The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-14
Great Naval Issue Revived BY Con-
gresham Berry.
THINKS IT WAS SCHLEY
NAVAL PERSONNEL BILL DIS
CUsSED IN THE HOUSE.
Important Measure VIII Be Passed
Without Serious opposition-Bai-
ley Objects to the Abolition OF the
Rank of Conmodore-Need of
More Officers For New Ships.

Washington, Jan. 13.-The house to-
day entered upon the consideration of
| the naval personnel bill 1t developed
much less opposition than was antici-
pated, and the indications are that 1t
viii have a large majority when 1t Is
! placed upon its passage tomorrow. The
| last Vestige of opposition to the meas
IRE from the line officers OF the navy
was removed today When an amend
ment was adopted designed to prohibit
| staff officers, upon whom the bill con-
| fers positive rank, from exercising
command save in their own corps. Ths
committee also asserted their purpose
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 today were filed with glowing
illusions to the glorieS of our naval
victories in the late war, and Mr.. Berry
of Kentucky created a great deal of
enthusiasm by his euloSy of Schley as
the hero of Santiago.
Mr. Foss (Rep., lid, who was in
charge of the bill, took the floor with q
general argument in support of the
measure. Since 1882, he said, we had
devoted ourselves to building a new
navy, but no attention had been paid
to the personnel of the navy. Men We're
as important as ships. The basis of the
present bill was a bill drafted by q
board of naval officers, at the head of
which was the assistant secretary OF
the navy, Theodore Roosevelt, and
composed OF officers of the line and
staff This proposed change in the per-
sonnet Of the navy was revolutionary,
he admitted, but it was necessary to
keep pace with the wonderful evolution
in the construction and nature of our
modern warships. The increase in the
number Of officers provided by the bill
was ninety-nine. We had acquired 1913
additional vessels during the war with
Spain. Besides, fifty-five ships We're
now under construction. These vessels
must be Differed. Mr.. F'oSs gave notice
that he intended at the proper time TO
offer an amendment to abolish prize
money in the navy.
Mr. Berry Dem., Ky.) warmly sup
ported the bill. IN the course of his
remarks, Mr.. Berry made the first allu-
sion on the floor of the house TO the
mooted question as to who was respon-
sible for the victory over Cervera's fleet
at Santiago.
7 believe the bill will remove con-
fiict," he said, and if there is any
country where there is a. necessity for
the removal OF conflict in the army or
navy, it is the United States. Oaugh-
ter)
81 think we have magnificent phase
of conflict in the army service of the
United States as presented in the pa
pers this morning, and whether 1t VIII
end in a duel or not I do not know, but
it seems that there is a very consider
able amount OF friction in the army Of
the United States. There was some
conflict among the officers in the navy
in the greatest battle in the war, the
greatest battle of modern times, be-
II character
the men and vessels that were engaged
in it, ard there is no doubt in the mind
of the American people who is entitled
TO the credit of that victory. But there
are people who are trying to steal away
from Schley the credit of the glorious
triumph he won on the Sd day of July,
1885,
SAMPSON OR sCHLEY?
In this connection, Mr.. Berry read
the following poem, amid a whirlWind
OF laughter and applause:
when the Spanish fleet with full head
Dashed out of Santiago bay,
Taking the chances OF death and wreck,
who stood on a Yankee quarterback.
And marked the game with eagle eye,
Say, was it Sampson, or was 1t SchIey!
daughter and applause.)
Who was it. when shot and screaming
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, . c,,o
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.
A. Of
In letters of gold, write that name on
Shall We write it Sampson, or write it
daughter and applause)
81 saw it should be written Schley,"
continued Mr.. Berry. 4 then say that
there should be provision of law that,
whether it goes to Schley or Sampson,
the prize money should be paid to the
men who have won that glorious
achievement, but that the provision Tor
prize money ought to be wiped on the
Statute books. I say the men who made
tl1at magnificent charge at San Juan
hin. in all aspects of this case, are as
much entitled to take Santiago as a
reward for their services as the men
who sunk Cervera'S ships. (ReneWed
applause.)
In. response 10 a direct question, Mr..
Never Dem, Lao said the committee
would offer an amendment TO repeal the
law giving prize money to the navy
His statement was generally appiauded.
GERMANY DEFIED.
Later. Mr.. Berry alluded to the sit
uation in the Philippines. He had not
decided. he said, how ne would stand on
the proposition to annex those islands,
but he wanted it distinctly understood
that the backing Aguinaldo was sup
posed to be receiving from Germany
would have no weight in affecting his
opinion. I'VE may yet have TO whip
Germany, as we did Spain" said he,
amid great applause.
Mr.. Bailey Dem, Tex objected to
the abolition Of the rank OF commo-
dore. Our greatest sea captains, he
said. had held that rank in the hour Of
their victories-Perry, Jones, Farragut,
Schley and Dewey. American traditions
chung about the title Of commodore, and
he was opposed to its abolition to meet
the social distinction of foreign powers
and foreign courts. It might be only a
but he preferred an Ameri-
can sentiment to the etiquette of a for
eign court. (Applause.)
Mr.. Dayton explained that the title
of commodore was unknown abroad.
and that on state occasions it was not
known where to place commodore.
.'They may not know where to place
an American commodore at the dance"
interposed Mr.. Bailey. but they know
where to place him in the battle Cap
plause.)
without completing the consideration
of the bill the committee rose and, at
o'clock, the house adjourned.
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