The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
THE HOUSE.
Debate the Naval Appropriation Bill
Reports from Committees.

Debate on the Naval Appropriation Bill
Reports from Committees.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12-Mr Potter introduced
a bill to extend the bonded debts of the United
States at IA per cent Referred.
The ways and means resolution was adopted
directing the committee expenditures in the
Department of Justice, in making the investiga-
ton into the expenditures on account of the
prosecution of persons charged with frauds on
the government, and especially in the star-route
mail service, to inquire into the manner in which
such prosecutions had been and are being con-
Quoted, and into the conduct, efficiency, and
good faith of all officials persons in the pay of
the government in connection with such prosecu-
tions, and whether the guilty parties had been
duly prosecuted
Mr.. Bland, rising to question OF privilege,
moved that the committee on banking and cur
rency be discharged from further consideration
of the bill providing for the retirement of the
trade dollar, and that the bill be referred to the
committee on coinage, weights, and measures
Mr.. Buckner opposed the motion, but it was
agreed to--S4 to IA.
A resolution was adopted providing for a select
committee to proceed to Hot Springs and make
a general examination of all government inter
ests there.
Bills were reported:
By Mr.. Dowd, from the committee on coinage
weights, and measures: For the retirement and
recoinage of the trade dollar Referred to COM
mittee of the whole.
By Mr.. Dibrell, from the committee on mill
tary affairs To authorize the extension of the
Chesapeake & Ohio railroad to a point on the
military lands of Fortress Monroe Placed on
the calendar.
By Mr.. Murphy, from the committee on rail
ways and canals: To provide for the construc-
tion of Michigan and Mississippi river canal
Referred to committee of the whole.
By Mr.. Willis, from the committee on educa-
ton; To aid temporarily in the support of com
mon schools. Ordered printed and recommitted
By Mr.. Hopkins from the committee on labor
To establish and maintain department of labor
statistics. Referred to committee of the whole
The House went into committee of the
whole (Mr. Converse in the ehair) on the naval
appropriation bill.
Mr. Calkins criticized certain provisions of the
bill. He said the appropriation for completing
the equipment and outfits of the new cruisers
was ridiculously small When the new cruisers
were furnished there would be nothing put upon
them except some smooth-bore pop guns. There
are millions of dollars worth of property on the
Pacific coast, and the little country of Chilli
could, in three weeks, destroy every dollars
worth. Chill had five armored vessels, while
the United States had not a vessel
afoat that could stand before
of them ten minutes. Put the thirty
vessels of the United States together on the
front of one of these Gillian vessels, and she
would sink every one of them. 1t was true the
United States was not in the presence of an
enemy, but the fact remained that she had
pocketed insults not only from Chill, but from
almost every country on the face of the globe,
because she had no navy by which she could en-
force her rights.
The committee rose.
Mr. Lacey introduced bill for the survey Of
a water route to connect the waters of Lake
Michigan and Detroit river9 Referred.
Adjourned