The herald., 1898-03-22
REIMBURSED FOR PROPERTY
LOSSES
H[IRSOf THE DEAD MEN
ARE GIVEN A SUM EQUAL TO ONE
YEARS PAY
COUSINS ELOQUENT TRIBUTE
Redeems the Debate From a Rather
Sordid Tone, and the Bill Is
Passed Unanimously
associated Press Special Wire

i Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. March 21.-The hous.
today unanimously pasesd the bill for the
relief Of the survivors and victims of the
Maine disaster. The bill reimburses the
survivors, officers and men, for the losses
they sustained to an amount not to exceed
a years pay. and directs the payment OF
a sum equal to years pay to the lega.
heirs of those who perished.
There was quite spirited debate over
an amendment, suggested by Mr.. Cannon,
to give the survivors each a years pay
out of hand, instead of attempting to re-
imburse them for actual loses. Some old
alleged scandals in connection with the re-
endorsement of the survivors of the Sa-
moan disaster were raked up, but the de
bate in the end was saved from rather
sordid tone by beautiful tribute paid to
the gallant dead by Mr.. Cousins of Iowa
in a short but eloquent speech.
Immediately after the reading of the Jour-
nal the speaker recognized Mr.. Boutelle
(Rep.) of Maine, chairman of the commit
tee on naval affairs, who called up the
bill for the relief of the survivors and vic
tins Of the Maine disaster.
Mr.. Boutelle said that the purpose and
provisiins of the bill were well under
stood, and SO far as he was concerned he
thought debate unnecessary. Still he was
ready to yield to the desire Of the house
Mr.. Bailey said there was no disposition
on his side of the house to debate the bill.
Such matters as members on his side de-
sired to speak about in connection with the
disaster they would reserve for the nava.
rtot Ia of M,
amendment he would offer.
Without debate, therefore, the bill was
read by sections for amendment.
Several minor committee amendments
were agreed upon.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman Of the committee
on appropriations, offered an amendment
10 allow the surviving officers and men
twelve months pay without rations In
full compensation for losses sustained by
them. This provision he thought prefer
able to one indemnifying the loss sustained,
limited in amount to twelve month"; sea
pay. He called attention to the fact that
In the case of the Samoan disaster the
compensation in each case was about the
maximum. Hs thought provision for
compensation for actual losses might lead
some of the survivors into the temptation
of magnifying their claims. There would
also be this advantage in voting directly, a
years sea pay: 1t would obviate delay and
mediation Of claims attorneys. While CON-
gress was doing this act of justice, he said,
it should do the generous thing.
Mr.. Boutelle at this point concluded, as
debate was to be indulged in, that it would
bo well for him to make general state
ment. He then explained briefly that It
was the idea of the committee that con-
gress should be as liberal toward the VIC
tins Of the Maine disaster as 1t had been
toward those who suffered in the Samoan
disaster, and the bill had been drawn along
the lines Of the bill passed for the relief
of the Samoan victims. The committee
did not believe the survivors should be re-
imbursed beyond the actual losses incurred
The provision relating to the filing of the
schedule of losses, made and sworn to,
had been carefully hedged about. and could
not be criticised successfully.
Mr.. Bailey asked what the sea pay of
the highest officer of the unfortunate ves-
sci was
capt sigsbee's pay is about s45oo." an
swered Mr.. Boutelle.
"Then. under the proposed amendment,
he would receive that amount, no matter
what losses he had sustained"
Exactly
what was the largest amount paid
under the bill for the relief of the Samoan
victims?"
"About s2ooo."
Mr. Boutelle said he did not imagi that
Capt. Sigsbee or any of the gallant off,
GERS of the Maine would dream Of being
reimbursed beyond the actual amount of
the losses they had sustained.
Boutelle and Cannon had rather spirit
ed exchange of personalities. The former
criticised the latter's attitude toward the
bill and the latter said he was responsible
to his constituents and the general public
sentiment of the country, not to the gen
tleman from Maine for his position.
1.-THE gentleman does not live on Gods
footstool." said he. "who possesses the
ability to merit the appreciation Of the
ter.
Proceeding. Cannon again advocated his
amendment, pointing out that the avera ge
value OF the regular equipment Of a ships
crew was $50, yet in almost every instance
the members Of the crews Of the ships went
down at Samoa obtained practically q
years sea pay. AS practical legislator
he thought his amendment Was wise and
should be adopted.
Bailey said at first he had been disposed
to favor the Cannon amendment. He had
heard something Of the scandal in con-
nection with the Samoan act and did not
desire repetition of that disgracesul epi-
sode. But upon closer examination he
thought the provision in the bill preferable.
He had long been Of the opinion that the
best part Of the Lords prayer was con-
tained in the words Lead US not into
temptation" but the amendment would
make It more profitable not to fall than
to fall. It would give to the honest man
more than the dishonest man could claim.
Hilborn, Republican, Of California, de-
MED emphatically that there had been any
atmosphere Of fraud In connection with the