The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-19
Receives a Severe Scoring From
Senator Mason.
is TIRED OF WAITING.
Wants Some Action Regarding
the Maine
Taken Now 'EThe Eternal and
Everlasting NOw.''

fairs to make an investigation OF the
disaster to the Maine, was laid before
the senate yesterday it precipitated the
most furious debate.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire
thought that if the word Immediate" be
stricken out and the matter be left
within the discretion of the committee
there would be no objection to the reso-
luton.
Mr.. Mason of Illinois proposed an
amendment striking out all after the
word resolved and inserting the fol-
lowing:
BY the senate and house of repre-
sentatives concurring, That a joint COM
mittee Of five, consisting of three mem
bers of the house of representatives and
two members of the senate, be appoint
ed to investigate the disaster to the
battleship Maine.
Mr.. Hale urged Mr.. Mason to with
draw his substitute, as it would tend
only to embarrass the executive de-
partment.
4 had hoped" said Mr. Hale, that
this entire matter might be disposed of
today without debate. It seems to me
that in the circumstances and in the
light of the utmost facilities, it is idle
to indulge in debate
Mr.. Hale said he was willing to with
draw his objection to the resolution of
Mr.. Allen, but the substitute suggested
by Mr.. Mason was even more objection
Mr.. Mason followed Mr.. Hale in a
speech replete with sensational utter
ances. He said in beginning that he
had no disposition to inf1ame a Situa-
ton already so exciting, but he felt that
his substitute was fully justified by the
feelings and desires of the people.
I undderstand,'' said he. that the
navy department is making an investi-
cation of the disaster, but I also I'M
derStand that congress has the author
tty to make an investigation. 1t is a
congressional investigation that people
are demanding. They are fast coming
to the conclusion that matters concern
ing this Cuban affair, including the De
LONE letter incident, and the loss of
the Maine, of which they ought to
know, are being concealed from them.
The people want to know the facts,
and they will know them"
Mr.. Mason said he did not desire to
reflect upon the honor or motives of
any body, but he suggested that the Off
Gals of the navy department in making
their investigation would be trying
their own case and would naturally en-
deavOr to cover up any blame that
might attach to them.
The trouble with u.s." declare Mr..
Mason, with great vehemence, lis that
we have adopted the Spanish policy of
putting everything off until tomorrow
Let the investigation of this disaster to
our navy and to our country be thor
oughly investigated by congress and
then we shall know that it shall be done
right"
Let the people, said Mr. Mason.
have the facts. They want nothing
less than investigation in their interest
by the senate and the house. Only in
TINS way can the facts which are locked
The country is tired of the secret con-
slderations of such questions"
He was not willing to strike out of
his resolution the word Immediate -
Everyone was interested in knowing
who blew up the Maine and all wanted
the information now. Why delay? Whv
adopt the Spanish custom of putting off
until tomorrow what should be done
today? We have already waited too
long. We were told three years ago to
wait We had waited till night fol-
lowed day; winter had followed sum-
mer, and time had gone on while the
terrible cruelty continued. In the mean
time, Spanish diplomats had sat at our
tables and partaken of our hospitality
Whlle we are still waiting, and had con-
tinued to wait until the series of caIarn-
tiles had been crowned by the Maine
catastrophe with its loss of 258 Ameri-
can lives.
In view of these facts he could never
consent to striking out the word i'm
mediate We want an investigation
ne sald, and we want it now, now, the
eternal and everlasting now
Mr. Hale here interrupted Mr.. Mason
10 make a statement. He said that so
far from having any desire for delay he
was anxious to have it go forward from
this very time, as the investigation pro-
posed by the navy department would.
II not 1nterfered with. There was no
proposition to postpone inquiry The
whole subject matter was even now I'M
dergoing investigation and in view of
the prOmptness which had been exercis-
ed there was no reason for iInpugnfne
the motives of the officials of the de-
partment.
This being the true state of affairs.
there was no occasion for a discussion
of incidental matters. The members of
the board selected to investigate the
Maine disaster were not officers of that
ship and the latter had already been
summoned to appear before the investi-
gators. In view of this fact he thought
the senate could reasonably wait a few
days until the results of the investiga-
ton could be given to the public He
hoped the senate would see the proprie-
ty of not making this an occasion for
inf1ammatory speeches and that all
would take the view that in the pres
ence of the great calamity which had
befallen US, a calamity which had ap-
palled the whole world. today was not
the proper time for an appeal to passion
and prejudice.
Replying Mr.. Mason said there was
no calamity so great as a failure on the
part of those in power to appreciate the
real situation when it was so serious as
it now is and no sorrow so profound as
that Over-in Indifference to this situation.
As for himself he had no desire to make
this an occasion for anything; the Occa-
sion was already made What he was
contending for, was that all facts should
be brought to the surface and he could
not see how a congressional investiga-
ton would in any way interfere with
the navy departments inquiry.
The people were tired and sick of Sc
cret Investigations and reports by ciph-
er and of having information suppress
ed and do1ed out to them as some ex-
ecutive officer might think suitable FTe
wanted a congressional investigation,
and wanted it open to the world. An
investigation by congress would only
strengthen the finding of the navy de-
partnent in case the explosion proved