The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-14
BERRY SPEAKS FOR SCHLEY
QUOTES POETRY IN ADVOCACY OF
THE ADMIRAL'S CLAIM.

Amid Applause and Laughter lie
Gives Him Full Credit for the San
tiagO VictOry-Navy Personnel Bin
Brought Up the Question of Con-
fiicts in the Army aud Navy-May
Yet Have to Whip Germany, He
Said.
Washington, Jan. 13.-The House to-day
entered upon the consideration of the
naval personnel bill II developed much
less opposition than was anticipated, and
the Indications are that it will have a
large majority when it is placed on its
passage tomorrow.
The last veslige of opposition to the
measure from the line officers of the navy
was removed to-day when an amendment
was adopted designed to prohibit staff Of
flcers upon whom the bill confers positive
rank, from exercising command, save in
their own corps.
The committee also asserted their pur-
pose TO offer an amendment tomorrow TO
repeal the law giving prize money to the
navy, and this announcement met with
warm approval. The speeches on the bill
to-day were filled with glowing illusions
10 the glories of our naval victories in the
late war, and Mr.. Berry of Kentucky Gre
ated great deal of enthusiasm by his
eulogy of Schley as the hero of Santiago.
In the course of his remarks, Mr. Berry
made the first allusion on the floor of the
House TO the mooted question as to who
was responsible for the victory over Ger
vera's fleet at Santiago.
Army and Navy Conflicts.
Il believe the bill will remove conflict.
and If there is any country where there
is a necessity for the removal of conflict
in the army or the navy. it is the United
States. Oaughter) 1 think we had a
magnificent phase of a conflict in the
armed service of the United States in
the papers this morning, and whether 1t
viii end in a duel or not do not know;
but it shows there is a very considerable
amount of friction in the army of the
United States
There was some conflict then among
the officers in the navy in the greatest
battle of the war the greatest battle of
modern times because IL demonstrates The
character of the men and the vessels that
were engaged in 1t, and there is no doubt
in the mind of the American people who
is entitled to the credit of the victory BUT
there are people who are trying to steal
away from Schley the credit of the gIori-.
Gus triumph he won on the Sd of July.
$685."
Sampson or Schley.
In this connection Mr.. Berry read the
following poem, amid Whirlwind Of
laughter ana applause" %'tv. ~ -','
when the Spanish feet with fun head
way,
Dashed out of Santiago bay.
Taking the chances of death and wreck.
Who stood on a Yankee quarterback.
And marked the game with eagle eve?
Say. was it Sampson or was it Schley?
daughter and applause.)
who was it, when 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 1t Sampson or was it Schlev?
daughter and applause)
I'm American hearts, who holds first place
OF those who claim part In that glorious
chase,
Whose name stood out on that proud day
AS tne nero OF santiago bay?
In letters of gold write that name ON
high
Shall we write is Sampson or write It
Schley?"
daughter and applause)
Il say 1t should be written Schley." adj
ded Mr.. Berry.
Later Mr.. Berry alluded to the situa-
ton in the Philippines. He had not de-
cided, he said, how he would stand on
the proposition to annex those islands. but
he wanted 1t distinctly understood that
the backing Aguinaldo was supposed to
be receiving from Germany would have
no weight in affecting his opinion.
1--WE may yet have to whip GERMANY
as we did SPAIN" said he, amid a wbirl-
wind of applause.
The bill was supported by Messrs. Foss.
Republican, of Illinois, Dayton, Ohio, Ber-
ry of Kentucky, Dreggs, Democrat. of
New York, and Dinsmore, Democrat, of
Arkansas and opposed by Messrs. Lowe.
Republican. of New York, and Simpson.
Populist, of Kansas. At p. m. the House
adjourned.