The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1869-04-07

tee-that $4,000 would not be required to
make the proper improvements at this har-
Dor and remove this obstruction.
Now, the Senator from New York propo-
ses that we allow this proposition TO lie
over and put ii upon another appropriation
bill. The objection TO that is, that it proba-
Div would not be intrusted to the same par
ties to make the Improvement that ii would
be if it was Incorporated into this bill. Al
lowing the Navy TO make the improvement,
authorizing it 10 be done under the Secretary
of the Navy who, has the ships and the men
already in the public employment, TO go out
and make the poroper surveys and examine
tons and carry on the improvement it pro-
badly would not cost one tenth of what il
would If you made the appropriation upon
your ordinary river and harbor bill and
authorized il to be done under the direction
of the Secretary of War; because in that
case vessels would have to be chartered or
purchased, scows would have TO be made,
dredging machines of new construction
would have to be made; whereas you now
can take all the implements we have at the
Mare Island navy yard to be used for this
purpose, and thereby save a very large
amount Of money.
Mr.. Conkling. Will the honorable Senator
allow me to remark that / made no such sug
gestion as that which he is now considering.
Ii never occurred to me- if this is to be done,
that it should be done by any Department
except the Navy Department; but why is it,
if he will tell US, that on miscellaneous APP
preparation bills, for example, this very
amendment can not be attached with the d.
rection in a word that it is to be done by the
Navy Department?
Mr. Grimes Why is it that it should not
be put on this naval appropriation bill! Is
not the Senator willing 10 trust to the exam
ination that the Naval Committee has been
able to give to this subjeet9 Is it vastly
important that the Committee on Appropria-
tions, of which he and l have the honor to
be members, should consider it? Is that
Committee any more entitled to examine
this subject, or entitled to greater credit for
any examination they may make on ques-
ton of this kind, than the Naval Committee
Mr.. Conkling. If the Senator will allow
me, did not interrupt him for the purpose
of making that suggestion. If the Senate is
sufficiently informed ON this subject-and the
information which the Senator is now giving
certainly goes far TO that end-so be il; but
if, in truth, any further investigation is de-
sirable, there can be no objection to putting
the amendment on another bill rather than
upon this. That is my point Now, if the
Senator thinks We know enough about it to
put ii on this bill, very good; if we do not,
l submit to him, there is no objection what
ever to selecting another bill rather than this
on which to put it.
Mr.. Grimes. do not know what may be
the condition of information of other mem
beers. All can say is that think the Senate |
has all the light on the subject they are able !
to obtain. l think that no question ever |
came before the Naval Committee where |
there was greater effort to procure accurate |
information on a subject than there was on /
this. regret extremely that the papers that |
accompanied the report of the Committee !
have been sent for publication TO the printer, |
and are not within reach of the Senate at !
this time. This is subject, / desire TO state, Z
in which | have no particular direct interest. 7
The gentlemen representing the Pacific coast /
are very deeply Interested in it. 1t is 4 ,
question that certainly must address itself 10 4
the good judgment of every man who Is
largely interested in the commerce of the .
country, and it will be great aid to the .
Navy of the United States and to our nR-
tional defenses in the future. That is the
reason | support it.
Mr. Morrill,, of Maine. propose an amend
ment to the amendment, which ! send to the
Clerks table and ask to have read.
The Chief Clerk. 1t is proposed to amend
the amendment so that il will read:
"For deepening the entrance to the hSr-
Dor of Midway Islands, in the Pacific Ocean,
so as to afford a safe rendezvous and port Of
refuge and resort for the naval aud merchant
vessels OF the United States, $50, 900, or SO
much thereof as may be necessary, to be ex-
pended under the direction of the Secretary /
of the Navy, if in his judgment, after pre-
liminary examination, he shall deem such
expenditure expedient."
Mr.. Nye. That is all right
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine If that is acceptable
perhaps it will obviate the difficulty.
Mr.. Nye. think that is right.
Mr.. Cole. | understand the preliminary
has already been had, and thas
this will result in the delay requisite to make
another examination.
Mr.. Nye. If they have a satisfactory sur
vey now, of course they will not make an
other, but will act upon the survey already
made
Mr.. Cole If they have light enough on
the subject now, l do not see why there should
be another examination or survey.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine. 1t will throw the
responsibility upon the Secretary.
Mr. Cole. 1t seems to me the amendment
would require another examination before
.he expenditure could be made.
Mr. Morrill,, of Maine. That is not the
language of it.
Mr.. Nye. The Navy Department are fully
possessed of all the facts 1t might be better
o insert the words ''if another examination
5 deemed necessary" but guess it is well
enough as it is
The President, pro tenlpore. The question
5 on the amendment as modified by the
senator from Maine
The amendment, as modified, was agreed
o.