National Republican., 1883-01-24
in tho line, which was fixed by tho act of Aug.


8, 1889.
Mr.. Bragg, Of Wisconsin, suggested that the
amendment was offered merely TO cover up q
wrong decision Of the chair which had been
sustained by the republican side of the house
under the leadership of tho gentleman from
New Jersey (NIr. Robeson).
Mr.. Robeson said that the decision of the
chair was perfectly correct, but that there
wero some minds so constituted that they
could never sec anything correct in the iudg-
ment of others. When he offered the pending
amendment he did so for the purpose of re-
ducing expenditures and enlightcning the
comprehension Of gentlemen who were not
dull, but did not desire TO understand
Mr., Bragg said that he had no doubt that
ho was addressing himself to minds upon
which reason would produce but little effect (;
still he deemed it his duty to
OPPOSE THE ENTIRE PENDING PROVISION.
Men who had lived u long life as they
found themselves upon their death-beds gem
orally showed some signs of repentance for
the sins which they had committed. Before
the republican party had come into power in
the house on its last tenure day by day and
night by night it had read the democrats
lessons on the impropricty and revolutionary
tendency of legislation on appropriation bills
He had hoped that as that party was now ap-
preaching its exit from power it would prac-
ticed what 1t had preached when out of
power. He had hoped that the appropriations
committee would cease to attempt to absorb
the power of all the other committees, and
that this tinkering on general appropriation
bills would be stopped. 1t seemed rs If when
gentleman got on the appropriation commit
tee and had feeling against any particular
portion of either the army or navy establish
ments, he could hit wherever he pleased.
Mr.. Hiscock said that to so much of the
gentlemans remarks as were in the nature of
n lpptItrp In nnt mi Tbp n ND
downs of politics were always very likely in
the end TO make all things even, and he would
trust TO the future to make proper response to
the gentleman's criticism. The only effect of
the proviso was to reduce the line moro speed
lily to the limits fixed by the law of last year.
Mr.. Bragg asked the gentleman from New
YORK to point to the rule which gave the
committee on appropriations the right to
absorb the business of all other committees.
Mr.. Hiscock replied that he would point to
the rule which had come from democratic
congress, and which said that all legislation
was competent upon appropriation bills, pro-
vided it was in the interest of economy.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, favored the retire.
ment provision of the bill. He had as much
pride in the fame of the navy as any other
American citizen, but he did not wish to SEQ
barnacles fasten themselves on the naval es-
tablishmont.
Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, defended the gem
eral principle of legislation on appropriation
bills, and Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana, suggested
that upon that principle the house would con-
sist of the speaker and the appropriation COM
mittee.
Mr. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, offered an
amendment providing that the provision of
the retirement clause shall not apply to Off
GERS of the navy who served in the late civil
war. lie thought that even If tho navy were
topheavy, the axes should not fall upon Off
pnt ynp so1lo M tha lut
Mr.. Robson spoke in favor of the retire.
ment clause, and said that the question was
whether the navy should be composed of re-
spectacle old deadheads or of active and en-
ergetic men.
Messrs. Robson and Curtn's amendments
were both adopted, but the whole retirement
clause, rs amended, was on motion of Mr..
Calkins, of Indiana, stricken from the Dill
without division.
The section being reached
PROHIBITING PROMOTIONS
to any grade until such grade shall be reduced
from the numbers fixed by the provisions OF
the act of Aug. g. 1882.
Mr.. Calkins offered the following amend
ment as n substitute, and it was adopted:
That hereafter all vacancies which shall occur
In the various grades of the line aud staff of the
navy shall he filled by promotion as follows: For
every two vacancies there shall be one promotion
IN each of the lower grades until such grades
shall TO reduced below the number liked by the
provisions of the act of Aug. 8, 1882.
Mr.. Calkins raised n point Of order against
the provision for promotion by selection to
the grade Of rear admiral The point was
sustained, and the provision stricken out.
Ho then moved to strike out the provision
that all promotions to the grade of rear admiral
shall be made from the grade of commodore
and captain, and abolish the grade of COM
modore. Lost
Mr. Knott, of kentucky, offered an amend
Il g1,nn
made according to seniority. Adopted.
Mr.. Talbot, of Maryland, offered an amend
ment requesting the President to select from
the army and navy five officers to constitute a
board for the purpose of examining and report
ing to congress which of the navy yards or
arsenals is best adapted to establish govern
ment foundry for the manufacture of
GUNS ADAPTED TO MODERN WARFARE,
together with an estimate of the cost of a
steam hammer of strength sufficient to
manufacture guns Of tho large calibers.
Adopted.
The appropriation of 100000 for the pur-
chase and manufacture of automobile torpe-
does having been reached, Mr. Harris, of Mas
sachusetts, offered an amendment that they
should be of American manufacture.
Mr.. Iarris's amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Harris then moved to strike out the
clause as amended and insert u clause ap-
propriating 100000 for the purchase or man
ufacturc, after examination of torpedoes, the
invention of citizens of the United States,
provided that $4,000 of this sum shall be paid
to Asa Weeks when he shall execute and de-
liver to the United Statesa release in writing
all claim for the present or future use of
all his inventions in torpedOes.
Mr. Harris, of Massachusetts, and Mr.. Whit
thome, OF Tennessee, bore testimony to the
superiority of the torpedoes of Asa Weeks ;
after which Mr.. Harriss amendment was
adopted.
Mr.. Ellis, of Louisiana, offered an amend
ment authorizing the secretary of the navy in
his discretion to constitute and introduce as
part of the equipment of the navy the life
saving dress adopted by the life saving SER
vice. Adopted
After completing the consideration of four
teen of the twenty-siX pages Of the bill the
committee rose.
Mr.. McI4ane, of Maryland, presented pc
titiOn of employees of ii. w. Elliott & Son,
founders, against any decrease in rates of
duties as proposed by the tariff commission,
and favoring an increase of duty on tin plates,
steel blooms, pig iron and cotton ties. Re-
ferred.
The house then, at $3.50, adjourned
EAST WASHINGTON.
The Neighbors met last evening at Mrs.
Berrys, No. $50 New Jersey avenue south
east, The spacious parlors were well filed
with members of the club. Mr.. ID. w.
Stevens read an able article ON "The Ways of
Living in Japan" Among those present were
Judge Lander, Rev. William Il. Parson, Lieut..
George Peters, the Misses Mcigs, Miss Minnie
Brown, Misses Cowperthwate, Mr.. Taylor
and Mrs, McCartey.