Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-22
House.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-Buckner, of Mis-
souri,, introduced bill amending the act
authorizing the construction of bridge
across the Missouri river near st. Charles,
Mo-, SO as to provide that no higher charge
shall be made for transportation of mails
and army supplies across the bridge than
is made upon the railway lines running
thereto. Referred.
After the passage of two private bills
the house in committee of the whole re-
sumed consideration Of the naval appro
priation bill.
Mr.. Calkins objected to the bill in its
present shape. During the course OF his
remarks he said he was tired as any
American of seeing his country snubbed,
laughed at and derided by other nations
on account of its weak navy.
Mr.. Whitthorne regarded the bill as one
of the most important ever submitted in
regard to the naval service. II proposed
reform, and large expenditure for the
navy was lamentable and defenseless. He
c0ncurred IN the views of Mr.. Calkins,
that the legislation should not have been
inserted by the appropriations committee,
but the naval committee should attend to
these matters. He attacked the retire
ment clause. andYarious other provisions.
The bill seemed to appropriate $15,00O,000,
but really appropriated over $23,00O,OO0.
and the next congress must appropriate
the deficiency. He mentioned the ap-
preparation of $450,00O for the completion
of one monitor by contract, and to the
provision that no contract should be en-
tered into for the completion of any of
these vessels, till the terms thereof were
approved by board as being the best for
the government, at total cost not exceed
idg the amounts estimated by the advisory
board. He believed this clause intended
to confer authority on the secretary of the
navy to complete these monitors at cost
of $4,OO0,O90 to $6,000,000. Mr.. Hiscock
said it was intended to complete only one,
and he would allow an amendment which
would make the meaning unmistakable.
Mr.. Whitthorne said ne was satisfied
with that.
M. Harris, of Massachusetts, asked if
Mr.. Whitthorne was ready now to vote The
full amount necessary to complete the YES
sells.
Mr.. Whitthorne said yes.
Mr.. Thomas, of Illinois, a member of
the naval committee, commented on the
indifference of the house to reports of the
committee upon reconstructlng the navy.
Reviewing the weakness of the navy, Mr..
Thomas concluded: The United States is
possessed of only thirty-eight seaworthy
vessels. many of them time
worn and redoubtable only
in time of peace. He therefore thought
an adequate appropriation should be
made for completing new and adequate
vessels. If the committee on appropria-
tons had not usurped the rights of the
naval committee, Mr.. Hiscock would
not have been induced to interrupt him, as
he had just done, to ask how the top-heavi
ness of the navy should be remedied A
long list of useless officers who incumber
the naval register should be excised, whether
ships were built or not. He commended
the committee for abolishing the rank of
commander.
Mr.. Knott held that the officers now in
the pay of the government only understood
their duties theoretically, and had too
much rank and dignity to be of any use.
If some indiscreet secretary of the navy
should order the chief engineer, pay 6i-
rector, and medical inspector for duty or
ship, the vessel would inevitably sink.
There was not a craft afoat which coud
sustain so much official rank
and dignity. He gave notice Of
amendments he would offer looking to-
ward the duties of marine corps officers
being performed by line officers; towards
the gradual abolition of the pay corps and
reduction of the engineer corps. lie op-
posed various provisions of the bill
J. D. Taylor. of Ohio, gave notice thai
on Fe5. s. as ? o'cioes p. II he
would ask the house 10 take q splta0ie az
ton relative 20 the death Of his pEeeecas-
sor. J. T. Updegraf. The senate tiisa ad-
iourned.