Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-14
55th CONGRESS.
The House Considers the
Naval Personnel Bill.
Laughter and Applause for Berry's
Sampson and SchIey Poetry.
Senator McLauria Takes Strong Stand Against
Policy Of Expansion.

much less opposition than was antici-
pated and the indications are that il
will have a large majority when it is
placed upon ITS passage, tomorrow
The last vistage of opposition to the
measure from the line officers of the
navy was removed. today, when an
amendment was adopted designed to
prahibit staff officers upon whom the
bill confers positive rank from exercis-
ing command except in their own
corps. The committee also asserted
it's purpose to offer an amendment, to-
morrow, to repeal the law giving prize
money to the navy and this announce
ment met with warm approval.
The speeches on the bill, today. We're
filled with glowing illusions to the glo-
ries CT our naval victories in the late
war and Mr.. Berry of KY. created a
great deal of enthusiasm by his eulogy
of Schley as the hero of Santiago. The
bill was supported by Messrs, Foss
Rep, ILL.,, Dayton, Rep, w. Va; Berry
Dem. Ky: briggs, DEM, N. y: and
Dinsmore. DEM, Ark. and opposed by
Messrs. Lowe. Rep, N. Y; and Simp-
son. Pop, Kan.
The Senate personnel bill was taker
up and Lowe, Rep, N. Y, opposed
the alnalgamation of the bill. Day
ton. Rep, w. Va, supported the bill.
Berry, Dem. KY, warmly supported
the bill. In the course of his remarks
Berry made the first allusion ON the
floor of the House to the mooted ques-
ton as to who was responsible for the
tiago.
Berry said: Il believe the bill Will
remove conflict and if there is any
country where there is "a necessity TO,
the removal Of conflict in the army OF
the navy, it is the United States
Gaughter). l think We have a mag
nificent phase of conflict in the army
service of the United States printed
in the papers. this morning, and
whether it will END in q duel or no.
l do not know. but it shows there 6
a very considerable amount of frictio.
in the army. There was some con-
f'ict then among the officers in IN,
navy in the greatest battle of the war
the greatest battle of modern time.
and there is no doubt in the mind OF
to the credit of that victory. Pu,
there are the people who are trying te
steal away from Schley the glory fol
the glorious triumph ne won on the
3rd of July, 1885,
In this connection Berry read the
following poem amid a whirlwind OF
laughter and applause:
TIL. AN, c,,lI Il
way.
Dashed out of Santiago bay.
Taking the chances of death and wreck
Who stood on Yankee guarterdeck
And marked the game with eagle eye
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.
His good ship leading all the way.
While the roar of his guns shook earth
and sky
Say. was it Sampson Or was it Schley?
daughter and applause).
In American hearts who holds first place
OF those who claim part in that glorious
Whose name stood out on that proud
day.
As the hero of Santiago Bay?
In letters of gold write that name on
Shall We write it Sampson or write it
Schley?
daughter and appiause).
II say it should be written Schley.''
continued Berry. land then ] say that
there should be provision of law that
whether it goes to Schley or Sampson.
men who won that glorious achievement
but that the provision for prize money
ought to be wiped off the statute books.
| say that the men who made that mag
niicent charge at San Juan Hill. in all
aspects of this cause. are as much en-
titled to take Santiago as reward for
their services as the men who sank Ger
vera S ships. (Renewed applauSel.
In response to d direct question, Meyer,
Dem. La. said that the committee would
offer an amendment to repeal the law
giving prize money TO The e. navy This rhi,
Later Berry alluded to the situation in
the Philippines. He had not decided, he
said. how he would stand on the. propo-
wanted it distinctly understood that the
backing Aguinaldo was supposed to be
receiving from Germany would have no
weight in affecting his opinion. Eve may
have to whip Germany as we did Spain,
said he, amid whirlwind of applause.
After some further remarks by briggs,
Dem, N. Y. and Dinsmore. Dem. Ark,
in favor of the bill. the general debate
ment under the 5-minute rule.
Foss offered the following amendment
to the section giving staff officers positive
rank and it was adopted without divi-
sion: But officers whose rank is so de-
fined shall not be entitled in virtue of the
rank to command in the line or in other
staff corps Neither shall this act be
construed as changing the title of officers
of the staff corps of the navy
Bailey. Dem, Texas, objected to the
abolition of the rank of commodore. Our
greatest sea captains had held that rank,
he said. in the hour of their victories
Perry. Jones, Farragut Schley and
Dewey. American traditions chung about
the title of commodore. and he was OPP
posed to its abolition to meet the social
distinctions of foreign powers and for
eign courts. 1t might be only a senti-
ment, but he preferred an American SEN
timent to the etiquette of foreign
court. (Applause).
Dayton explained that the title of COM
modore was unknown abroad and that on
state occasions they did not know where
to place Il commodore.
'"They may not know where to place
an American commodore at the dance
interposed Bailey. ''but they know where
to place him in the BATTLE (ADplause).
Without completing the consideration
of the bill the committee rose and at !.
o'clock, the House adjourned.