The Indianapolis journal., 1883-01-22
THE HOUSE.
The st. Charles Bridge-The Naval Appro
priAtion Bill

priAtion Bill.
WASHINGTON, Jan 20.-Mr. Buckner, Of Mis-
souri,, introduced bill amending an act author
izng the construction of bridge across the
Missouri river, near st. Charles, Mo-, so as te
provide no higher charges shall be made for the
transportation of mails and army supplies acres,
the bridge than is made upon railway lines run
ming thereto. Referred.
After the passage of two private bills, tn,
House commit tee of the whole resumed consiS,
Grafton of the naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. Calkins objected to the bill in its presen
shape. During the course of his remarks ht
said he was tired, as an American, of seeing HI,
country snubbed, laughed at and derded b.
other nations on account of its weak navy.
Mr.. Whittnorne regarded the bill as one of the
most important ever submitted in regard to tbs
naval service. 1t proposed a reform and large
expenditure. The navy was lamentably defense
less. He cOneurred in the views of Mr. Calkins
that legislation should not have beer
inserted by the appropriation committee, bu
the naval committee should attend to these mat
ters. He attacked the retirement clause and IA
rious other provisions The bill seemed to an
propriate S15,000000, but really appropriate
over $23, ,00O,000, and the next Congress mus
appropriate the deficiency. He mentioned the
appropriation OF $450,000 for the completion OF
one monitor by contract, and to the provision
that no contract shall be entered into for tbs
completion of any of these vessels till the terms
thereof approved by board as being the
ceeding the amount estimated by the advisory
board. He believed that this clause intended tt
confer authority on the Secretary OF the Navy to
complete these monitors AT a cost of S4,000,00C
to sc, ,000, 900.
Mr.. Hiscock said it was intended to complete
only one, and he would allow an amendment
which woud make the meaning unmistakable.
Mr.. Whitthorne said he was satisfied with
that.
Mr. Harris, Of Massachusetts, asked II Mr.
Whitthorne was ready now to vote the ful
amount necessary to complete the vessels.
Mr.. Whlttho rne said yes.
Mr.. Thomas, OF Illinois, a member of the naval
committee, commented on the Indifference OF
the House TO the reports of the committee upon
reconstrncting the navy. Reviewing the weak
ness of the navy, Mr. Thomas concluded that the
United States possessed only forty-eght
worthy vessels, many of them time-worn and
redoubtable only in time of peace. He therefore
thought adequate appropriations should be
made for completing new and adequate vessels
If the committee on appropriations had moi
usurped the rights OF the naval committee, Mr.
Hiscock would not have been obliged to inter
rupt him, as he had just done, to ask how tho
top-heaviness of the navy should be remeded
The long list of useles officers who encnmber
the navy register should be cut down, whether
the ships are built or not He commended the
commiJtee for abolishlng the rank of commo
dore
Mr.. Knott held that officers now in the pay o.
the government only understood their dutiel
theoretically, and had too much rank and dig
nifty to be of any use. II some indiscreet Secre.
tary of the Navy should order the chief eng gineer
pay director and a medical inspector for duty
There Is not craft afl0at which could sustain
so much official rank and dignity. He gave no
tlce of amendments ne would offer looking to-
ward the duties of marine corps officers being
performed by line officers, toward the gradual
abolition of the pay corps and The reduction OF
the engineer corps. He opposed the various
provisions of the bill.
Mr.. Harris said the bill he had perfected with
so much labor in the naval committee wOulC
never be reached on the calendar. He com
planned of the rules of the House, which allow
the appropriation committee To crush out ali
other committees
Mr.. DesendOrf in favor cf placing the
navy in position to command the respect of IT.
enemies.
The committee then rose. and general debate
was then limited to one hour on Monday next
Mr.. Taylor OF Ohio, gave notice that on Feb.
6, at 2 p. NJ he would ask the House to take
suitable action relative to the death Of his pre-.
decessor, j, Il. Updegraff Adjourned.