The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-05
Mr. Van Wyck Takes 0ccason to Put the Dems
ocrats on Guard Against the Willy
Schemes of the Republicans.
The Debate Develops Incidental Allu-
sion to John Roach and the Dolphin.
The House Talks Briefly Concerning War
Taxes Due from the States, and Then
Passes the Dingley Shipping Bill.
THE SENATE.
Debate on the Proposal to Give the Secretary
of the Navy an Assistant

of the Navy an Assistant
WASHINGTON Feb. 4-Prayer was offered by
| the Rev T. Dewitt Talmage of Brooklyn, N Y.
The Chair laid before the Senate letter FROM
| the Secretary Of the Treasury in reply to a re-
cent resolution of the Senate relating to the con-
| science fund The conscience fund.- the Sec
retary says, had its origin in the popular belief
that the donations of money received from per-
sons unknown were because of money wrong.
| fully withheld from the government The first
| item to the credit of the fund was made in 1912,
| and the fund now amounts to 1920, Az
| Among memorials presented and appropriately
| referred was one by Mr.. Sewell, consisting of a
concurrent resolution by the Legislature OF New
jersey protesting against the granting by Con-
| gress of any right to build bridge from the
| shores of New Jersey to those of Staten Island.
N. Y. and asserting the doctrine of State rights
! in denial of the power of Congress to grant
such authority.
| Several petitions were presented from organi-
cations of Knights of Labor. urging Congress to
| open up to settlement the Territory of Okla
homa.
| Mr.. Cameron called up the bill providing for
| the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of the
| Navy. An amendment suggested by the naval
| come from civil life
| Mr.. Plumb hoped some explanation would be
| given of the need of such an officer, and of the
need OF such haste in taking up the bill at this
| time, it having but recently been reported.
Mr.. Hoar suggested the inquiry whether it
was wise for Congress to tie the hands of the
President in requiring that the proposed new
officer should be taken from civil life.
| Mr.. Cameron said the bill had been originally
introduced in compliance with the wish of the
Secretary of the Navy and the Senate commit
| tee had thought it best to have the appointment
made from civil life, so as to avoid jealousles
among naval officers.
| Mr.. Hale thought it very desirable that there
| should be greater infusion into the Navy De-
| partment of the business capacity characteristic
| of active and successful business men. Unless
the bill should provide for the making of the ap-
| pointment from civil life, there would be solc-
itations by naval officers, and consequent jeal-
ousies would be aroused. In cases of emergency
| the President and Secretary of the Navy already
had authority of law to call in for advice and
| consultation proper experts from among the
naval officers.
| Mr.. Plumb opposed the appointment of the
| proposed officer, declaring it was not necessary.
Mr.. Plumb said he would simply be another
functionary to wear rose in buttonhole, give
| receptions, and disport himself for the edfca-
tion of outsiders so as to make the government
show" moro complete These department.
chiefs were the ornamental part of the depart
ments. Department work, like the brook, went
ION forever" regardless of who was Secretary.
There was too much machinery in the govern
| ment departments, and what was wanted
| not an Assistant Secretary, but an entire reor-
| ganization of departmental methods Respon-
| Sibility was now too much divided, and, in fact
| when traced up, found nowhere.
Mr.. Hawley favored the BILL He thought k
one of the most palpabe indications of the times
| that the American people wanted something like
| respectable navy, and thought business man
| would be necessary in such a case as the conf.
Dental assistant of the Secretary of the Navy
Mr.. Beck said that Secretaries Lincoln and
| Chandler had, two years ago, made plain to the
Senate committees the necessity for an assistant
| in each of their departments. A bill was then
passed providing for such officer in the War
and Navy Departments; but the salary ($3,500)
had not proved sufficient, and the officers were
not appointed. The main argument used was that
civilian was necessary In order to avoid the
jealouses of the naval and military officers
MIR. Beck favored the bill and the proposed
amendment
Mr.. Plumbs recollection was that the acs
had been repealed at the request of Secretary
Chandler.
Mr.. Allison said that the measure had beoE
passed. but as no officers had been appointed,
Congress subsequently repealed it. Mr. Allison
thought that if the new assistant was to haze
larger compensation, it would be necessary, The
| supposed, to increase the salaries Of the other
assistants.
Mr.. Dawes thought it very necessary to rec
habilitate the navy, and spoke in favor of the
bill.
Mr.. Plumb did not think the present Secre-
tary of the Navy had done anything to help
the navy.
Mr.. Van Wyck thought this an attempt on the
part of the Republicans to force the present ad-
ministration to accept another officer Perhaps,
however, the word force" was too strong Ger
| tainly, additional officers were contrary to the
expressed decree of the published platform OF
the administration, as it was of the old.
He thought he had better put the Democratic
Senators on their guard, so that they might make
sure whether this additional officer needed
Mr. Van Wyck presumed the Democrats might
be suspicious of the Greeks even when they bore
gifts. They might be entrapped. He had heard
of the great enthusiasm with which the country,
some months ago, greeted the discharge of some
laborers from the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing. The reduction had been from men
receiving dollar day. but an assistant was rer
quired who should have the salary of five dis
charged laborers Mr.. Van Wyck prophesied
that this thing would be repeated
Mr. Blackburn spoke for the bill. He did not
want to relieve the Secretary Of the Navy of
any of his responsibilities, but on the contrary
to rivet and clinch his responsibilities on him.
self. It was impossible for the Secretary OF the
Navy to be always present in his Office, and it
was indispensable for him to have for an assist
ant man of active business habits The bureau
of detail in the Navy Department, Mr.. Black
! burn continued, was In charge of captain
whose name was twelfth on the list of captains
OF the navy, and yet there was not enough
Mr. Piumb-Who is responsible for thatl
Mr. Blackburn didn't think it lay in the mouth
of a Republican Senator to make that inquiry,
because the same system had existed under the
Republican administration.
Mr ingalls, intended to treat this administra-
ton with absolute Justice Whatever assistance
any officer may certify that he needs for the
proper administration of the department Mr..
ingalls, would vote to give him, bat he would not
give any assistance that was not certified to be
necessary.
Mr. Butler said the Secretary of the Navy had
recommended the appointment, and read from
the report of the Secretary the statement thai