Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-22
MAINE RELIEF BILL.
1T IS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED BY
THE HOUSE.
BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO MAINE DEAD.
IL Is Made by Mr.. Cousins, of Iowa.
Report Against Young fn Case of
Wise Characterization TO Speak
on Cuba.
on Cuba.

WASHINGTON, March 2l.-The House
to-day unanimously passed the bill for
the relief OF the survivors and victims OF
the Maine disaster. The bill remburses
the surviving officers and men for the
losses they sustained, TO an amount not
to exceed a years sea-pay. and directs
the payment Of a sum equal 20 a years
pay to the legal heirs of those who per-
ished. There was quite a spirited debate
over an amendment suggested by Mr.
Cannon TO give the survivors each a
| years pay, out of hand, instead Of at
tempting to reimburse them for their
actual losses, Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Bou-
telle having a pretty warm passage
alarms. Some old alleged scandals I'm
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 a short
but eloquent speech.
Mr.. Cousins said: 1.-THE measure now
proposed Is most appropriate and just,
but hardly is it mentionable in contem-
platon Of the great calamity to which
it appertains. 1t will be merely an in
cidental, legislative foot-note to a page
of history that will be open to the eyes
of the republic and of the world for all
time TO come. No human speech can
add anything to the silent gratitude the |
speechess reverence, already given by a |
great and grateful nation to it's dead |
defenders and to their living kin. No act |
OF Congress, providing for their needs, |
can make a restitution for their sacrifice. |
Human nature does, in human ways, its |
best and still feels deep in debt EXPIRES
siOns Of coincidence have come from
every country and from every cline, and
ever nerve OF steel and of ocean cable
has carried on electric breath the sweet
est, tenderest words If sympathy for
that gallant crew who manned the
Maine"
THE VULTURE AND THE EAGLE.
After paying a high and fiowery tribute
to the men of the Maine, Mr. Cousins
closed with these words: "Hovering
above the dark waters of that mysterious
harbor of Habana, the black winged Yul-
ture watches for the belated dead, while
over it and over all, there is the eagles
piercing eye, sternly aahing for the
truth. Whether the appropriation car
lied by this resolution shall be ultimately
charged TO fate or to some Of the foe,
shall soon appear. Meanwhile, a patient
and patriotic people, enlightened by the
lessons of our history, remembering the
woes of war both TO the vanquished and
% the victorious, are ready for the truth
and for their duty"
There was a tremendous round Of APP
)lause when Mr.. Cousins concluded his
beautiful tribute.
Mr.. Wheeler DemocraO, Of Alabama,
Clowed in a similar strain, concluding
With the declaration that it was Gods
yill that Cuba should be free.
After the passage of the bill Mr.. Me-
lex Republican,. Of Michigan, from
Committee on Elections No. 3. presented
he majority report in the contested cleo
ion case Of Wise VS.. Young. The report
in favor of the contestant. The mi
ority was given ten days in which to file
heir report. s
The remainder of the day was occupied
4 the consideration of the old claim of
ohm Roach. the shp-builder. for 1891, 000
10 action was taken upon the claim.
At o'clock the House took a recess
ntil o'clock, the evening session to be
evoted TO the consideration of private
ensbn bills.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS. ]
No business OF general Importance was
-ansacted by the Senate to-day, and
ute unexpectedly, an adjournment was
lken before o'clock. A batch of bills
'om the general calendar was passed,
It aside from that only routine BUSH 1
ess was accomplished.
Mr.. Bacon, Of Georgia, introduced an r
nendment, which he announced he
ould offer, to the resolution providing
II the annexation of the Hawaiian Is u
rds to the United States. l
The amendment provides that the reso-
ton shall not be effective until the | T
Iestionr of annexation shall have been
bmitted to the qualified electors of p
await and passed upon afiirmatively by
EN-. The amendment is the same which
r. Bacon offered TO the Hawaiian treaty
ID the House bin now pending. II
On behalf of Mr.. Thurston, Mr. Allen
that on Thursday next. on the ~
Inclusion Of the morning business, Mr.. -
lurston would address the Senate upon y,
@ condition of affairs on the Island of III
ba.
IN motion Of Mr.. Hoar. Of Massachu- -,
It's, the Senate. at 1:45 p. NJ, went into ~
ecutive session, and at 1855 p. NJ. adj NJ
lrned.