The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-06
THE HOUSE.
Debate ON the Naval Appropriation Bill
Other Proceedings

Debate on the Naval Appropriation Bill
Other Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-On motion Of Mr..
Blanchard a bill was passed making an appro
priation of So, 100 to supply the deficiency in the
amount required for the expenditures to aseer
tain the depths of water and the width Of chan
mel in the South passin the Mississippi river and
to gauge the waters in the Mississippi river and
tributaries.
The committee appropriations reported
back the Senate joint resolution for addi-
tional 900 to the contingent fund of the
Senate for witness fees in the Danville investi
cation, with amendment that the sim shall
only be available for expenses in investigations
heretofore ordered The amendment was
adopted and the Joint resolution passed
Mr.. Ellis from the same committee, reported
back adversely the resolution for the relief of
sufferers by the overflow of the lower Mississip
pi valley and by the cyclone in North Carolina.
Laid on the table. Also, favorably, resolution
requesting the Secretary of War to furnish the
House from time to time with information of
the progress of the floods in the valley of the
Mississippi, and report if at any time, in his
Judgment there exists such suffering as to justi
fy a measure of relief on the part of Congress.
Adopted
Mr.. Robertson, of Kentucky, from the com
Inittee on elections, reported resolution I'M
seating 7. Luna, delegate from New Mexico,
and seatingin his place F. A. Manzanares, Demo
GRAFT.
Msnzanares appeared at the bar of the House
and took the OATH
Mr.. Lewis from the committee on public
lands, reported the bill to repeal section % of the
act Incorporating the Texas Pacific Railroad
Company, and to declare the forfeiture of the
land grant therein made. Placed the House
calendar. The grant forfeited by this bill is
that to the New Orleans, Baton Rouge g. Vicks
burg Railroad Company.
Mr. Dunn, from the committee on commerce,
reported bill providing for the removal of OBJ
structioIs TO the free navigation of navigable
waters of the United States Referred to the
committee of the whole.
Mr.. Collins, from the committee on judiciary.
reported bill to establish uniform system of
bankruptcy throughout the United States Re
ferred to the committee of the whole.
The House then went into committee of the
whole Mr.. Traverse in the ehairl on the naval
appropriation bill, the pending amendment being
that offered by Mr. MeMilfn reducing the num-
Der of captains TO thirty, the number of COM
manders to fifty, and providing that no more
the numbers are reduced below the numbers
mentioned.
Mr. McMillin's amendment was lost
Mr. Calkins moved to strike out the provision
prohibiting promotions in various grades until
such grades shall be reduced to the numbers
fixed by the naval act of 1882 and the amend
ment adopted yesterday, reducing the staff corps.
Agreed to-88 to So.
Mr. Bedford moved to increase to $50, OO0 900
the appropriation for emergencies and extraor
binary expenses. Bismarck, the Vizer of Ger
many had sent an insulting message, and in the
very face of if the majority of the House de-
elared if Germany made America it
would protect its honor with the magnificent
sum of $4,000 He then paid his respects to
Mr.. Randall, asserting that since the election in
Philadelphia that gentleman was as dead as Lag
arus, with Christ in sight to resurrect him.
Mr. Cox, of New York. sent to the Clerks desk
and had read newspaper extract as explaining
the manner in which Mr.. Bedford had contrasted
his dramatic manner of speaking, and good
deal of amusement was created as the Clerk read
the jocular account Of that gentemans crit
cisms on Mrs Langtry, and exaggerated de
SefiptiOn of his own personal appearance.
The amendment was withdrawn.
On motion of Mr. Randall an amendment was
adopted providing that the amount appropriated
by paragraphs shall be apportioned in monthly
installments, and the apportionment shall be
adhered to unless in some emergency.
Mr.. Calkins raised point of order against the
paragraphs reappropriating for the of the
Bureau of Steam Engineering the unexpended
balance of the appropriation of one million
(about t$17O OOO) made by the last naval bill for
eneines and machinery for double-turreted
monitors
Mir Glasscock supported the point of order
and pictured the defenseess condition of the
Pacific coast The policy the House was pur-
suing in refusing to finish the iron-cads was
bad. While he beaTed in economy and reform,
he did not believe in that economy or reform
fenseiess condition.
The Chair having overruled the point of order
Mr.. Budd moved TO strike out the paragraph.
He declared the defenses of the Pacific coast
were insufficient to keepouta second-class vessel
Of war; and that it was not economy but an out
rage to prevent the construction of the 'Monad
mock What was wanted was vessel to pro-
tect the Pacific coast
Mr. Sumner also bore testimony to the de-
fenseless condition of the Pacific coast. There
was a little brick wall on Fort Point which
would be but moments amusement to any
small boats that could be sent up from Chill.
There was natural defense on Alcatraz island,
but, as an illustration of its uselessness in time
Of emergency, he stated that on the 4th of July
from this island guns were fred for six hours at
a barge 400 yards distant. and finally man
had to be sent out with hand torpedo to blow
it up. The motion was lost
The amendment offered by Mr.. Calkns unit
ing under one head the bureaus of steam engin
eering, and construction and repair was re-
jeeted. The COMMITTEES then rose.
Mr. Tulley. from the committee on public
ands, reported hill FORGETTING the Ontanogon
and Brute river land grants. Placed on the
House calendar. Adjourned
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