The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-31
A Flgl,tinr NAVY.

WAsHGNGroN, July 2i.-The senate devoted
most Of its time today to the consideration Of
the naval appropriation BILL especially that
portion which related To the construction of
the new cruisers.
Among the amendments reported from the
committee on appropriations and agreed to by
the senate were the following: Striking out an
item of $4,000 for expenses of the commission
to locate II navy yard near the coast Of the gulf
of Mexico, and inserting an item of 5000 for
continuing tho improvement of the naval
hospital park at Portsmouth, Va.
Tho most important amendment reported
was TO add TO tho item for tho construction
OF three steel CruiSerS-tWo OF them Of about
three thousand tons at a cost of not exceeding
81 100000, each exclusive of armament, and
one oi about $500 tons ut cost OF not moro
than SiSo0,000-the following: "Aso three
gun boats or cruisers neither of which shall
exceed 200 tons in displacement nor 100000
in cost, including any premium that may be
paid for increased speed and excluding the
cost of armament; said vessels TO be built ei-
Their wholly of Steel or with steel frames !"
aud to strike out OF tho item the words, and
enc armorcd cruiser OF about 1900
tons dsplacemen-, 10 cost not more
than three and half million
dollars and also TO strike out the provision
that az least one OF these vessels shall be built
in tho United States navy yard, and that tho
others may bo built at the navy yards II tho
secretary cannot make reasonable contracts
for their construction.
MIR. Morgan, speaking of tho moral power
which strong lighting navy would give TO the
United States, said that Germany would not
be sweeping tho Pacific II the United States
had a good fighting navy. Not that Germany
was afraid of the United States, but she knew
that the United States was not going TO arm
itself in order TO defend the Pacific ocean.
The building Of great lighting navy would do
more Tor the commerce of this country than
amy other measure.
Other speeches in favor Of building
OF large war Sims and a strong navy were
made 10y Senators Hawley Teller, Butler.
Reagan and Gibson, while Mr.. Call advocated
the amendment proposed 10y the committee ON
appropriations.
The question was then taken on striking out
the house provision for for a II ,5O0-ton armurcd
cruiser, and il was struck out by vote of
yeas s., nays II. The amoniment offered by
MIR. Gray limiting the tonnage Of three-gun
boats or cruisers to 900 tons, ana the cost Of
each 10 $4,000, was agreed to, and the amend
ment reported by the committee on appropria-
lion rs thus amended Was agreed TO.
AS the matter now stands, provision is mado
| Tor the construction hy contract Of two steel
cruisers OF about 5000 tons displacement, each
al cost OF not moro than Sl,lOOOou; one steel
cruiser Of about 5,aQQ toms displacement 10 cost
not more than Sl,Sl0,OOQ. and three gun beats
or cruisers not 20 exceed in displacement OOO
tons, and in cost $4,000 each. The first two
vessels must have a speed Of 10 least nineteen
knots per hour, and the third vessel of at least
4 twenty knots PER hour with deduction from
contract price OF $4,000 fer every quarter knot
less than the guaranteed speed and with q
premium, 60 be fAes hy the secretary OF the
navy, for increased speed. The last amend
ment was the insertion Of an item Of S215OO0
Tor the construction and ornament Of one steel
practice vessel OF so tons for the use Of the
naval academy az Annapolis. This was agreed
10 and the bill was reported back by the COM
m.ttee Of whole TO senate.