Evening star., 1902-01-23
SENT TO COMMIT TEE
Senator Mason's Resolution to Give
Sehley a Sword.
THE CASEOF COMMANDMENTS GSCHEEPERS
Senator Teller Defends His Course
in Introducing His Resolution.
DEFICIENCY BILL DISCUSSED

Rev. ]. ]. Dolllver of Fort Dodge, Iowa,
father Of Senator Dolliver, pronounced the
Invocation at the opening Of today's ses-
sion Of the Senate.
Sonn after the Senate convened Mr. Hale
'Mej moved that when the Senate ad-
journed today 1t be until Monday next.
Pending action upon the motion, Mr.
Lodge (Mass). in charge of the Philip
pine tariff bill. said he had been informed
by Mr. Rswlns. in charge of the minority
substitute, that the opponents of the meas
are were not prepared to proceed with the
debate today. but would be on Monday.
Mr.. Lodge gave notice that and after
Monday he would press the measure daily
for consideration
MIR. iiale's motion then was adopted.
Thanks and sword for SchIey.
Mr. Mason Qlls-) offered the following
Joint resolution: That the thanks of Con-
gress be hereby rendered to Admiral VIM
field Scott Schley for his brave and able
conduct while in command of the Ameri-
can fleet at the victorious battle of San
tiago.
That sword be presented to him by
the Secretary of the Navy of the United
States: and the sum Of $40, 900, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, is hereby
IOr the purpose OF this reSO-
tuition out of any money In the treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
Ihat the Secretary of the Navy shall
cause to be struck bronze medals comme-n-
orattng the battle Of Santiago and distrib
ate the same to the officers and men under
,ommand of Schley during said battle of
Santiago"
Mr.. Mason said the resolution was prac-
tically identical with that adopted in the
of Admiral Dewey
II think We would better let this resolu-
t"n go over suggested Mr.. Hale, chair
man of the committee on naval affairs
The matter involved is In controversy.
IL ought to go to a committee
Il do not see that It Is necessary" said
Mr. Mason. that the resolution should go
to committee 1t Is statement of his
torical fact which has been passed upon
by the American people. Under the rules
it can be read second time and passed"
The chair explained that the resolution
could not be read a second time in the face
VI objection. which had been made
Mr. Hale said he had no objection to the
second reading of the resolution and it
Was read again.
Mr. Hale then moved that the measure
be referred to the committee on naval af-
fairs.
To this motion Mr. Mason objected. urg-
Ing that the facts being known of all men
every senator knew precisely how he would
vote upon 1t.
Referred to Committee
BY viva voce vote the resolution was
referred to the committee on naval affairs
Mr. Teller (Colo) called up his resolution
introduced yesterday providing for the in
tervention of the United States government
In behalf of Commandant Scheepers of the
Boer army sentenced to death by the
British South African authorities. He ex-
plained that he had introduced the resolu-
tiOn because his attention had been di-
rected to what seemed to be a violation of
articles 1 and 5 of the Geneva convention
The Case of COmmandant Scheepers
Since introducing the resolution, however,
he said. he had been informed by the Asso-
ciated Press that the death sentence upon
Commandant Scheepers had been executed
last Saturday
Several senators, Mr.. Teller added. had
criticised him for introducing the resolu-
tion, although he had been always very
careful about introducing bills and resolu-
tiohs relating to the governments foreign
relations 1T Is said,' continued MIR. Tel
Ter that the resolution might be offensive
to the government of Great Britain; but if
the Geneva convention, to which both the
United States and Great Britain We're par
ties. means anything. 1t means that VIC
shouid intervene In such a case as this. Ii
this man was captured as stated. while
lying In a hospital. Great Britain. in put
ting him to death, is guilty of vile assas-
sination."
Mr.. Teller read the articles of the Geneva
convention applying to the case. and said ::
These are rules of warfare which the Car
of Russia would respect; which half-civiiiz-
ed Turkey and Semi-barbarouS Persia would
respect Under these rules this was a case
In which the United States or any other
nation party to the Geneva convention had
ample right to intervene. 1t was the busi-
ness of this government to have ascertain
ed the facts regarding this case, and to
have protested against this execution. Are
We so pusillanimous. SO afraid of offending
the susceptibilities of Great Britain as to
have refrained from doing our duty in a
case where humanity was about to be
yiolatedT'
MIR. Teller referred to what he said was
Great Britains efforts to destroy two
struggling republics. and asserted that II
the truth had been told by British official
reports more Beers had been Slaughtered"
during the past year than had been admit
ted by Great Britain to have been in arms
In the whole of South Africa
Without further comment Mr.. Teller, in
view Of the execution of Commandant
Scheepers. asked that the resolution be
postponed indefinitely. 1t was SO ordered.
Department of Commerce Bill.
At the conclusion of routine business con-
sideration OF the department of commerce
bill was resumed. The pending amendment
was that offered by Mr.. Pettus (AlaD, pro-
yiding that the department of labor be not
transferred to the proposed new depart
fnent Mr.. Pettus made brief argument
in support Of his amendment
In reply Mr. Nelson. in charge of the
pending measure. said that throughout the
consideration OF the bill he had heard no
protest against the transfer of the depart
ment Of labor to the department of COM
merce until recently an official of a labor
organization had objected to the transfer.
He was convinced. he said, that whatever
opposition had been aroused among labor
people to the transfer Of the department of
labor had been inspired from within the
department OF labor itself. He maintained
that it was a mistake to leave the labor de-
partment without the Jurisdiction of an
executive department.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Soon after the House met todav n wont