the past and made 1t great. help US to emulate
all that was truly noble and patriotic in our
forefathers. concentrating that Righteousness
exalteth a nation. while sin is a reproach to any
people. That we may maintain tho dignity of our
past, make US Jealous in every good work and
watchful, knowing that vigilance is the price OF
1tIa,,. rnn,f,r pua nav Th,n T., Th,na o,.n
way. the relatives and friends of these who were
killed and wounded in that terrible disaster to
the warship Maine
Before tho hour of meeting the Representa-
tives gathered in groups in the various rooms
and corridors and in the area before the Speak
er's desk and eagerly discussed tho startling
dispatches from Havana, Just as the Senators
did at tho other end of the great building. Nine
of every ten members present in tho House to-
day felt that there was grave cause for suspicion
in the manner In which the proud battleship
went Town to her destruction. and many
of them did not hesitate to say SO publicly and
enlphatically. The cause of the accident was
the puint of discussion in the House. just as it
was in all portions of the Capitol building. in tho
executive departments. in the hotels and on the
streets. In private houses, and in every hole and
corner Of the capitol city. Everybody was pro-
life of theories. ana they will increase rather
luhH uliLll uhtil INC IepOIt VI tuc bOuFu up
pointed to officially investigate the disaster
shall lift the veil of mystery and reveal the true
cause of 1t all.
The House on Naval Affairs was
in session during tho day preparing the regular
Naval Appropriation bill. Its members we-e in
constant communication with the Navy Depart.
mcnt, and received official as fast
as it came. Just before the House adjourned.
Chairman Boutellc. at the direction of the COM
m A.. H. - q a.
House, and 1t was unanimously adopted:
That the House OF Representatives had learned
with profound sorrow of the igreat calamity which
has caused the destruction of the United States bat.
tleship Maine. the appalling loss OF more than $50
lives and the wounding OF many others OF the gallant
defenders Of our flag. and that the House expresses
its sympathy for the injured and its sincere condo
lence with the families Of those who have lost their
lives in the service OF the nation.
Before the resolution was put to n vote Mr..
Bailey of Texas inquired IL the on
Naval Affairs was in possession OF any informa-
ton as to the cause OF the disaster. In reply,
Chairman Boutelle said:
Unfortunately nothing as yet has been
learned upon which a conclusion could justly be
based. My personal opinion would not be of
value. but l will say that from all that has come
to my knowledge regarding the sad affair l am
inclined 10 believe that 1t was OF accidental
origin"
Mr.. Boutelle's opinion is evidently not shared
by a majority OF Congressman. although they
are controlled more by their feelings than by
any direct information in their possession as
to the real cause of the explosion. But what
ever the Congressman may think as TO how tho
disaster occurred, 1t was evident during the
day that they refroined from taking action OF
some sort on the Cuban question only by the
conviction that the public good would best be
subserved by remaining silent until the Admin
~istration could learn.all the facts. The friends
OF Cuba in both houses were like hounds in
leash, and all felt that, whether the Maine met
her fate as the result OF accident or design. the
time is imminent when the United States Gov
ernment must intervene in behalf Of Cuba
Libre,
In the face of the new calamity Congress en-
tirely lost sight Of the controversy over the
dismissal of the Spanish Minister, Dupuy dc
LONE, and seemed TO lose all interest in the
further fact that the Secretary OF State was
hourly expecting the formal disayowal by the
Spanish Government OF De Lone's slur on Pres
dent Mckinley. The further fact was appar-
entity forgotten that both houses OF Con-
Rress on Monday last passed resolu.
tons calling for the Cuban correspon-
dence on nle in the State Department, and
that the documents are now being prepared
with a view to sending all or a portion OF them
to the Senate and House. The importance of
the publication of this correspondence, which
will undoubtedly startle tho country with It's
revelations OF the situation of the starving re-
concentrates aud the testimony OF ConsulS
- H. - 6A.Ltsk Nan