The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-12-16


at the principal towns OF the coast beforI
he would legtslate on the subject2
The gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Randalll had said that there would be nc
war. Who could tell? There was 1
speck OF war between the great northern
nations Of Europe, poor Ireland was also
about to be put on the board again to un
dergo the scalpel Of British policy. There
was desolatiug wars raging between the
governments OF South America, aud Cuba
We GrinS on the commerce Of this coun'
try every two or three months. He
hoped the incoming administration would
listen 10 no more apologies, and would
enter upon q policy which would teach all
nations, aud particularly Spain, that
American commerce must be secure and
the American dag must be respected
wherever II floats. In conclusion be re.
ferred to the proposed construction OF the
inter.oceanic canal and the possible com.
plicAtiors arising gtherefromasan an additional
reason for sea coast defense. The gen.
eral debate closed soon after and the bill
wss read for amendments.
Mr.. Johnston, under direction OF the
Military Committee, offered an amend.
meut making the first section read as fol-
lows: That $4,000 be appropriated for
the modification, protection, preservation
aud repair OF the Notifications and other
works Of defense, the same to be expended
under the diteCtion OF the Secretary oil
War at the most important aud exposed
harbors.
Dir. Randall opposed the amendment
He said that under cover OF the fancied
apprehension that this country was likely
to be engaged In war with foreign powers
the House was asked to find justification
for an increase Of expenditures on
one OF the regular appropriation bills
In this bill the House would
show what ought to bs expected
or al other bills, and II Representatives
Wtre not TO pursue that policy that they
had promised the people they would pur-
sue, they failed to come up to the agree.
ment they had made when they sought re.
election. There was no danger from any
source OF a foreign war. He would rather
rely on diplomacy. The gentleman from
Louisiana (Ellis) had told the House that
Spain had recently msde an assault upon
an American ship. Why, Spain had made
q full and ample apology therefor. The
gentleman had also referred to the con.
struction OF the Inter. Oceanic canal. Did
he not know that European tinaDciers and
European governments had refused to take
any step in reference to that canal unless it
had the absolute commendation Of
tue American government. Did he
not know that in reference 10
the war in South America other
governments besought the United States
10 take initiative steps for bringing about
peace. The European Governments 10
this instance had practically acknowledged
the Monroe doctrine, aud. instead OF un.
dertaking to make peace themselves, they
had come to the United States and asked
that the United States should be the aGbi-
TRAITOR. He maintained, in view OF history,
that eapprehensiO that were attempte
TO be raised here, that this country was 10
have foreign war, and that therefore
appropriations should be made, wnich
were not essential, and which, il the
policy was continued, would cause a large
Increase OF expenditures, were not
wise, and hO appealed to the
House without regard TO party, for this
was not party question, to meet this at.
tempt to increase the appropriation at
the threshold, and to prevent that policy
from being iiaugrrated as the policy OF
this expiring House, Let the increase in
appropriations rest with those who would
come to the next Congress with renewed
confidence, that the policy OF the Govern
ment was rather to build ornaments than
to decrease the burdens OF debt. Take of
taxation, modify the revenue and internal,
taxation laws andreleye the people, in.
stead OF at the very first opportunity after
recent election increasing the hurdens
OF taxation. He thought that thereby the
Republicans would commend themselves
to the ultimate confidence OF those from
whom they came.
Mr.. Johnston advocated the amend.
ment reported by himirom the Committee
on Military affairs. He believed there
was not an American port on the coast OF
either ocean into which war ships, even
OF small European power, could not enter
with impunity.
Mr.. Hill opposed the amendment, and,
argued that in the last four years the Gov
ernment had made no preparation for
war, but that the lack OF preparation was
fully compensated for by the genius and
patriotism OF the people, go it would be in
the future. He ridiculed the idea Of
S500,000 being Of any practical utility
when applied to coast line OF 1900
miles.
Mr.. McCook advocated the amendment,
and said that he relied upon the judg.
ment OF the gentleman from Virginia,
whose knowledge OF military affairs was
second TO that OF no man in the Unitsd
states. He could not agree with the
Speaker that there-was no danger OF war.
Within the last three years there
had been a tutter OF war with
Spain, and O Spanish iron clsd
then undergoing repairs in New York
hsrbor was, by an unworthy trick, de.
tanned there, that Ia II newspaper reports
are to be relied on. A coal barge had
been sunk in mysterious way in front
Of the dock, so it was impossible for the
Spanish vessel TO get out for many days.
MIR, Robson came to the defense Of the
Navy Department, and stated, amid laugh.
ter, that there was no mystery about it;
that the coal barge sprsng leak and sunk.
Mr.. Ca!kins argued against the amend
uent, and suggested that the modern and
euGGLlNe hIbtuuN VI NGleuuAuS d6hpVLLd
was the torpedo system.
Mr. Speer argued on the authority OF
Gen. Grant that what was needed was
not more extensive Qualifications but more
powerful ordnance.
Finally the discussion closed and the
amendment was reiec,ed-yess SO, nays 80
0ihsr amendments offered by Reagan,
Fort aud Ellis wero Sll either rejected or
ruled out. Tue committee then rose AID
reported bill TO the House and II passed.
Mr. Gibson tLa), from the Committee
on Mississippi Lsveas, reported bill sp.
propriating 81, 500 900 for tue improvement
Of the Mississippi river. TO bs expended
By and nrdes the direction oithe Secretary
Of War in accordance with the recommen.
dalions, plans. specifications and estimates,
aud under the superTision Of The Mississ.
ippi river commission. 0fderGd printed
and recOmmined. Adjourned
Hsyenuo Men to Go with Their Guns.
ATLANTA, GA, December l5.-In view
OF tho recent shooting Of Collector Wilson