National Republican., 1884-03-06

MT, HlScOck offered an nmendment W tno
amendm providing that the reduction may DC
made by voluntary retirement, and the Or1ceIb SO
felired shall receive tue same pay on the re,lreu
list us do officers OF the staff with whom they nave
hsSmilated rank Lost.
Mr. McMilin's amendment was lost.
MIR, Ctlkins moved to strike out the provision
proh ibiting promotions in the various grades ~
the line and safofthe navyuntil such grades shall
be reduced TO the numbers fixed by the naval act
oi iSS2. and the amendment ssdoptsaa tuesday
Mr.. Thomas offered an amendment providing
that he secretary OF the navy shall convene q
board of FIVE officers of high rank, not less than
captains, to investigate the present retired list OF
the navy, and that all officers found on that list,
who % have been placed there i9r reasons IS other
ing reached the age OF o. years, shall be stricken
thereirom.
ing that the retired list ought tU be weeded out.
At least onethrd OF the officers the retired list
were not there on account OF having reached the
nge of G2 years, or on account of having received
injuries in action. but because by not attending to
their duties, or by contracting habits Of tntem.
peranco or other bad habits they had not rem
dered themselves worthy Of promotion.
Mr.. Boutelle said that the pnrpoItcd object of
the various measure, introduced by the appro-
priatiOn committee had been for the building up
Of the naval service. Ho had been surprised,
however, to find that nerrly every proposition
brought in had hcen devoted to striking blow at
the object of this legislation was 70 tear down and
destroy instead of building UP the navy. The
opinion seemed to prevail that congress
could strike from the list Of oifcers
the men who have been educated in peace and
war, and then, when the time came that they
were needed, contract for them as II could con
tract Tor ships aud guns. lt was not proceeding
decently and in order for the American congress
10 un dertake u roorganize the American navy by
cut ing down II swathes men who had served
tho country in the hour OF danger. He entered
the protest against the degradation Of the men
who deserved reward instead of degradation. He
was here asking for justice to the gallant officers
OF the line aud staff who stood by their posts.
whether OH the gun deck or in the engine room,
when n navy meant something more than Two
logs with flag floating over them.
The amendment was lost
=. Mr.. Warner offered an amendment providing
that TIE total number Of officers shall not be in
creased above the present number until there are
at least live seamen and enlisted men 70 each OH
GER He expressed his concurrence In the opinion
that the United States should have more ships and
more seamen, but announced his opposition to the
policy OF attempting to make it a great naval
power. Its position on the globe did not require it,
He wished an increase in the relative number OF
seamen to officers, and contrasted the proportion
with that of one officer to three men in tho navy
of the United States.
The amendment was rejected. ..
Mr.. Beliord moved TO increase to 500 100000 the
appropriation for emergencies and extraordinary
expenses, and made one Of his characteristic
speeches, crticising the democratic party for mp
proprtatng for these ''emergcncies' the magntt'
cent sum of $4,000 Bismarck, the vizler of Ger
many, had sent an insulting message. and in the
very lace Of II the majority of the house declared
that II Germany made war on America it would
perpetuae and protect the country's 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 us
dead as Lazarus, with no Christ in sight to
resurrect him.
Mr.. Cox, of New York. sent to the clerks desk
and had read n newspaper extract, as explaining
the manner in which NJ. Beliord had contracted
of amusement was created as the clerk read
jocular account of that gentlemans criticism on
Mrs. Langtry and an exaggerated description Of
his own personal appearance.
Inc amendment was WITHDRAWN,
The paragraph making appropriation for the
bureau of construction and repair having been
reached, Mr.. Calkins moved to amend by striking
out $50" and inserting 80" In the proviso that
part of the appropriation shall be applied TO the
cost of repairs shall exceed 80 per cent. of the ap
praised value OF al new ship of the same size and
like material.
