Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-14
.LAURELS FOR SCHLEY.
Berry, Of Kentucky lauds Him
in the House.
A POEM AND LAUGHTER.
The Marylander'S Praises Sung 10
Comic Verse.
THE NAVAL PERSONNEL BILL
AIIusions to the Naval Fight mt
Santiago and Caustic References
IN sampson-xo More Prize-Money-
owe May Have to whip Germany"

WASHINGTON, January 13.-The House
to-day entered upon the consideration or
the naval personnel BILL 1t developed
much less opposition than was antici-
pated. and the indications are that II
will have a large majority when 1t Is
placed upon it's passage tomorrow.
The last vestige of opposition 10 the
measure from the line officers Of the navy
was removed to-day when an amend
ment was adopted designed to prohibit
staff officers upon whom the bill confers
positive rank from exercising command
save in their own corps.
NO MORE PRIZE MONEY.
The committee also asserted their In
tention 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 to the glories OF our naval VIC
tories in the late war, and Mr.. Berry, o.
Kentucky, created a great deal of enthu-
siasm by his eulogy Of Schley as the nero
NJ Santiago. In the course OF his re-
marks Mr.. Berry made the first allusion
on the floor of the House to the mooted
question as to who was responsible TOT
the victory over Cervera's fleet at san
tiago.
IAUREIS FOR SCHLEY.
81 believe the bill will remove conflict,
and II there Is any country where there
is a necessity for the removal of conflict
I'm the army or the navy. 1t is the Chited
States. Q.aughter)
.I think we had a magnificent phase or
n conflict I'm the armed service OF the
United States in the papers this morning,
and whether it will end in duel or not
l do not know, but ii shows there 1s
very considerable amount Of friction In
the army OF the United States. There was
also some conflict among the officers In
the navy in the greatest battle Of the
war-the greatest battle of modern times,
because II demonstrates the character OF
the men and the vessels that were en-
gagged in it-and there is no doubt in the
mind OF the American people who Is en-
titled to the credit of the victory. But
there are people who are trying to steal
away from Schley the credit OF the glo-
rious triumph he won on the 81 oil july
1898"
A POEM AND LAUGHTER.
In this connection Mr.. Berry read the
following poem. amid whlrlwind of
laughter and applause:
when the Spanish fleet with full 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 eye?
Saw. was it Sampson or was IL Schley?
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 eartf
and sky?
Say. was it Sampson or was it Schley?
daughter and applause0
I'm American hearts who holds frs
OF those who claim part on that glorious
chase?
Whose name stood out on that proud da!
AS the hero of Santiago bay?
In letters of gold write that name oi
b. Shall we write 1t Sampson or write
r Schley?"
:, daughter and applause)
'I say IL should be written Schley
T. added Mr. Berry.
~
Later, Mr.. Berry alluded to the situatio
: in the Philippines. He had not decided !
n said. how he would stand on the PR
l. position to annex those islands but
$ wanted it distinctly understood that Il
d backing Agunaldo was supposed to
receiving from Germany would have !
j. weight i'm affecting his opinion.
% 1--WE may have to whip Germany, as
l. did Spain" said he, amid whiriwind
s. laughter and applause.
e, The bill was supported by Messrs. 70
Ig Republicam. Of Illinois: Dayton Nepub
cam. of West Virginia; Berry Democra
e OF Kentucky; briggs OemocraD. OF Ne
, York. and Dinsmore Democrat, of A
II kansas and opposed by Messrs. Low
e Republican), of New York, and Simps'
e PopullsD. of Kansas.
% At 5 p. NJ. the House adjourned.