Evening star., 1898-06-29
NeWcomb, Hodgsdon and Hobson Hon
ored by the Senate.
MERRIMAC'S MEN EULOGIZED
Purchase of Land Surrounding
Pearl Harbor.
NICARAGUA SHIP CANAL

of the President the Senate at the begin
ming of its session today took action in
recognition of the distinguished services
rendered recently by officers and men of
the navy and revenue cutter service
Mr.. Frye CMe) reported from the COM
mittee On commerce a joint resolution
recognizing the gallantry of Frank H. New
comb, commanding the revenue cutter Hud-
son, and of his officers and men; also retir-
ing Capt. Daniel B. Hodgsdon of the rev.
enue cutter service for efficient and merit
orlous services in command of the cutter
Hugh McCulloch at Manila. The resolu-
/ tich extends the thanks of Congress to
Lieut.. Newcomb for his heroic gallantry in
the action at Cardenas, when he and mis-
crew rescued the Winslow and such of her
crew as lad not been disabled OF killed and
provides for suitable medal of gold for
Newcomb, silver medals for his officers and
bronze medals for the members CT his crew
1t also places Capt. Hodgsdon of the Nc
Suioeh on permanent waiting orders at
full duty pay.
The resolution was adopted without de-
bate.
Mr.. Hale (Me.) of the naval committee
then reported favorably a resolution ten
derlng the thanks of Congress to Naval
Constructor Hobson, who with his crew of
seven men, sunk the collier Merlin ac
across the entrance to the harbor of Santi-
ago oe cuba and providing for the trans
fer OF Mr.. Hobson from the construction
| corps OF the navy to the line The resoI,1-
ton was also adopted
After the resolution had been adopted
Mr. Hoar, addressing himself to the action
just taken by the Senate, said: "AIl we do
ana all we have done for Naval Construct
or Hobson, in recognition of his distin-
gulshed bravery, is to extend to lin by
name the thanks of Congress. But in this
case. where a deed of special heroism was
performed, 1t seems to me that we ought
10 recognize the men who volunteered tn
accompany him on his perilous undertak-
Ing: All were undergoing the same risk
and the names Of the entire seven ought to
be mentioned in the resolution 1 would be
glad to see this chamber filed with such
heroes as those men are"
Mr.. Hoar said that such recognition nv
Congress was one of the greatest marks of
honor tfat could be conferred upon any
man or men.
Five hundred years hence the descend
anus OF these men would know and would
be proud to tell of the remarkable feat
they had performed. He hoped, therefore.
that MT Hale would consent to have the
resolution reconsidered and the names of
all of the heroes of the Merrimac inserted
in the resolution.
Mr. Perkins (Cal) said that he had in
mihd the same suggestion, and had OBJ
tanned from the Navy Department an ac-
curate list OF the names of the Merrimac
volunteers
Mr. Hale said the President always
|
gested the form of the resolution in his
message to Congress. but he was certain
that the suggested amendment would meet
ms approval DE therefore moved the re-
consideration of the resolution that the
names OF the crew might be incorpora ted
Mi. SeweH IN. j. delivered a eulogy Of
.he american soldiers and sailors He de-
ciared they were all heroes. No deed Of
DARING could be suggested that would NOT
command instantly the services of scores
OF volunteers. Heretofore it had been the
custom OF Congress to grant the special
faVor OF thanks only to men who wore
shoulder straps, but he thought at this
time, Wnen our army was lying before the
fortiflcations of Santiago, it would be well
| 10 recognize the private soldier and the
common sailor, who by their gallanrry
turned the tide of battles and made COM
missioned officers great
MI Nelson (Minn.) hoped that the names
OF the men who accompanied Lieut. Hob
son In his perilous undertaking would be
incorporated in the resolution Not to
recognize thus their gallantry was, to his
mnd, hostile TO the spirit of American in
sttutions 40
Mr.. Perkins said that naming the men
speslfically in the resolutions would be the
country could well afford to establish He
areW a VIVID word picture of the deed per-
formed by the Merrimac's gallant crew.
,I,1 Inc resolutlon was SO amended as to in
ciude the names of the crew who accom-
panied Lieut. Hobson, and adopted
Sonslderatlon of the general deficiency
bill was then resumed.
Mr.. Hale, In charge of the bill, offered
numerous amendments, most of them sdd-
ing small sums for various purposes
among theSe was provision increasing
.ne saiaries or the second and third assist
ant secretaries Of state to s., 500 each
For Land About Penrl Harbor.
The following amendment suggested bv
Mr. Hale gave rise to considerable debate:
For purchase by condemnation, or 9TH
| erWlSe. of not leSS
at not exceeding $50 per acre, in Pearl Har
DOR Hawaiian Islands. for a coaling and
repair station, $4,000, and for dredging the
par In said harbor, to secure a channel of
not less 3 than thirty feet in depth, slO5, 900
Mr.. Spooner suggested that the amend
ment was loosely drawn. He contended
| mat the Hawaiian Islands had not vet he
come part Of the United States, and that
| the land could not under existing circum
stances be condemned. On his suspestion
| the amendment was changed as TO ;naks
the condemnation conditional upon lis be-
ing practicable.
| Mr.. Pettigrew stated that oil tba 1,-a
| around the haroor was owned by private
parties, and that desirable for purchase bv
an Eng!is nman named Campbau, sn anti
annexationist. This man had told him tha.
he would not part with ms properly for
less than $15 per acre; hence it would he
necessary to condemn in order to secure ii
at less price. He also said Mr. Campbell
L
the entrance to the harbor. In this connec-
uon MI. Pettigrew found opportunity to
caI attention to the superior advantage of
the harbor in the Island Of Kiska. II" he
! sald, the government is going to make an
appropriation for the Improvement of a
| harbor IN the Pacific. why not improve one
m IN our own territory. and which is loo
| miles nearer the Asiatic coast? The promo
siuon simply exhibits more of this Internal
nonsense about harbors which comma nd
| fight" ~
The discussion then took the form of a
consideration Of the title of the United
| states to Pearl Harbor. in which Messrs.
| Hale, Spooner. Allen. Teller, Lindsay and
others participated. Mr.. Allen contended
| that the titls was a mere easement ter
minating with the reciprocity treaty.
Messrs. Hale and Spooner contended that it
was an absolute grant, but Mr.. Hale ad-
mitted that 1t was practically vaIueless
without the power to make improvements
and securs adjoining land
MI Spooner said the United States might
as Well have grant to harbor in the
clouds as to have 9this harbor with a pri-
vate individual controlling the harbor.
The amendment was agreed to.
u