, 1872-12-06

Dill providing 10T teu 61uUpa u HAl-
Mr. POTTER commended that it was not prac-
ticable for vessels Of 500 600 tons to carry ten
large guns; that the statement made by Mr.
Scoield, Chairman Of the Naval Committee was
not correct, but that the statement made by Mr.
Platt, that the vessels ought to be from SOU to
1000 tons, was nearer tho mark. Such vessels
could not be built for anything like the sum
mentioned. Such vessels for war purposes
would cost from $500, 900 to 81, 100000. He be-
ieved the actual cost Of these vessels would ap-
proach 81, 100000 for each. he contended that
the House was entitled to much better informn-
ton than it had received on the subject. and to
have matured plan submitted for the creation
of the Navy, before called upon to vote for this
bill.
lit. COX argued that Messrs. Hale and SEQ
field had confessed that the plan each opposed
for building the ships was viciouB. One dis
trusted private contracts as jobs; the other
navy yards, as prodgal and Wasteful. Both
gentlemen had not laid stress enough upon the
mischiefs that require reform. The navy yards
need reform, especially as to employees and poll
tics. Who shall reform the acknowledged job
berry OF private contracts7 AS this bill was an
immature makeshift, and as something ought to
be done, he favored reducing the number Of
sloops to eix, three to be built in private yards
with less sum until more information and O
better plan given.
Mr. BECK opposed tho bill, on the ground
that the moneys heretofore appropriated for
such purposes have been spent on worthless
ships, Al Of which were sold in the last five
years in ways that Congress knew nothing. Of,
and even to the lowest instead Of the highest
bidder. He didn't know but these vessels would
be declared unfit for service and sold before
they had been built year: It had been charged
that one vessel had been sold for 519 coo, which,
after getting one coat Of paint, was sold again
for $120, 900, in the course Of week.
Mr.. KERR urged the postponement Of the
bill, as the House was not in possession OF In
formation to act intelligent1y; for the Secretary
OF the Navy'a report was extremely and disrepu--
tab1y void Of such information. Healso opposed
the bill, because the country didnot aspire to be
8 great military or naval power. The army and
navy are now on peace footing, and could Pc
Of the United States WAS to be found not in
great standing army or navy, but efectually ex-
lists in the concrete power OF mighty nation:
What was Of more Importance was the reform OF
the existing scandalous Laws affecting our rela-
tions with other nations, so there could be built
up great and powerful commercial navy.
Mr. COGHIAN opposed, and Mr. RAN
DALI supported, the amendment to have half
the vessels built in private yards: The discus
4l9a vas p Mes7rs Les II Il n f.
vor of the bill, Mr. HALE defending the
Navy Department from the asperBions
cast upon it, and sCOF1ELD. Chairman Of the
Naval Committee, urging that all the vessels
COtlQ De cOnBIIuCLbu Ill LIS navy ydIu6 6tuAoA
and better than in private yards.
Mr. GARFIELD offered an amendment pro-
viding that no contract or order for the con-
st1uctioh Of these vessels be made until full
detailed estimates be submitted to Congress and
appropriations made therefor.
Alr. SARGENT opposed the amendment as
dilatory, and advocated the bill.
Mr. SHELLABARGER favored the construc-
tion Of vessels carrying less than eix guns as
more effective in enforcing the Neutrality laws,
which, he stated on the authority Of the secre-
tary of the Treasury'e report, had in every III
stance been used in the revenue cutter SERVICE
Mr. LEONARD MYERS said the bill gave the
Secretary full authority to build these vessels.
No doubt six or seven OF them would be built In
the navy yards, but it would still be optional for
the Secretary to build several at private yards
The discretion he was willing to give, but, above
al, he wanted the ships built, and it would be q
subject Of congratulation that this necessary
project would give employment to thousands Of
skilled mechanics and labore1s.
The House, under the operation Of the previ-
GUS question, agreed, n to IS, to Mr. Hale's
amendment, requiring half Of the vessels to be
built in private yards; to hr. Banks amend
ment, making provisions as to the guns, that
they do not exceed ten; to Mr. Garfeld's
amendment, requiring the plans and estimates
to be submitted to Congress, and the appropria-
ton made before the work commenced, and to
Mr. Co1's amendment, reducing the number OF
vessels to be constructed from ten to si1, the
latter by vote Of 104 to 81.
The bill as amended passed.
A motion to adjourn to Monday WIGS defeated
Adjourned.