The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-10
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, The ac, Of April ii. 1912. de-

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Mr.. UNDERWOOD The act OF April IA, Is42. de-
elares
That the Secretary Of the Navy be- and he is hereby
authorized to enter into contract with Robert L. Stevens
Stevens,o 40.
Now. sir, | presume that before the contract could
nave been entered into, according 10 the act OF Congress-
r Stevens must necessarily have exhibited his plan
My friend Mr.. HAMLIEl shakes his head but if not, il
seems 70 me that the Secretary OF the Navy must have
acted very improperly The act OF Congress authorizes the
contract TO De made according TO the plan OF Mr. Stevens
Il the duty OF the Secretary OF the Navy 10 what
that plan was before the contract entered into He
had authority TO make contract but in execution of
The plan That plan constituted the necessary ingredient
IN The execution OF the act OF Congress- and must have
been embraced in the contract This the act passed
in 1912, Tor the reading OF which called and then
asked the gentleman from New Jersey whether the
tract had been made, and he replied in the affirmative.
the contract has been made in pursuance OF this act
good fath Il seems to me, requires the execution OF the
contract He must necessarily have exhibited the plan
before the contract entered into However, sir,
am always 10 favor OF investigation, and have no OBJ
lection 10 granting the gentleman from Maine an OPP
potuny TO look into it, and to ascertain all the facts
would be very proper, and hope the gentleman from
New Jersey will not object to the resolution being laid
over Ht4 -
Mr.. HALE wish 10 make another inquiry OF some
gentleman upon the Naval Committee. Ii | recol1ect
anght In the speech made few days since by the honor
able senator from New Jersey, think he pronounced
our large vessels war, and ships ofthe-line
less entirely useless for purposes OF naval warfare.
do not know that have his words, but certainly it
his idea that large ships ofhe line and fngaes
eess for naval warfare. WE'LL sir by an amend
ment to the deficiency BILL have made provision for
ve steamers which be converted into vessels OF
at any moment This is practically an addition TO our
large scale for the defence of habors and my inquiry is
while the Naval Committee recommending these in
creased defencesfor this amount put upon the def
cheney bill at their additions TO the
steam marine which really useful and beneficial in
various aspecswheher they propose to withdraw anyof
these large and useless huks which the senator from New
Ia he al
Ia other words these TO be additions to The useless part
Of The nayy OF are they TO be substitutes, the useless
being Withdrawn 7 should like to hear from the Com
millee Naval Affairs upon the subject before vote is
Mr. ATCHISON | trust that this matter will be post
poned until tomorrow 10 some other day lgave way
with the understanding that there to be debate
upon the subject that il there should be, it should be
postponed by common consent
Mr. STOCKTON. One word, and ! will give way
should not, with my own consent yield to the request
oil ny friend from Maine, because sir this bill has been
before Congress and before the Senate for some time,
aud this report has also been for some time before the
Senate while i IS very evident that the gentleman has
not read It. made speech upon The subject, which
supposed would have some impression upon gentlemen
interested in these things but il seems not have
idea that II is duty, we can help IT, TO delay matters
IN order TO allow senators to find out the facts with re-
gard to them they go alongfrom what IS said from
speech aud another speech, and the inquiries that
made and answered. II seems 10 me that IT ls the
business OF study the subject beforehand, and
To acquant themselves with The acs and 10 be prepared
Tor II when it up. shall, therefore, object 10 any
such posiponemeni, not only in this case, but in all
others is the habit of lawyers go into court,
and 10 hear what their adyersares say to lind out what
The is and 10 postfone from time TO time until they
can be posted up That not the mode in which desire
any business with which have anything 10 do 10 be
ducei | shall oppose, therefore, so far as can, any
postponement of the matter. Ii has been long enough
before the Senate and if the gentleman will look at this
memorial of the ruth OF which suppose there can be no
doubt, he will fnd that al this very time the department
is 10 possession OF the plans OF Mr. Stevens furnished at
the time the original contract made, and further
statement OF his plans furnished in November, lsa4.
Surely cannot postpone for that Plans have been
olered and have been considered and year after year
these contracts have been renewed and reafmed, and
no question made in regard to Mr. Sevens's plan not
having been presented TO the department hope, there
fore, that my friend will be satisfied with the plan that
has been presented 10 the department will, however,
Yield, in consequence OF my promise.
J. Dir. ATCHISON moved that the further consideration
of the resolution be postponed until tomorrow.
The motion agreed 10.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
On motion of Mr.. ATCHlS0N, the Senate proceeded
the consideration OF executive business and after
time spent therein the doors reopened, and the Sen
ate adjourned