Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-26
HOUSE.

The Senate then, at 1890, adjourned.
HOUSE.
Immediately after the reading of the jour
nal today, the House went into commit,e of
the whole on the bill for the increase of the
navy.
Mr.. Herbert of Alabama contrasted the
splendid condition of the navy prior 10 and
during the war with its deplorsole condition.
Since the war the navy had been left TO rot un
I'll today, and tor purposes of defence it was
utterly worthless. One vessel could be taken
from the navy of Brazil, fourth rate power
which could defeat the whole American navy !;
our ships could neither fight nor run away.
We had not a single gun sfioat which could
pierce the armor of the Brazilian vessel, and
each vessel could choose her own distance to
light, and sink every ship IN the American
navy. He then explained the provisions of
the substitute bill, stating that if il were
agreed to, and if the vessels now in course of
construction were completed, an appropria-
tion OF 81 ,000, 900 year would be required
for four years, in order to secure material,
though moderate, increase of the navy.
MIR. Boutelle OF Maine said that in the past
the republican party had been hampered in.
the great work of rebuilding the navy by the
lndlspostion of its democratic friends to en-
trust that work TO the hands of the republican
ofheials. The country, therefore, had a right
to expect upon the accession OF the democrat
ic party to power, come substantial aud ener-
get'c progress towards the construction of
navy. In contrast with the action of the
democratic party in the past WAS the action of
the republican party today, which, though in
minority, did nothing to hamper, but every
thing to aid, its political enemies in answer
ing the demands of the people. The COM
mittee on naval affairs had gone faithfully to
work, and in March reported bill appropri-
ating Sc, ,425 900. This bill had stood upon
the calendar since that time, and the commit
tee had been unable to secure consideration
for it. Now a substitute was brought in and
the House was asked TO say to the people that
the country did not need the ships which the
committee in March said it did. The House
was asked to pass on the eve of the session as
lame and impotent conclusion of all this
great paraphernalia OF what the democrats
were going to do for navy, proposition
so Clipped and hacked and emasculated
that its parents would not recognize it.
Mr.. Reed of Maine suggested that, accord
ing to the resolution reported by the commit
tee on rules, the original bill was now before
| the committee of the whole.
Hr. Boutele said that his colleague was
not admitted TO the "holy of holies"
Mr.. Reed replied that he was admitted to
the next best thing-the committee on rules.
Mr.. .Boutele-Behnd that are the cherubim
and the sersphim.
Mr.. Reed-There is difference between
| them. l don't know whether it is a cherubim
| and seraphim difference, but there is a differ
ence.
Mr.. Boutelle, continuing, referred to the
| weakness of the navy. He was very much
| afraid thst that weakness had had some infu-
ence in controlling the action of the present
administration.
Mr.. Herbert said that the majority of the
| naval committee had not changed their opin-
ion in regard to the matter, but it recognized
the fact that the committee on rules was sim
| ply representative of the House. When it
found that there was an opinion IN the House
that the original bill appropriated too much
money ond provided for too many ships, it
conformed the bill to the sentiment of the
House and had no apology to offer. The ORR
| ginal bill was then read by sections for
amendments.
| Mr.. Ballentine of Tennessee moved an
amendment appropriating sl.200.0O0 for the
construction OF cruiser of between 2500 and
5000 tons displacement, with a speed of not
| less than 20 knots, upon the plans, designs
and specifications furnished by Charles D..
Lundburg of New York. Rejected.
Mr.. Boutelle of Maine moved to strike out
the clause which authorizes the secretary of
the navy in certain emergencies to import the
armor tor the new cruisers. Agreed to yeas
| l0S, nays Ill.
| Mr.. Herbert then offered as a substitute
for the bill the proposition agreed to by the
committee on naval affairs, and which has
been published. 1t was agreed to-yess III,
nays l04-and the bill as so amended was
passed.
The House then, at 3 o'clock took recess
until o'clock, the evening session to be for
| the consideration of land forfeiture bills.
| At the evening session, the bill declaring a
forfeiture of lands granted to the New Or
leans, Baton Rouge & Vicksburg RailrJ Dad
Company was called up and passed. 1t re-
stores to the public domain between 300, 900
| and 400, 900 acres of land.
The remainder of the evening session was
consumed in an Intellectual effort to secure a
quorum to act upon the Mobile and Girsrd
| land forfeiture bill.
At 1890 the House adjourned.