The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-28
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
Debate on the Bill to Provide New Cruisers
for the Navy.

WASHINGTON, Feb 27,--Mr. Dawes, from the
committee on Indian affairs, reported favorably
the bill for the allotment of lands in severalty to
Indians on the Umatilla reservation, in Oregon.
Bills were introduced and referred as follows
By Mr. Maxey: To improve the channel be-
tween Galveston and the Gulf of Mexico.
Mr.. Van Wyck offered the following resolution
for which he asked immediate consideration:
Resolved That the committee postofces and
postroads be directed to inquire whether at any time
the Western Union and Baltimore II Ohio telegraph
companies, any officers employees of said com
panes, entered into contract negotiation for the
purpose Of consolidating said companies or making
combination for any purpose
Mr.. Van Wyck explained that some days ago
he offered resolution combining the time OF ne
gotatons referred to to within one year. The
evidence of DR.. Norvin Green, yesterday, before
the committee on postofices and post-roads had
he said, clearly established the fact that q
tract was made and executed two years ago, but
that the elder Garrett had defeated the opera
ton Of the contract 1t was neither patriotism
nor philanthropy, nor horror at the consolidation
or stock-waternS that for moment parayzed
the elder Garrett. The Western Union had shown
no sorrows at the proposed building OF the Balti-
more & Ohio line. They knew, as did the elder
Garrett, that new lines by individuals meant
many millions more of fictitious stock
80 be divided by the Western Union
aud Baltimore 4 Ohio, but it meant
also greater burdens upon the people. The
fact that Bates a trusted officer of the Western
Union, had gone over to the Baltimore d Ohio
IN apparent hostility to the Western Union was
significant That officer had at the proper
time gone 10 the Atlantic and Pacific and N utual
Union companies. whicl a short time afterwards
were absorbed by the Western Union.
Mr.. Plumb did not see good TO come of the
resolu ton.
After debate the resolution was referred to the
committee on postofces and post-roads.
Mr.. Blair introduced bill extending the time
for the completion of railroads west of the Mis-
sissippi river to which grants of public lands
had been made and which in good faith were
prosecuting the work of construction, without
the forfeiture of such lands.
Mr. Lapham introduced a bill to incorporate
the Yellowstone Park railroad and to aid in the
construction Of the road.
Mr. Vest offered a resolution, which was
agreed to, calling upon the Secretary of the In
terror for information as to whether lease had
been made Of any part of the Grow reservation,
IN Montana, to any person association, and if
so, the extent Of such lease and upon what terms
it was made, and by what authority of law had
such action been taken by the department; also
whether any permit had been given to Craze cat
tie on that reservation and if so, by what au-
thority Of law h I'd il been done.
The Senate resumed consideration of the bill
to provide new cruisers for the navy The de
bate was participated in by Messrs Jones Of
Florida, Mcpherson, Hale Cocl1rcll and Beck
The latter criticized the management of the
navy-yards. Referring to the statement of
Admiral Porter that on one occasion $50. 600
~,
I'D no one could tell but what that
money might have been given to Dorsey to take
to Indiana. 1t was a shame that the govern
ment could not build its own ships, but had to
give the work to favored contractors. 1t was
vice in the administration. dishonesty in the
management and connivance aud collision be
tween contractors and officers Of the government
that was our trouble
Mr. Vest said that but few moments ago.
while in the corridor, he Vestl had been APP
pealed to by an officer of the navy, an old per
sonal friend, who said For Gods sake Vest,
vote for this bill" He had told him he was
mistaken; it was for John Roach's sake he
meant The Almighty had nothing to do with
IT. When the steel vessels were put up to com
petition only Roach d Cranp could bid for
them under the terms of the bill
Mr. Hale said the committee on naval affairs
was the sponsor of this bill, and the committee
had never seen CT heard Of John Roach in con
nection with it. The bid of John Roach for steel
vessels was $500 600 less than any other bidder
There never had been so clean and incorruptible
administration of the navy-yards and Navy De
partment as now.
Mr. Vest inquired who brought in this ques-
ton OF lneflciency of the naVy-yards. Was it
not the ally of the senator from Maine-his as
sistant diutant-g general. tAIludng to Mr. Butler
of South Carolina. Who did not know these navy
yards were hot beds Of political corruption!
Mr. Butler with great warmth repealed the
assertion that he was the ally or adiutant-gen-
eral of any one on this question. The senator
from Missouri had better state in plain terms
what his real opposition to the bill is. 1t is that
he has no confidence III the honesty of the pres
ent administration of the Navy Department. 1t
is that perhaps some political advantage may ac-
crue to the party to which the senator from Mis-
souri, and myself do not belong, if We vote this
sum Of money to build these ships; but I refuse
to subordinate high public duty to the achieve
ment of party advantage.
Mr.. Mcpherson said gentleman who had been
asked to make an estimate upon the ships which
John Roach contracted for, had stated if he could
have had the same inspector to inspect the work