Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-25
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Causes Another Lively session In the
kinuse-Mr. GtDSon Takes n Hand.


WASHINGTON, April 2i.-The House went
into Committee Of the Whole on the Naval
Appropriation bill. The first forty Senate
amendments were non-concurrcd in, but
tn, forty first, providing 100000 for the
ordnance to fit out the three new steel
cruisers and one dispatch boat was con-
CURED in. The amendment reyiying the
Foundry Board was not concurred 1t.
No opposition to the recommendation OF
nou.concurrencs was made until the
amendment app1opriating $4OO, 900 20 COM
plete the ordnance and outfit OF the new
cruisers was reached. when Blackburn
moved concurrence. He would vote, he
said, for non concurrence in all the Senate
amendments except this one. This amend
ment had been put on In the Senate on the
motion Of Senator from his own State.
The government had begun the construC-
tion of four vessels, sting 1900, and
ia amendment simply proposed to provi e
the armament put on these ships. He had
not voted tor the construction Of those ves-
sells. He had not fayored it, but with $780,
600 invested already he was not willing 10
go before the country refusing to approprl-
ate $40o,OOO to make these ships efficient.
Hewitt, of New York, supported his mo
ton, Blackburn's motion was agreed to
ia to 92 and Randall gave notice that he
would demand the yeas and nays. ONeil,
of Pennsy ylvania, moved the concurrence
in the amendment for additional
cruisers with an amendment pro
yiding that at least three OF the
vessels be constructed at the United State
Navy yard. He criticised severely the &C.
tion Of the Secretary of the Navy in closing
the League Island Navy yard on the rec
ommendation of commission which had
dared to report ii would cost $50,00O,OOO to
complete the yard. The men who made
that report had never examined the sub.
j CT, bu were determined 10 follow oit The
dictates of the Secretary of the,Navy.
Mr.. Gibson fakes a Hand.
Gibson expressed his willingness to vote
for a just and fair appropriation of the
money of the people that they might have
a navy to represent the .nteres on the
nigh seas.
Blaud-"lf you had navy what would
sou do with it,
Put il on the seas" replied Gibson.
And let it roI?' suggested Band.
"Oh, We will have many an excursion
interrupted Henly..
Gihson-"I have heard no argument used
sCsirst the building of navy except thal
il micht interfere with the eleCron o.
one gentlemen in q Congressional DIS
triCt, which has said the country does noi
Ws4t a navy, not Cne solitary navy, aud Il
is begging the question TO say we do not
want ravy because We are not in war
Mr Blount-"Whst would you do with
a navy TO day if you had it
Ny Gibs son-"We would give our busi-
ness men confidence TO go out into the
world and establish trade, and with a navy
We would unlock the labor Of this country
and the men eugsged in bulliug and bear
ing the markets would not be able to do so
We have no trade and il we follow your
lead, we never will have trade; aGd now il
is because desire to see American com
merce revived, because desire TO see our
interests have some protection that am
an xious TO build up a navy, and if the
country has no honest men who can be en-
trusted with the building Of a navy We
had better lower our flag ana seek the pro-
lection of some b nest country"
Tillmsn opposed the pending amend
ment. becanse he could demonstrate
if be had time it was a stupendous
fraud for the purpose OF buying the next
Presidential election, and ii was to De- doue
under the pretense of being the lAOorer's
friend.
KRsson's Usual wall.
Kasson said the true reason Of the Dem.
ocrstic opposition to the building OF
navy had been shown to-day to be fear OF
the Secretary of the Navy. He chslltn ,ed
an investigation into the most minute acts
of Chambers administration and quoted
rom the annual report OF the Secretary OF
the Navy as to how all money received
rom The sail of old material bad been
placed on deposit with the Treasurer OF the
limited States, subject 10 check by the
secretary of the Navy as expenses con,
nscted with the sale were to be paid OUT oi
u e proceeds. L.a
Cslkips sent to the clerks desk and had
1sad a telegram from the Secretary statins
The proceeds OF the sale had been im medi
ately deposited IN the treasury and tnere
rpmained. The reading OF the Telegram
was received with applause by the hepuo
licsn side. Hewitt repeated bis staten 9a
that on his inquiry at the Treasury Ds
partmsnt he had been informed the money
bad not been paid into the treasury: Wnsa
an Investigation was made IL would founu
that though the money might be IN tnt
CUSTODY of the Treasurer, il was not GOV
er<d in the treasury as the law required.
Cannon said the gentleman from SsH
York had gone for mslfeasance aud hsr