Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-21
HOUSE.

The House met at 10 o'clock in continual
ton of Thursdays session, and Immediately
went into committee of the whole on the
river and harbor bill.
One hour was consumed in slowly and in
determinately voting upon the amendment to
the paragraph making an appropriation for
the improvement of the Mississippi river.
Finally, in order to expeditea the matter the
friends of the bill Welded to motion to
strike ont the entire Mississippi clause. This
Withdrew the bone of contention from the
committee, and the clause will be restored in
the House.
The clause relative to the Hennepin canal
being required to, the chair delivered an
elaborate decision on the points of order that
were raised against it. He held that the sub
ject matter was germaue and that it was not
in the nature of new legislation. and there
fore overruled the points, which were based
on these grounds. but sustained the point that
the committee on rivers and harbors had not
the original jurisdiction of the subject and
that it should properly have been considered
by the committee on railways and canals,
and upon this ground he ruled that the clause
was not in order and must be stricken from
the bill.
Mr.. Henderson of Iowa appealed from the
decision, pending which the committee rose
The House adjourned and at II o'clock the
session of Friday began.
1t was ordered that when the House ad-
iourn today it be to meet tomorrow at the
call of the speaker.
The conference report on the consular and
diplomatic appropriation bill was agreed to.
Mr.. Wolford of Kentucky called up the
motion to reconsider the vote by which the
House some DAYS ago refused to pass the bill
granting a pension of $50 a month to the
widow of Major Thornburg. The motion
was reconsidered and agreed to and the bill
passed.
After passing a number of minor bills the
House went into committee on the naval ap-
preparation bill
The second section. which relates to the
increase of the navy, and contains what is
known az the Randall plan, having been
read it was agreed that four hours debate
should be allowed on it.
Mr.. keifer of Ohio favored the building OF
a navy. and therefore was against the plan
contained in the bill, because he believed il
would not give the country single vessel il
would dare to put into the water.
| Mr.. Long of Massachusetts said the posi-
| ton of the gentleman from Ohio (Kieter) in
| favoring an increase of the navy and in op.
posing the means proposed to secure that in.
/ crease. reminded him of the story of the mar
who was lin favor of the Maine law but
against its execution The plans proposed
might be faulty in detail, but he favored it;
general features. The fundamental question
presented was whether or not the country
should have navy. This country was like
an unarmed giant-mighry in resources, but
surrounded by armed soldiers who held him
at the point of the bayonet Our sea-coasts
were at the mercy of the first invader. Ou,
seaports were in condition to be placed
/ under tribute. Our navy was an alphabet OF
wooden wash-tubs. There was not on these
wooden ships piece of ordinance of more
value in war than child's toy gun. He had
heard this said over and over again. He had
seen this picture drawn ad nsseaum. People
laughed at the navy and relished the joke of
the Tallapoosa being run down by coal
barge. They laughed at it as a kind OF
burlesque.