National Republican., 1883-01-25


so as to specify the "Mlonadnock !" as the |
tor which shall be completed,
Mr., Berry and Mr.. Rosecrans dwelt upon |
the necessity of securing some protection for |
the Pacific coast which was now defonscless |
against the attacks of any foreign power. The |
amendment was lost.
Mr.. Blount moved to strike out the entire
paragraph. 1t involved the completion of all
Of these ironclads whose construction had be-
gun under the direction of the secretary Of
the navy in 1877, in violation of what he (Mr.
Blount) deemed to be law. II was not in the
power Of any secretary of the navy TO con-
struct vessels without authority of law.
Mr.. Robson said that he hardly deemed it
necessary to argue the legality of the contracts
which he made when secretary of the navy
He had long passed that, and, resting upon the
opinion of the attorney general and his own
Judgment on the subject, he was willing to
leave the strict question of legality to the diff
fering opinions Of gentlemen. All he could
say was that the contracts were made without
committing the government TO dollar OF
expenditure; all that he cared about them
was that they should be found TO be honest
and fair and for tho interest of the govern
ment. Six different boards had reported on
them and all had found them fair, reasonable,
and cheap to the government. If the Puritan
were completed she could be sent to the har-
bors of South America TO enforce whatever
affirmative policy the United States should
undertake TO assume. With $150000000 in
the treasury congress should not refuse to ap-
propriate $450,000 for national defense.
Mr. Speer said that, admitting for the sake
of argument, that the secretary of the navy
had no right to make tho contracts, such a
statement was proftless now, so far as the
government was concerned. The contracts
had been made and the hulls completed,
and he was in favor of taking tho opinion of
the naval advisory board on tho proprioty of
nttinp thpm with 0iu ia md machinery.
Mr.. Whitthorne said that IL had been
claimed that various boards had indOrsed the
| monitors. He entered denial to that state
ment, and declared that overy board called to
examine them had stated that they needed
essential notifications. They had proceeded
on the idea that, having expended so much
money on the monitors, il was for tho interest
| of the government to go forward and COM
| plete them. He criticised the selection of tho
present advisory board, affirming that it was
unfortunate that the secretary of the navy
should have chosen as its president the only
living man who, during the investigation of
tho Navy department. had maintained that
there was a navy. 1t was unfortunate that
| he should have selected as the engineer officer
Chief Engineer Henderson, the man who,
from time to time, had been appointed on the
board which condemned the material of the
iron-cads. 1t was unfortunate that he had
| selected Constructor Fernald, who was an
/
tracts were entered into.
Mr. Blount's motion to strike out was lost
| Sc to 91.
The monitor clause, as agreed to, is as fol-
| lows:
10 be applied by the Fecretary Of tho navy un-
| der the appropriate bureaus for completing in
| accordance with the recommendations OF the
naval advisory boards the engines aud machinery
of the double -turreted ironclad which said board
| may advise to be first completed in the govern
ment navy yards under the direction OF The Navy
| department, by officers and employees of the gov
ernment, aud not by contractors, provided he can
do the work of the same quality in the navy
yards as cheaply and thoroughly and with MS
much advantage to the governments and pro-
vided If he shall not decide do this work in tho
navy yards of the United States he shall then In
vite proposals from all American shpbuilders
| whose shipyards are fully equipped for repairing
or building iron or steel ships, and from construc.
tors Of engines, boilers and machinery, and shall
build the same by new contract or otherwise, as
the secretary may think best for the interests of
the government, Si50,00O; but the execution
of no contract shall be entered upon for the COM
potion Of either of these vessels until the terms
thereof shall be approved by the advisory board,
who shall approve only such contracts as may bo
to the best advantage Of the government and fair
similar work, from resbnsi6le Ei' and competent
bidders, and at total cost not to exceed the
amounts estimated by the advisory board in its
full report, required by the uct Of Aug b, 1882
and the secretary Of the navy shall take posses
thinks best, remove the same to the government
nuvy yards; and he shall ascertain the mounts
orally for the use and occupation of their yards
with said ships, aud for the care thereof, and re-
port the Same to congress, with all the facts in
connection Herewith.
Mr.. Blount raised point of order upon the
provision for tho construction of new steel
cruisers but the point was overruled by the
chair.
Mr.. Harris, under direction Of the naval
committee offered an amendment in the na'
ture of n substitute appropriating S2,300,OOO
for one steel cruiser of not less than 5000 OF
more than 6,000 tons displacement; $1,352, ,00C
for one Of not less than 1000 tons displace
ment $2,5S7, 800 for three of not less than
$500 tons displacement Si30,000 for n dis
patch boat having an average speed OF not
less than 15 knots per hour; $3S,O00 for tor
pedo boat not less than 100 feet long, and
81, ,16l 900 for the manufacture Of guns for the
armament of these vessels.
, Mr.. Harris said that the amendment me-
, the issue fairly in the face without lodging
1t was the wisdom of congress to come up 4
the great issue, recognize the fact that thu
country had no navy, and dare to vote an ap
preparation necessary to build one. The com
mitteo on appropriations had said that tn,
people had not signified their desire to have
, navy. If unpleasant controversies about per
sonal affairs were eliminated, IL would b.
found that the people had expressed such
desire. 1t was a disgrace and shame to th
, country that it had no navy. Though TIN
, appropriation proposed by the amendmeu
was large the committee on naval affairs dc
e sired to place the sum in connection with th
authority to build the ship. He criticised tn
! bill for appropriating the pitiful sum o
100000 for guns. To do what2 In the fac
of the fact that the country was defenseles
and armless on the sea as well as on the land
: it was proposed to appropriate 100000 to al
+ low the bureau of ordnance to learn the ar
T of gun making at the Washington nav,
: yard. 1t was proposed to allow u line officer
not educated in that art, to find out how L
. make cannon. He did not wish longer l.
. grope in this way of building up navy. Iii
I committee believed that the time had COM
I when ships should be put on the ocean in de
\ fense of the country's flag and the country
/ honor. To-day il had not II cruiser on tn
western coast, and if little war should sprin
q up between the United States and one Of tn
4 minor powers of South America during tn
n first few weeks of the war our humiliation
;. would be simply terrible. San Francsc
i could be put under contribution in u singl
: day for five times the sum proposed to be ap
r propriated by his amendment. On the sub
4 iect of building up Il navy his committee wa
# not divided by party lines and gentlemen
f representing both parties had pledged them
a selves to the consideration ofthe stern demand
{ of the country.
a Mr.. Atkins thought that the remarks of tn
j. gentleman from Massachusetts, were rather
n criticism on the government authorities
s There had been spent since the war 100000
}. 900 on the American navy, and 1t was u con
a montary on the government for the gentle
n man TO make such pitc0us appeals in behal
q | nf his amendment Something besides In