The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-14

! Berry made tho first allusion on the floor
OF the house TO the mootcd question as to
who was responsible for the victory over
Cervera's fleet at Santiago
/ Il believe the bill Will remove conflict,
he said, land II there is any country wher,
/ there is a necessity for the removal Of con,
flct In the army or navy, II is the Cnitet
states lLaughter.l | think We had ,
magnificent phase of conflict in the arm.
service In the United States printed IN tn,
papers this morning, and whether II VIII
end In a duel or not J don't know. but Il
shows there is n very considerable amount
OF friction In the army of the unitet
States. There was some conflict thci
among, the officers In the navy In the
greatest battle of the war. the greatest
battle of modern times. because it demon
strated the character of the men and the
vessels that were engaged In 1t and there
is no doubt In the minds OF the American
people who is entitled to the credit of that
victory. But there are people who are try
ing to steal away from Schley the credit
Of the glorious triumph he won on the Sd
day of July, 1898
In this connection Mr.. Berry read the
following poem amid n whirlwind of laugh
ter and applause;
When the Spanish fleet, with full Roadway,
Dashed out OF Santiago bay,
Who stood on a Yankee quarterback
And marked the game with eagle eye?
Say, was 1t Sampson, or was II Schley?
Who was II. with shot and screaming shell
Turned Sabbath calm into echoing hell?
Steamed into the thickest OF the fray,
His good ship leading all the way,
While the roar Of his guns shook earth and
sky?
Say, was IL Sampson, or was 1t Schley?
In American hearts who holds Hrst place,
or those who claim part in that glorious
chase?
Whose uamo stood ont on that proud day
As the hero of Santiago bay.
In letters of gold, write that name on high,
Shall we write It Sampson or write 1t
schley?
daughter and applause
- say 1t should be written Schley." con-
tinued Mr. Berry. and then say there
should be provision of law that whether
1t goes to Schley or Sampson no prize
money should be paid TO the men who
have won that glorious achievement, but
that the provision for prize money ought
to he wiped of the statute books. ] say
that the men who made that magnificent
charge at San Juan hill, in all aspects OF
tho case are as much entitled to take San
'i"Go IcWdTu LOT their services as the
men who sank Cervera's ships. . (Renewed
applause
In response 10 q direct question Mr..
Meyer (Dem. La said that the commit
zee would offer an amendment to repeal
he law giving prize money to the navy.
This statement was generally appiauded.
Later MI Berry alluded to the situation
n the Philippines He Mad not decided
ne said. how he would stand on the prop,-
iition to annex those islands, but he
wanted II distinctly understood that the
backing Aguinnldo was supposed 10 be
'eceiving from Germany would have NJ
weight In Affecting his opinion.
We have yet 10 whip Germany as we
Id SPAIN said he, amid great applause, T.
After some further remarks by Mr..
)insmore CDem., Ark.) IN favor OF the
ill, the general debate closed and the bill
yas read for amendment under the five
minute rule.
Mr.. Fcss offered the following amend
ncnt to the section giving staff officers
positive rank. and II was adopted without
ivision.
But officers whose rank Is so dehned
hall not be entitled, In virtue OF the /
ank, to command In the line or In other
taft corps. Neither shall this act be con-
trued as changing the titles OF officers In
he staff corps OF the navy"
Mr.. Bailey dem. Texas) objected to
he abolition Of the rank OF commodore.
,nr greatest sea captains he said, had |
eld that rank In the hour OF their VIC
Dries. Perry. Jones, l'arragut, Schey
nd Dewey. American traditions chung
bout the title Of commodore and he wss
ploEed to its abolition To meet the social
Of foreign powers and foreign
ourts. II may be only a sentiment but
e preferred an American sentiment TO
he etiquette OF a foreign court. Cap
lause).
Mr.. Dayton explained that the title OF
commodore was unknown abroad and that
N state occasions they did not know
here to place a commodore.
They may not know where to place an |
american commodore at a dance" inter-
osed Mr.. Bailey, "but they know where
. place him in the battle" (Applausc).
Without completing the consideration OF /
he bill the committee rose aud tho |
ouse adjourned,