State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-31
CONGRESS.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN BELL.
OF TENNESSEE, ON THE
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Delivered in the House of Representatives
March II, 1886,

Delivered in the House of Representatives,
March II, 1886,
MIR CHAIRMAN,-I desire that | should
not be understood, from the remarks here
tolore submitted by me on the bill under
consideration, to be hostile to the Navy, or
even to such Notifications as may be known
to he necessary TO the defence of our most
important commercial and naval depots.
On the contrary, | am decidedly in favor of
n considerable increase of our present ma.
val establishment. Indeed, / do not re-
member sentiment delivered by the gem
teman who preceded me in the debate,
(Mr Chumbers,) upon this point to which |
do not yield hearty concurrence. What
wish to accomplish by my motion is that
we shall first settle and adopt some system
or plan of improvement, in this branch of
the national defence, which shall promise
Il greater degree ofeconomy and efficiency
than we can hope for under the present
system.
now propose, Mr. Chairman, to extend
the range of this debate much beyond the
latitude assumed in the preceding part of
it. propose to remark freely upon the
general policy of the present administration
as lately developed. The principles and
practices of those in power are always
subjects of great interest to the country
Those of the party which now control the
affairs of this republic are peculiarly so at
this time. While it is my intention, in
what | shall say on these subjects, to be
perfectly respectful to the feelings and mo-
tives Of the committee, and especially to
those who constitute the majority of the
House of Representatives, yet, with these
limitations, it is my intention to indulge the
privilege Of debate to the utmost extent of
parliamentary license.
l desired some suitable occasion for the
indulgence of the very wide range of re-
mark upon which | am about to enter than
the present bill. | would have greatly pre-
terred the bill reported by the gentleman
from Kentucky, (Mr Johnson making APP
preparations for great number Of new
tortiiicatons. The bill proposing an extra
appropriation for the Improvement and in
crease Of the navy would have been select
ed in preference TO the present one but,
sir, | have lately had my doubts whether it
is intended that either of these bills shall
be acted upon before the close of the ses-
sion, when debate will be out of the ques-
ton. l know the responsibilities to which
| may subject myself by making this bill
the subject of a tedious debate. am sat
isfed that might expect some better eff
feet from the remarks intend to offer, if
had been more fortunate in the occasion of
them. But, sir, the time and the occasion
| have selected, may not, after all be of so
much consequence. Greater skill in par
liamentary tactics might have enabled me
TO do greater justice to my subject, by TAX
ing different course from the one | am
about to adopt; but am encouraged by
the saying Of the gallant Nelson. upon some
occasion when the importance Of skill III
naval tactics was spoken of: "a Captain
(said he,) cannot be far wrong, who, i'll
battle, lays his ship alongside of the enc
N.Y."
Such discussion as propose is always
salutary, and ought to be INDUCED at every
session of Congress; in truth, it should
never he omitted. Ifany find fault with
the delay that is likely to occur, let them
take consolation from the motto of the
Government journal, which is, that "the
world is governed too much )" PROPOSE
ton, however, by no means consistent with
the principles of the party of which this
journal is the organ. But if it shall be in
quired, why provoke party discussion
unon the navy bill, or upon any of the APP
preparation bills: why not bring forward
some distinct proposition, in the shape of &
resolution? | answer, because perceive
settled purpose in the House to proven
the Introduction of any subject which car
fairly give rise to the desired discussion
during the present session. 1 want NJ
other proof of this determination of the
majority of the House than the resolution
offered by the gentlemen from Virginia
tMr Mason,) and adopted on the Goth o
January. The reason alleged for this reso
luton was, the defenceless condition of tin
country; the fears entertained of wa
with France, and consequently the grea
importance of passing the appropriation