The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-08
M'ADOO,s PROMISE.
How the Jersey Representative Tried to Sc
cure n Much-Needed Appropriation.

cure n Much-Needed Appropriation.
Washington Correspondence Pttsburg Chronicle.
The kind of economy that the Democrats pro-
pose to bring about during the campaigL has had
few very interesting examples in the House
during the past week. One of them was the ap-
preparation for repairing the stone docks at the
Brooklyn navy yards The docks were built In
1852 at cost of some millions of dollars, and
were supposed to be models in their way They
received crippled vessels during tho war and
held the shaky craft that had to be patched
together every few weeks during the Grant ad
ministration offered their services in later years
to the wrecks that could not go to sea until they
had moro repairs than original building, ard, to
sum it all up did everything that thoroughly ro-
liable docks could be expected to do.
Within the last few years they have shown
signs of the strain. The big stones got in about
as shaky condition as the vessels that they
used to wall iE from the sea, and accidents were
frequently happening. Some day the engineers
expected them to cave in. Congress was noti
fed of the difficulty, but of course, did nothing,
and things have naturally been growing worse
ever since. Just now of the Brazilian yes
sells, which came with Dom Pedros son to this
country is in them getting repairs, and it is said
to be just about an even chance whether she
Mr.. McAdoo, a member of the naval commit
tee, who has had his attention frequently called
to the situation, tried during the session to
get some relief, but with the usual re-
suit few weeks ago, after getting some
fresh reports of worse character than ever,
he started out for another effort. He is a
friend OF Mr. Randall, and he went first to
him. He explained the case, which Mr.. Randall
understood perfectly, and then asked him to add
in his appropriation bills 1925 600 for repairs.
the docks were in bad condition; no admitted
that il they were not repaired it might take mill
lions to rebuild them, but he said he was shaping
his appropriation bills with view to economy.
They look economical rs he had arranged them,
and he did not want their Jeffersonian appear
ance disturbed by the introduction of any items
calling for more money. He was willing TO
make a reduction il Mr.. McAdoo would show
him where it could be done, but positively no in-
crease for any purpose whatever.
Mr.. McAdoo was about to give up In despair,
when Randall suggested that, as the case was so
deserving, he had better try Mr.. Herbert, OF the
naval committee, and the item inserted in his
naval appropriation bill. 1t would 20 properly
there, and perhaps Mr.. Herbert was not so par
ticular about the looks of his bills.
To Mr. Herbert accordingly. Mr. McAdoo
went. He told him his case without mentioning
his failure with Randall. and urged it with all
the facts and figures he had collected during the
session. But Mr. Herbert would not have any
thing to do with it. He made, substantially, the
same answer as the great economist. He said
that his bill had a very appealing look to the
country it was, and that he could not think OF
spelling its symmetry. He recommended Mr.
Randall as the man to take care of the appr0-
priatioD.
Mr.. McAdoo was disgusted, but made one
more appeal on the floor of the House, in which
he represented his request as travelling about
like Japhet in search of father. Nobody took
him up, and the appropriation. so far as the
House is concerned, stands refused.
In the Senate, however, there is different
opinion about such things. There may be some
tendency to extravaganza therein, but it is often
of the kind that saves pounds by the expendi-
ture of pennies Senator Hale. Of the naval
the appropriation, and when he discovered the
necessity, agreed to do So He said plainly,
however that he only took it up because It was
a necessity. and that ordinarily he was disposed
to let the Democrats assume the responsibility
fer their cheese pairing blundcrs Mr.
McAdoo, who was still hanging on 70 the possis
blity that the appropriation might 60 through
was so much pleased by this CLEAN OF hope that
lie WAS willing to promise anything to get tho
Senator to hold to his promise He asked him
what be could do for him in roturn. You can
say in your State" said Mr. Hale, that when
Democratic economy was going to make 1t cost
millions to rebuild those docks, the Republican
Senate agreed to give enough to keep them 10
repair and prevent the waste" McAdoo pron-
ised faithfully. and says he will give his Demo-
cratic constituents in Jersey City at leaRt this
one example of the Different ways in which4h
parties regard the virtue of economy