Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-28
The Senate.

WASHINGTON, July 7.-Ihe naval appro-
priation bill was taken mp. The question was
upon the motion Of Senator Cameron pa to
recommit the bill with instructions to elemi-
nate all general legislation, changing the ex-
istiDg laws in regard to the navy.
Debate was interrupted by Senator Williams,
who offered an amendment to be proposed to
the sundry civil bill directing the attorney
general to ascertain what would be just and
reasonable compensation for the services rem
dered by Charles II. Reed in defense of Chas.
j. Guiteau, and make az allowance therefor
not exceeding $1,000. Referred.
Debate was then resumed on the naval bill.
Senator Davis w. Va.) of the appropria-
ton committee, urged that the bill be pro-
eeeded with at once and disposed OF item BY
item. A reduction In the item for miscella-
neous pay of the navy under the new arrange
ment was $1S6,525, and similar savings &C.
CURED in other items. Ii the pending motion
prevailed the appropriation committee would
have to draft the bill upon the basis of the
one of last year which appropriated $947, 900
more than the one now pending. He there
fore offered the motion in the interest of
economy.
Senator Plumb salc the controversy was one
between the naval committee and house of rep
resentatiyes in which the appropriation COM
mittee was not directly concerned, as the latter
had merely reported the bill after it had anne
to them from the house. The senate was
asked to look at the question simply with ref
erence to the prohibition of its own rules
against legislation on an appropriation bill
regardless of the fact that such legislation
was permitted under the rules of the house
when it required expenditures. In other
words the senate was not to do certain thing
at all, because it could not do it in certain
way. He called attention to several particu-
lars in which he thoughtthe reformatory pro-
positions Of the bill might be improved. He
would more largely diminish the higher
grades and have more men in lower grades,
while providing more literally for the build
ing of ships. The advocates of the pending
motion did not object to those
propositions because of any dement's in them,
but because 1t was not conventionaAy prop I
to consider them. The logical deduction f ON
their position was that they would prevent
any reform of abuses at this session.
Senator Hawley thought the matter of re-
casting the personnel of the navy ought not to
be entered upon without more deliberate con-
sideration. He suggested the appointment oil
committee TO report upon this SUBJECT at the
next session, and mentioned various particu.
lars in which the service might be improved
such as striking off masters and ensigns by
way OF facilitating promotions. He was nO1
opposed 10 reform, nor 10 any neces
sary reduction of officers, but the ex
traordiHary reduction of the bill in ap
parently reducing the cost of the navy
SO we might complete some old monitors,
was surprise to him. What the country
wanted was not another example of vicious
legislation on an appropriation bill, but the
navy a reformed, not a rotten navy.
After further discussion vote was taken
and Senator Cameron's motion. to recommit
hQ daft tod hyJO TO he
bill then went over without action until to
morrow.
The conference on the japanese indemnity
bill reported a disagreement and new con.
ference was ordered. After an executive ses-
SIGN the senate adjourned.