New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-17
HOUSE REFUSES TO
SELL MAINE WRECK
Republican Leader and MlSsIS-
sippi Democrat Almost Come
to Blows in Debate.
MILLION HAS BEEN OFFERED
Macon, of Arkansas, Would Turn
the "Old Carcass" Over to
Showmen-Fitzgerald De-
nounces Scheme.
tI.rnn, rhe Trihuns bureau.

Washington. Dec. 16.-The Marquis OF
Queensberry rules came near being SUD-
stituted for the rules OF the House to-
day before that body. in turbulent ses-
sion. finally passed the urgent deficiency
bill carrying A little more than 5000
OcO. Representative Mann, the minority
leader. and Representative Sisson,
Mississippi Democrat were the near con
testants. The debate throughout was
more heated than ordinarily attends the
consideration Of bill appropriatng
hundreds of millions.
Mr.. Mann and Mr.. Ssson disagreed
over the disposition Of the wreck or the
battleship Maine. TO complete the rals-
I ing Of which the bill appropriates 500
600. The Mississipplan proposed TO sell
the wreck TO the highest bidder rather
than tow It out to sea for honorable
burial. Mr.. Mann bitterly denounced
such an unpatriotic purpose, saying he
was surprised Mr.. Sisson had not also
proposed 'to sell the bones of the dead
seamen who perished with the ship"
"Only the rules Of the House" shouted
the irate Mississlppian, prevented him
from "resentinG the insult The minor
Hv leader suggested that the rules of the
House need not interfere. The two
members glarcd at each other and then
subsided.
The referee was Representative
Hughes, Of New Jersey. who occupied
the chair in the absence Of Speaker
Clark Mr. Hughes banged the gaveh
| called time and began to look beseech-
| ingly i'm the direction Of the sergeant at
arms. who seemed far less apathetic than
usual As fiery tilts are becoming quite
the thing i'm the House these days, even
the Democrats scrappng among them
selves. il is believed that tine Speaker
will have To make himself familiar with
either tho Marquis Of Queensbcrrv rules
or thosc Of tho London prize ring. 50
they may be substituted at - moments
notice for Kinds Procodants, Jefferson's
Manual and that other time honored
parliamentary document, Rules and
Regulations Of the House Of Representa-
tives.'
Representative Macon. of Arkansas
self-constituted watchdog of the Treas
ury. opposed altogether the $4,000 ap-
propriation for the Maine. Rising in
dignantly. the Arkansas member de
clared that the people had been pilfercd
long enough for sentimental reasons.
He understood that some one had made
ar offer OF S1OOO.ooO for the Maine in
order to exhibit it "to sentimental curio
buntors AT Concy Island OF elsewhere.
"Iyhv has not this offer been accepted
demanded Mr.. Macon i'm the stentorian
,,r,s horn of the Arkansas hustngs.
Macon Would Sell the Wreck.
Il believe it would he better for the
ucopIe 10 ct what We can for the ship"
n. said. There are plenty of novelty
sa.kers and Coney Islandites who would
Gladly take the old carcass where it IS
and nav a fool price for it in order to
gct II over here and charge so much Il
look at il. or sell pieces Of 1t 10 curio
hunters at SO much curio.'
chairman Fitzgerald or the Appro-
rristions Committee strongly opposed
any sale Of the hull
"In my opinion the American people
would not tolerate making public
.ho,y ,r ,hat old vessel" he said. There
are some things that are sacred to the
ro,,le and among them are the remains
Of men or vessels lost IN defence of tn
nation. would deplore the American
government attempting 10 mako pro.it
out uf this Glip. merely To gratiiy the