Mr.. Reed, In speaking to the amendment, con-
tended that III the per centum was not decreased,
larger appropriation than was made by the bill
would be required for the repair OF vessels.
Mr.. Hutchins. in reply to statement nude by
Mr.. Reed, declared that the bill appropriated
every dollar that the secretary of the navy recon-
tlemans statement that the democratic party was
opposed TO the completion of the cruisers was
made for effect. It was not true. The democrats s
money would be properly applied
The amendment was lost.
on motion OF Mr.. Randall an amendment was
adopted providing that the amount appropriated
by the paragraph shall be apportioned in monthly
hered to. unless in some emergency.
Mr.. Reed moved TO increase the appropriation
Of 81, 100000 to sl500,00O. Lost
MIR. Calkins raised IA point OF order against the
paragraph reappropriating for the use of the
bureau of steam engineering the unexpended
balance of the appropriation of 100000 about
Sl70,0O0l made by the last naval bill for engines
and machinery of the double-turreted monitors.
Mr. Glaseock supported the point Of order and
pictured the defenseless condition of the Pacific
coast. The policy the house was pursuing IN re-
imsins to finish the ironclads was u bad policy.
While he believed in economy and reform, he did
not believe in tnat economy or reform which left
10000 miles of seacoast in an entirely defenseess
condition.
The chair having overruled the point OF order,
Nr. Budd moved to strike out the paragraph. He
declared that the defenses Of the Pacific coast
were insufficient TO keep out second rate vessel
of war, and that II was not economy but an out
rage to prevent the construction of the Monad-
mock.
completed they would he perfectly useless. ..
Mr.. Reed. Then why not order them broken up
| Mr., Iutchins. Because have not the power.
men s That they he sold.
Mr.. Reed. Then why not take the direct courseP
Nj. Randall. Ii would require legislation
Mr.. Hutchins inquired why Mr. Reed did not
himself offer an amendment Tor the breaking up
of the vessels,
MIR. Budd asked upon what authority the gentle.
man from New York stated that tho vessels would
| be useless
Mr.. Huehins replied by question as to whether
Mr.. Budd knew how thick tile urmor on the monl.
tos was. and receiving negative answer replied
| that II was but seven inches. while the newest
| gus could pierce thiry-twO inches.
| MIR. GluscOclS slaled that the iron armor of the
| MOnadnock was faced with two inches OF steel
| Mr.. Budd TO Mr.. Hutchins). Would that fac,
make the ship useless?
| Mr.. HutchinS. Certainly.
| MIR. Budd. Then what Is the use of building the
| cruisers?
M Hutchins. For the purpose of cruising. They
are not for defense
| Nr. Budd ,uid that while he did not know ex !.
| Rcty the Thickness of the armOr OF the Monad-
| mock, he did know that II would hoAl, and carry
| guns and crew. TINS matter OF pretended econ
| omy was not economy. What was wanted was a
YES e u protect the Pacific coast and Ii the cruS-
ers were built the people If that cOUst would be
| WILING TO risk the seven inches of steel.
Mr.. sumner also bore testimony to tie defense
less condition Of the Pacific coast. There was II
i.:le brick wall on Fort Point which would be but
a moments amusement TO any of the small boats
that could he sent up irOm Chilli There WAS a
natural defense AlCatraZ island but, us an IL
lustrhiOn OF its uselessness in time of emergency
he stated that one Fourth Of July from this island.
guns were fired for six hours at barge 100 yards
distant, and finally man had tO he sent out with
hand torpedo TO blow itup.
The motion was lost,
An amendment offered by Mr.. CalknE. uniting
under one head the DureSns Of steam engineering
and of construction and repairs, was rejected,
The com tee then rose.
Mr. Tully, from the committee Oh public lands,
reported hill lOricitlng the OntOnogun and Brule
liver land gran House calendar.
The house then at Ais, adjourned,
NOAIIN ATIONS.
The Presid ent sent the following nominations
N "a "a.