Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1898 — PRAISE FOR HEROES. [ARTICLE]

PRAISE FOR HEROES.

Congress Honors Men Who Have Performed Brave Deeds. SEDATE EXTENDS A VOTE OF THANKS. Hobaon, Uoilgiun, Newcomb and Otb•ri Are Named—liettcbeney JUIAI la Paiied-beml-tteliKloaa 1)1*cuasion la (lie Uouae. Washington. June 30.—A precedent that will be historic was establisned by the senate at Its session Vv euuesday. For probably the rirst tune in tne history of the senate a resolution was adopted tendering the thanas ot congress to common seamen, specihcally naming them in the resolution. The resolution elicited several patriotic speeches in which tne private soldiers ot the army and the common sailors ot the navy were glowingly eulogised. The resolutions recommeudeu by the president w'ere adopted, tendering the thanks ot congress to Naval Constructor Hobson and the other heroes of the Merimac and to Lieut. Frank H. Newcomb, commander of the revenue cutter Hudson, for his gallant rescue ot the Winslow and her crew oft Cardenas; and retiring on full pay CapC Hodgson, of the McCullough, for distinguished services at Manila. Consideration of the general deficiency bill was concluded and the measure was passed. An amendment of great Importance was attached to the bill, practically by general consent. It relates to the settlement of the claims of the government against the Pacific railroads. It was offered by Senator Morgan (Ala.), who made a strong appeal to the senate for Its adoption. Before It was agreed to, Senator White (Cal.) proposed some amendments to it, making it even more binding upon the roads than it was in its original form. The bill, as passed, carries about 3227,000,000, the largest sum carried by any appropriation measure since the civil war. After the passage of the deficiency bill consideration of the Hawaiian annexation resolutions was resumed, Senator Cattery (dem.. La.) concluding his speech in opposition to annexation. In the House. Washington, June 30.—The house disposed of a number of measures and incidentally enjoyed a speech from Mr. Allen (Miss.), which precipitated a political episode in which Mr. Grosvenor (rep., O.) and Mr. Bailey (dem., Tex.) figured as the principals. Mr. Allen proposed that a company of congressmen be raised and go to Cuba. After sending the Indian and sundry civil bills back to conference, consideration of bills from the military affairs committee, under the rule adopted Tuesday, proceeded. Notable among the measures passed were those providing for the enlistment of cooks In the army; providing for the appointment of military storekeepers for the army; providing for the protection of harbor defenses and fortifications against wanton and malicious injury, and giving the secretary of war discretion to permit any church or religious sect to erect Its house of .worship upon the West Point military reservation. The last named bill precipitated.'considerable discussion, it being framed at the Instance of Catholic effort, bat giving equal privileges to all churches. Mr. Hull elaborated the arguments In support of the bill, and Mr. Bromwell (rep., O.) opposed it as being framed solely for the Catholics, and he antagonized launching upon a policy that would end In a fight between the churches for control of the worship at West Point. “I am a brother-in-law to the Methodist church,” declared Mr. Cannon (rep., Ill.), "and the gentleman cannot claim that there is anything in the bill that discriminates against the Methodist church or any other church.” Mr. Berry (dem., Ky.) supported the bill, and Mr. Northway (rep., O.) opposed it, declaring his opposition to any movement that would result in special favors to any church. Mr. Bailey defied anyone to contend it contained anything that favored one sect over any other. Incidental to his argument for the bill, he paid a superb tribute to the Christian soldiers of the country, notably the confederate leader Stonewall Jackson and to the spirits of the fathers of the republic, which moved them incorporating in the constitution the safeguards about religious liberty. In response to an interruption, he said; "A government that maintains a barroom within its capitol and refuses the right for any church to build its own church on the reservation where Its soldiers are trained, is a disgrace." Mr. Cummings (dem., N. Y.) and Mr. Henderson (rep., la.) supported the bill. The bill was supported further by Mr. Adams (rep.. Pa.) and Mr. Lentz (dem., O.), and a vote was then taken. The bill was passed 133 to 25.