National Republican., 1884-02-29

light Of fierce public opinion. No country would
ever, in his Judgment, have any bulwark 50 strong,
and defense so reliable as the high personal Guar.
aCler Of It's citizens That, Hiier all, was the great
safeguard against corruption navy, such as me
bill contemplated, was neces airy adjunct ior our
foreign commerce. IL was necessary TO American
commerce and American citizens abroad, that
American vessels should BIZ seen in the haTbors oi
Mr.. Hale then offered rs substitute for the
amendment of MIR. Mcpherson the following;
And said vessels shall b5 designed and con.
structed in all respects in accordance with and
subject to the conditions and provisions Of the
naval appropriation acts OF Aug. D, 1882, and
March Q, 1855 authorizing the construction OF four
Mr.. Mcpherson objected to the offer Of this
amendment Mt this time, aud II went over to be
Mr.. Hawley stated that he, for one, while public
rumOr had teen busy with the probability OF the
appointment of the present secretary Of the navy
had ventured the prophecy that he would prove
one OF the ablest officers on the very illusIrlous
roll Of heads Of that department As to that
prophecy, Mr.. Hawley had now nothing to take
back. The distinguished ability OF the S, cretary
of the navy was well known, and when his duties
were closed his record would compare fayorahly
with that OF any secretary who had ever hlled the
Office. There would always, Mr. Huwley con-
tiuued, be necessity for II navy. IL had been
war wanted to tisht nobody. but If there was any
truth in history, no human Uelng could tell how
long amicable relations would mold among ma,
uonS. The millennium had not yet arrived, and
a sense of justice did not always govern nations.
Whatever the prospect might be- no people aspir-
Ing 70 high place among nations could Ge WITH;
out that sanction Of force which was behind all
law. lie would spare the senate and himself the
humiliation OF dwelling ON the state Of our navy.
There was not u government in the world that
did not know to gun aud to u ton just how weak
we were. AS to the differences OF opinion with
regard to styles of construction, those differences,
Mr. Hawley said, were not exceptional with the
navy. They existed in all pursuits. There were
differences among experts rs to the best form ana
size OF guns, the character and composition of
powder and the forms Of projectilcs. There we're
differences even as to the best shape for small
boats and racing shells. What, then, were we 70
dot We could but select the best men we could
find, and take from them their best judgment
After further debate n vote was taken on Mr'
McPhorson's first amendment, reducing the
number of proposed ship from seven to four. and
the amendment was deleated-yeas IL nays 81.
The question recurring on Mr.. McPhorson' 8
second ameudment,which provided the conditions
under which the contracts should be made, Mr..
Hale offered the amendment above set forth.
Mr. Sewell offered US n substitute for both, the
amendment OF which he gave notice yesterday,
providing that tho vessels be built at one or more
Of the government navy yards.
There was no reason, Mr.. Sewell said, why the
navy yards should not be put in n condition TO
build these ships. II could be done ut Compara-
lively small expense The government should be
In position to control such work, and should not
be at the mercy OF private contractors. He was In
favor of the bill whether the ships were to be
private establishments. A navy was indispensa.
bic to American interests. There would soon Oe a
canal connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific
ocean, and he for one was of opinion that the
| American people should see to it that no foreign
power should be permitted 10 control the means
| of communication between thOsn two oceans.
The chair stated that the substitute was not at
| this time in order.
Mr.. Morgan xpressed himself as glad that the
gentleman from New Jersey Mr.. Sc ELL had pro I.
| posed such an amendment. Whether we could
build ships at our navy yards or not, we ought to
put those yards in q condition to build srps, Mr.
Morgan had information that for Il comparatively
small additional outlay the yards could be put In
| that condition. No evidence had been brought to
the senate that 1t could not be done. Some of the
best and most expensive machinery In the coun;
try could be found in the navy yards, aud itwould
| be economy to thoroughly equip one ward, If no
more, only for the sake ofgens fair bids for this
| class of work.
| A vote was then taken on the amendment Of Mr..
| Hale to the amendment Of Mr.. McPherSon, and
| Mr. Hale's amendment was agreed to.
| The question recurring on Mr.. McPheTson's
amendment as so amended, it was agreed TO.
Mr.. Sewell then presented his substitute
| Mr.. JOne5, of Florida, offered an amendment to
1t, providing that the construction OF the vessels
should be apportioned between the different navy
| yards of the country.
Pending debate ON this amendment, the senate,
on motion of Mr., Brown. Mt 4 go p. m, went into
executive session. and when the doors were res
/ oDeued adjourned.