National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-07
THE HOUSE.

The speaker announced the appointment of Mr.
Manzanares, OF New Mexico, upon the committee
on coinage. weights, and measures.
The morning hour having been dispensed with
the house won't into committee OF the whole (Mr
Converse. OF Ohio, in the chair on the naval ap.
preparation bill
Mr.. Thomas, of Illinois, offered an amendment
to the clause providing for the competition of the
full sail power.
Under the two thirds sail power which had
been decided upon by the advisory board the
vessels could not move three miles an hour under
sail b eiore fresh breeze.
Mr.. Hutchns, while believing that the cruisers
should have full sail power, considered II unad-
yisaole for the government to interfere with con.
tracts already made.
Mr., Thomas said that no contract had been en-.
tered into in regard to the rigging and expressed
his opinion that the vessels, when completed,
would be found to have but one fourth, instea OF
two-thrds, sail power. The amendment Was lost.
Mr.. Skinner offered an amendment providing
that the four pivot guns of the Chicago shall be
mounted on Ciark's defective single guu turreis
Mr.. Hutchins offered an amendment to the
amendment, providing that it shall not change
the construction o. that vessel.
Both amendments were agreed to.
Mr.. DorSheimer offered an amendment appro-
pTintng $4,000 to complete the ordnance Of tho
new cruisers He commended that the cruisers
when completed would 'e superior to vessels OF
the same class bel! nging to any nation In the
world. Vessels Of this description should not be
compared with armored vessels. Fault was not
used against Notifications, lronCads were the
Notifications OF naval warfare. Tho Chicago
fought with the resolution characteristic of our
competitor to any ship. He did no. bslieys In
sending an unarmed ship to sea. The most
inefficient part OF the ,o navy WYE was in the
guns were the weakest part of them, aud III.
country should trust no mute, !nglOn0us friggte
the sea. This question OF reconBtructng the navy
which gefiOusly considered nv thu
people. There was not house In his district that
was not within reach Of the guns Of a hostile slip
lying in the open sea, Off C0ney Island.
The people would be glad TO see spirit of en-
Couragement TO the navy animating congress
He was prepared acting on his responsibility, Ia
vote for the armament of the cruisers and for the
construction Of the additional vessels provided
for In the bill passed Ivy the senate. He hoped
that the house would no longer permit the navy
to remain in u state OF hepessness, wnieh might
be satisfactory to those who preferred Chinese
policy, but not ut al satisfactory 10 brave and
intelligent people lApplause,
Mr.. Bedford made humorous speech lin re-
spouse 70 some remarks made on Tuesday by Mr.
Cox, of New York;, in which he accused the dem
ocr0tlc party OF being economical FOR Tie purpose
only Of retaining In the treasury sloOOOO,OOO fol
the benefit of bondholders in New York, In Gon'
oluslon, he expressed his opinion If the demo.
cratic party in the exclamation, "ohl shame and
hypocrisy, thy name is democracy"
oiLrodigality, and In the end the people, thank
God, would stand ly II because 1t was honest,
M, ColuWel held thal II the navy was IN a con
dtion OF imbocility the responsibility belonged &c
the republican party, aud stated his intention ri
voting for the amendment OF Mr.. porsheimer # Il
was not shown that " was not needed for the pur
pose of armament.
Mr.. Reed Endorsed the sentiments expressed by
MIR. DOrsheimer but warned that gentleman thai
the stAtesmanshtp which he HAD exhibited would
not meet the appreciation of his party associates.
Mr.. Henley reflected severely OF the present
secretary of the navy for instigating, as he be.
lleyed, the methods by which the employees at Ia,
Mare Island navy yard were compelled TO vote til,
republican ticket IL the last election.
MIR. Reed Inquired whether any had been muir