The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-30
SENATE THANKS THE SEAMEN.
MERRIMAC RESOLUTION GOES
THROUGH AMID ENTHUSIASM.

THROUGH AMID ENTHt SIASM.
Private soldiers and Common Sail
Ors EuIogized in Speeches-An I'm
pOrtant Amendment Added 10 the
General Deficiency Bill Providing
for Settlement of the Govern
ment Claims Against the Pacific
MISUNDERSTANDING Made for the
Purchase of Coating Station in
the Hawaiian Islands.
Washington, June pa precedent that
will be historic was established by the
Senate at its session to-day. For probably
the first time in the history of the Senate
a resolution was adoupted rendering the
thanks of Congress to common seamen,
specifically naming them in the resolution
The resolution ELECTED several patriotic
speeches, in which the private soldiers of
the army and the common sailors of the
navy were glowingly euiosized. The reso-
lutions recommended by the President
We're adopted, tehdering the thanks Of
Congress to Naval Constructor Hobson
and the other heroes of the Merrimac, and
TO Lieut.. Frank II. Newcomb, commander
of the revenue cutter Hudson. for his gal
liant resuce of the winslow and her crew
off Cardenas; the retiring on fun pay OF
Capt. Hodgdson of the Mccullough for
distinguished services al Manila The
transfer of Mr.. Hobson from the construc-
ton corps of the navy to the line was also
provided for.
Consideration of the Sc neral deficiency
bill was concluded and the measure was
passed. An amendment of great impor-
lance was attached TO the bill, practically
by general consent II relates to the SET
Element of the claims of the. government
against the Pacific railroads. 1t was Of
fered by Mr.. Morgan of Alabama, who
made strong appeal TO the Senate for its
adoption
Before it was agreed to Mr.. White Of
California proposed some amendments to
it making it even more binding upon the
roads than 1t was in its original form.
The amendment in full follows:
THAT the Secretary of the Treasury,
the Secretary of the Interior. and the At
torney General and their successors in
office be, and they are hereby, appointed a
commission, with fun power to settle the
indebtedness to the government growing
out of the issue of bonds i'm aid of the
construction of the Central Pacific and
Western Pacific bond aided railroads upon
such terms and in such manner as may
be agreed upon by them, or by majority
of them and the officers of said railroads;
provided that any and all settlements thus
made shall be submitted in writing to the
President for his approval or disapproval,
and unless approved by him shall not be
binding.
THAT said commission shall not agree
to accept less sum il settlement of the
NV a.. -
full amount of the principal and all
amounts necessary to reimburse the Uni
ted States for moneys paid for interest
or otherwise. And also provided that
said commission are hereby empowered
to grant such time or times of payment
by installment, and at such rates of in
terest, to be not less than per centrum
per annum, payable semi-annually, and
with such security as 10 said commission
may seem eXpedient, provided however,
that in any settlement that may be made
the final payment and full discharge of
said indebtness shall not be postponed to
exceed ten years and the whole amount,
principal and interest, shall be paid In
equal semi-annual installments within
the period so limitedi and in amy settle
ment made il shall be provided that if de-
fault shall be made in any payment Of
either principal or interest or
part thereof then the whole sum and all
installments, principal and interest. shall
Immediately become due and payable,
Notwithstanding other stipulation of said
settlement.
THAT there is hereby appropriated the
sum of $4,000 to defray the expenses OF
said commission in making the said settle
ment."
An amendment offered by Mr.. Butler OF
North Carolina providing for a fish cul-
tural station in North Carolina, and ap-
propriating $4,000 for the purpose, was
agreed to.
Also an amendment offered by Mr.. Hale
of Maine for purchase by condemnation
or otherwise, of not less than SEQ acres OF
land a NOT exceeding $50 per acre IN Pear
Harbor, Hawaiian Islands. for a coaline
and repair station, SiG00D, and for dredging
the bar in said harbor 10 secure a channel
of not less than 80 feet in Depth $105, 900, In
all $4,000.
The BILL as passed, carries about S227,-
000,0OG the largest sum carried by any APP
preparation measure since the civil war
After the passage Of The deficiency bill
considerat ton Of the Hawaiian annexation
resolution was resumed Mr.. Caffery OIL
Louisiana concluded his speech in opposi-
ton to annexation.
Al sos. the Senate went into executive
session, and at o'clock, adjourned.