The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-17
Battleship M aine Will
Not Be Sold to Exhi-
bition Promoters.
O FFERS RECEIVED
NOT ENTERTAINED
House Believes People Would
Not Tolerate Such Fate for
Famous Relic, and Refuses
to Sanction Proposal-Will
Be Sunk With Naval
Honors.

Washington December 16.-EHorts
TO authorize the sale of the hull Of
the battleship Maine to private parties
who desire to exhibit it at various
ports Of the United States. and charge
an admission fee TO visitors, were
defeated In the House OF Representa-
tives to-day. The urgent deficiency
b'ii carrying an appropriation of
S2Oo.09O 10 complete the work OF rails
ing the Maine. after hard tight. pass
cd the House without change
1t was admitted I'm the debate that
offers approa ching s1.0o0,O 900 have been
received from exhibition interegts for
the rear portion of the hull, which
gan be fitted UP with bulk head and
towed from Havana to the United
Statcc.
Chairman Fitzgerald. of the Appro-
priations Committee, admitted that IL
ia the present intention OF the govern
inent to tow the rear part OF the hull
out Into the ocean and sink 1t, with
the naval honor that goes to a gallant
battlesbip.
believe 1t would be better for the
people to get what we can for the
hhip' declared Representative Macon.
OF Arkansas. who opened the fight for
mo sale OF the hulk. There are
plenty OF neutrality-suspicious. and coney
isiandites who would gladly take the
oiu carcass where 1t is and pay n
5000 price for It, in order TO get II
oyer mere and charge so. much per look
at it, or sell pieces OF II 10 curio
hunters at SO much per curio."
mr.. Maeon's proposal to cut out the
APPROXIMATION to complete the work
On the Maine was defeated
Would Not ToIernte 1t.
my opinion the American people
Wouid not tolerate making a public
Int ~
Fitzgerald There arc some things
mat are sacred to the people. and
among them are the remains Of men or
OF vessels lost In the defense of the
nation. would deplore the American
government attempting to make profit
out OF the ship merely TO crafty the
,u'e curiosity OF any people OF the
United States"
Representative Sisson, of AIississippi.
one of the committee of Congress
which recently visited the wreck and
inspected the work. then attempted to
secure the adoption OF an amendment
authorizing the War Department 10
invite bids from private parties for the
rear portion of the hull. 10 be used for
exhibition purposes. lie said General
BiNby. in charge OF the work at Ha-
Fana stated that several tentative
Offers had been received from the
United States. some OF them approach
ing s1.o00.GO0.
Mr.. sisson said he did not consider
II as opposed to the desires OF the
american people to provide for q pub
lie exhibition of the wreck of the
Maine under private auspices.
Il would have no objection TO bay
Ing 1t towed up tho mississippi River
and exhibited to my children" declar-
cd Mr.. Sisson.
The House refused to sanction any
sale OF the Maine. The bill as passed
would permit the Secretary Of ue
Navy to give portion Of the wreck
TO the city Of Havana for a public
monument, such REQUEST having been
made By the President OF Cuba, a1td
would authorize the Secretary OF War
and the Secretary of the Navy to grant
other portions as souvenirs to cities,
patriotic societies or survivors or heirs
of survivors of the vessel.
Sharp Challenge for Mann.
sharp clash between Representa-
Aves James R. Mann. OF Illinois, Re-
publican leader of the House, and
Representative Sisson. gave the House
an exciting moment What MANY
members characterized as a challenge
was hurled by Representative Sisson
at the Illinois member. who. he said,
WINS protected by tho rules of the
House from what Mr. Sisson would
like to do or say to him.
Il do not ask for any protection by
the rules of the House." retorted Mr.
Mann sharply.
The House broke into an uproar.
which soon quieted, and consideration
Of tho appropriation bill proceeded
without further hostilities between the
two members
The interchange. which threatened
LOT moment to have unpleasant con-
sequences. resulted from Mr.. Sissons
efforts to secure the adoption of the
amendment permitting the hull of the
Maine TO be sold to private concerns.
Il am surprised that the gentleman
has not included In his proposition tho
selling Of tho bones of the seamen
who died IN the Maine" said Mr. Mann.
Both would bring large sums of
money"
mr.. Chairman. have never do
clIned to resent an insult when 1t Is
offered" said Mr. Sisson, when he re-
gained the floor. ION the contrary, L
have always been willing and ready
to take care of myself; but the rules
Of the House Will not permit me per-
hapB to do so. and to say those things
that are necessary to be said.
III the gentleman from Illinois has
any desire to In any way cast any
reflection upon me or my motives in
this matter. then want to say to him
that there are times -"
Hero Mr.. Sisson. who had heen lean
ing forward on his desk and speaking
with great elaboration, paused and
looked about the chamber Mr.. Mann
was listening intently.
~ IT would be perhaps better for me
not to state, just exactly my. opinion
bout that matter" continued Mr., Sis
5ij7 ~ fConfInNod 49, &C.,. \ ~,