The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-11
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
Continuation of the Debate on the Naval APP
preparation Bill.

preparation Bill.
WASHINGTON, April lot was agreed that
when the Senate adjourned to-day it be to Mon
day next.
The Chair laid before the Senate a communi-
cation from the Secretary of the Treasury urg
ing the necessity for a new revenue cruiser for
Alaskan waters, and recommending appropri-
alton Of $4,000 for that purpose.
Mr.. Miller, of California, presented as a me
mortal a joint resolution of the Legislature of
California urging the adoption by Congress of
the bill introduced by Mr.. Sumner in the House
relating to postal telegraph,
The following reports were made from COM
mittees
By Mr.. Vest, from the committee on com
merce: A favorable report on the bill to author
ize construction of q bridge across the Missis-
sippi at st. Louis.
Mr. Miller of California, from the committee
on foreign relations, reported an original amend
ment to the consular and diplomatic appropria-
ton BILL to take the place of the bill referred to
that committee, and intended to provide for the
appointment of special commissioners to visit
the principal South American countries for the
purpose of collecting information looking to the
extension of our trade in that direction.
The committee postoffces and post-roads
reported an amendment to the postofice appro-
priation bill, to take the place of bill referred
to that committee, intended to provide for set
Element of postmasters' salaries under the act of
March 3, 1888
The following bills were introduced and re
ferred:
By Mr.. Plat (by request: For better protec-
ton of citizens in their rights of property, and
to punish infringers of patents.
By Mr. Bowen: To protect employees of rail
roads engaged in interstate commerce.
Mr.. Hill introduced bill to declare forfeited
the lands granted the New Orleans Baton
Rouge & Vicksburg Railroad Company Mr..
Hill requested that the bill lay on the table for
few days, as he wished to make some remarks
upon it before referring it to a committee.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. Beck, in the course of the debate, said the
United States could not send war steamer to
California without being dependent on foreign
nations for coaling the vessel
On reaching the amending clause appropriate
ing $4OO, 900 to complete the ordnance outfit for
| the three new cruisers and one dispatch boat,
Mr. Beck moved an amendment making the
amount $500, 900. He did this he said, after
hearing statements that the increased amount
would be necessary.
Mr. Beck's amendment, and then the commit
tees amendment, were agreed to.
On reaching the amendment of the committee
that provides for the construction of new steel
cruisers a bill for the construction of which the
| Senate passed some weeks ago, Mr.. Beck raised
the point that the amendment, as he supposed,
Was new legislation and not in order. The Chair
ruled it was in order.
Mr.. Bayard was of the belief that the provis-
ion was in order but he could not bring his
mind to agree that it was proper for the com
| mittee on appropriations to include in an appro-
pration bill legislation which would increase the
number of ships in the navy or of regiments in
the army
Mr.. Mcpherson said he did not care what the
rules of the Senate said about this matter. The
fact was, the House had not yet concluded
action on the bill providing for these cruisers,
which had already been passed by the Senate.
1t was a discourteSy and indignity to that body
to engraft the provisions of that bill into an ap-
preparation bill, and Mr.. Mcpherson had no
doubt it would be so considered by the House.
Then, in case the two houses did not come to an
agreement, it would again be charged that the
Democrats were trying to starve the govern
ment. He did not wish to see any money APP
piled to duplicating the ships now under CON
tract, until it should appear whether they were a
success.
Mr.. Beck stated that he had made the point of
order because he knew the rules of the Senate
had been strict about those matters. According
to the ruling OF the Chair, we could build hun
dred cruisers, by an amendment to an appropri-
alton bill, easily as we could build seven. We
might as well put into the bill a further provis-
ion that John Roach should be the builder, be
cause he would get the building. That would be
in order, he supposed. The general welfare
clause would cover the provision Then Roach
would contribute 100000 to the campaign fund.
Mr. Beck also objected to duplicating the ships
at present in c, Trse of construction
until their working qualities were tested. At
any rate these were not war ships proper but
were commerce destroyers whose duty it might
become, in case of foreign war, to destroy Amer
lean commerce, since our commerce was carried
in English vessels.
Mr.. Jones. of Florida, said when the President
informed the Senate that the interests of the
people of the United States required something
should be done toward putting the
navy in condition beftting the
dignity and greatness of the nation,
he (llr. jones' was not going te refuse to listen
to him on the ground that the President was a
Republican. How could the government be
maintained by such coursel If officers did not
do their duty, let them be mpeached and turned
out of Offices but, above all things let not the in
terests of the public suffer.
Pending debate on the amendment providing
for construction of steel cruisers, the Senate
went into executive session, and when the doors
reopened, adjourned till Monday.