The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-02-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.

From our Regular Correspondent
Washington, Feb. q, 1898.
Prudence, patience and patriotism
have characte rized every act of Presi-
dent Mckinley and eyerv member of
the Cabinet since the awful news was
received of the blowing up and sinking
of the battleship Maine. in Havana har-
Dor, and the death of $50 Of its crew.
In the midst of the excitement conse-
quent upon the sensational rumors Of
Spanish treachery, they have not for
minute lost their heads. A Naval
Court of Inquiry was at once appointed
to ascertain whether the loss of the
Maine was caused by accident or by de-
sign, and by the time this is read it will
be at work. Until it succeeds in getting at
the truth, the administration joins with
brave Captain Sigsoee, of the Maine, in
asking for a suspension OF public Juds-
ment. Not a scrap of news concerning
the catastrophe received by the admin
been concealed, and nothing will be
concealed. That the President is fully
alive to our every interest is shown by
his promptly refusing the :equest of
participate in the investigation, and
that he is calmly performing his usual
duties was shown by his departure for
Philadelphia, to deliver an address be-
fore the faculty and students of tue Tn
Iversity of Pennsylvania. on the 22d
inst, in accordance with an engage
ment made months ago. His example
should be followed by good citizens
everywhere.
Senator Wolcott. Of Col, has more
than cnce shown himself to possess the
faculty of calm Judgment IN times of
public excitement, and to be real not
buncomb patriot, but never more
strikingly than in the short speech he
made against the misguided attempt to
publish to the world distrust of our
Navy Department, by providing for
Congressional investigation ofthe wreck
of the Maine. Mr.. Wolcott said: Il
desire 10 resent as utterly unfoundcd
the suggestion that there is patriotic
citizen in the broad confines of this
land who has not the fullest and most
splendid and glorious confidence i'll
every department of this government,
and in the department of the navy in
particular, and it has been true in every
L., 81, . l,n% !,
ington. The people of the L. S. have
never vet been called upon to distrust
one of the coordinate branches of this
government, and they never will while
the flag floats. The officers appointed
to investigate the tragic disaster will do
their duty. | do not underrate the i'm
portance of the legislative branch of
the government; | believe in its dignity
and in its wisdom and in the openness
of its discussion of public questions; but
what we need now, in my opinion, is
decent and dignifed silence in the face
of the appalling calamity which has fall
len upon our people. There are times
tor speaking and there are times for sill
ence. and at this time, when we face
the awful event that has oyertaken us,
we should restrain any expression Of
opinion or expression OF our belief as
to the causes of this terrible disaster
until i'll i proper, regular, and formal
way. an investigation NAV be had by
the Navy department, which we know
will be conducted with the utmost up
rlghtness and the utmost integrity
Senator Lodge of Mass, said on the
same subject: docs any one suppose
that the captain of that ship, who,
wounded and stunned by the explosion
remained the last upon the sinking YES
sci, and who, in the midst Of that awful
excitement. sent a dispatch showing
GOODNESS which Is an honor to the Am
erlcan name, is going to lie about his
ship? The Secretary of the Navy is
man of DISTINGUISHED ability, Of honor
and patriotism. If anyone imagiues
that Secretary Long Will not tell the
truth and insist upon the whole OF it,
! he little knows the character of the
| 1
dore Roosevelt would be slow to be-
lieve he would seek TO conceal the truth
in regard to this disaster. We want to
know the truth. If it was an accident
which destroyed the Name. then let Us
provide, so far as human foresight can
| against a recurrence. Ifit was treach
cry. then the righteous wrath of the
| American people will take a signal VEN
geance for the treachery which sent
that ship TO the bottom. And let no
one think to stay it." Congress showed
its good sense by combining its action on
/ this subject to making an appropriation
as much Of the costly equipments of the
Maine as possible.
/ The House, bv vote of l59 to l24.
/ passed the Bankruptcy Bill which WAS
reported from the committee as sub
/ stitute for the Nelson bill. which was
/ passed by the Senate at the extra SEES
sion.
4 The Southern cotton mil owners
have been protesting against the pro-
/ posed constitutional amendment giving
/ Congress authority 10 regulate the hours
/ OF labor IN all the states. 4 resolution
! providing therefore is now being con-
sidered bv the House Judiciary Com
/ nittee.