The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-07-06
CONGRESS-.
HOUSE.

resumed the naval appropriation bill.
Discussion arose as to the reduction by
a quarter of million dollars of the amount
appropriated, with view of improving
the navy. Robeson strongly opposed.
Ellis declared himself heartily in favor of
reconstructing the navy, for sooner OF
later the Irish question would enter into
American politics, and might lead to com
plications with England. Mexico would
before long find that she was peaceably
subjugated by the United States. Then
would come recoil and revolt and the
United States might be called on to de
fend the interests and property of Ameri-
cans in Mexico. He referred to the insults
of Chill.
Atkins amendment to reduce the appro-
priation quarter oSa million was reject
ed, and Harris amendment, that any por-
ton of the one and threefourths million
not required for purposes specified may be
used in the construction of two new cruis-
ers. Adopted to Z.
In considering the appropriation for
bureau steam engineering Whitman at
tackled Robeson's management of the
navy. Robeson responded, and urged the
defeat of the amendment to strike out the
proviso applying to the million dollars to
monitors The Meantonough and Monad-
neck would be enough to protect the har
Dor at San Francisco, with Conanche al
ready there. The amendment was rejected
-6S to 40
Hewitt moved the work be awarded to
the lowest responsible bidders.
Robson opposed it, as allowing any
bummers like the Mackays to come in and
bid.
Springer, of Illinois. called attention to
an alleged contract between a Philadel-
phia firm, w Cramp & Sons, which has
work for one monitor, and VIM. Flalack,
by which the the latter was to get 5 per
cent: for influencing congressional and
executive favorable action on the subject.
Kelly, of Pennsylvania, denounced
Flalack as an imposter and eulogized the
firm as one which had honored the whole
country by skill in naval architecture
The contract which Cramp supposed he
was putting his name to was a copy of one
which was signed by sixteen or seventeen
others giving this man commission for OBJ
tanning business in South America
Springer HE did put his name to that
paper"
Kelly-''He says he has no recollection
of any feature of that payer; do you be-
lieve Flalack"
Springer-"He is one of your constitu-
ents. know nothing about him."
Kelly-'The penitentiary is in my dis
trict and in my judgment there are better
men in it than F1alack that he is a perjur-
ed scoundrel upon whom you rely to blast
the fame Of honest men,"
Springer-"I rely on nothing but the
fact that this firm did pay this man 81 900
on that very contract"
Kelly-''It paid him 81 900 on account
of his expenses in gong to South Amer
ica."
Springer Il am not here to endorse this
man. I denounce him and his contract and
all who had anything to do with it.
After IuEIn6T ulSCISSIOu tuc 11CWllt
amendment was rejected 45 to 76.
Holman, of Indiana, offered an amend
ment providing for letting work on
the monitors by contracts after adver-
tisement to the lowest bidder. In
the course Of the discussion Springer had
read an article from the New York San
relating the circumstances in connection
with the Cramp- Flalack contract.
Hammer having fallen before the reading
was concluded, Springer asked to have the
whole article published on the record.
Some objections were made, but Robson,
with contempt, said, DO not object. Let
him publish the whole of the New York
Sun if ne chooses" Permission was then
given.
After discussion Holman's amendment
was rejected by vote of fifty to eighty
four.
Holman then offered an amendment pro
hibiting the use of any money appropriat-
ed in the bill for political purposes or be-
ing paid in political assessments
Hiscock made point of order on the
amendment.
Kasson urged in support of the point
and to show that the amendment was
neither genuine. nor proper.
Wilson, of West Virginia, and Bragg, of
Wisconsin, argued against the point of
order and advocated that the amendment
was proper one.
The chair sustained the point and de-
elined to entertain the amendment to the
previous question; and without discussion
of any amendments the house adjourned.
SENATE.
The bill for the relief of Ben Halliday