The Portland daily press., 1888-06-18
sundry civil Appropriations.

WASHINGTON, june 16.--The sundry civil
appropriation bill. which was reported to
the House today by Congressman Randall,
contains the following clauses for New Eng
lanl One-half the cost of constructing
stone abutments and piers for the protection
of the United States court house and post
Office building at Bangor. $4,000. with the
understanding that the other half is to be
paid by the city; for site and the beginning
of the building authorized by law at Lowell,
Mass, 100000; for the completion Of the
Springfield (Mass.) building. 100000; for the
continuation Of the building at Worcester,
100000. Under the head of lighthouses an
appropriation Of $4,000 Is made for Goose
Rocks, Maine, for light and fog signal at
the entrance to Fox Island thoroughfare ana
the establishment of day beacon at or near
Channel lake. To continue observations on
the Atlantic coast at Pulpit Harbor, Maine,
and Sandy Lake, N. j.. ana to begin obser-
priated; for the eastern branch of the Sol
diers Home at T0gus, Maine, 500, ,S60s
against S200,170 last year.
For Military Purposes.
The House went iuto committee Of the
whole on the army appropriation bill
Mr.. Tracy of New York offered an amend
ment appropriating $4,000 for the enlarge
ment Of the plant at Watervliet Arsenal.
New York, and $500. 900 for the manufacture
of cannon, and carriages, and projeetiles, for
torpedo experiments and expenses of ord
nance officers.
Messrs. Tracy and Spinola of New York
set out the public demand for adequate coast
defences, and argued that the Notifications
appropriation bill might again fail of pas
sage, leaving the great cities on the coast ex
posed for another year to attack.
Mr.. Randall OF Pennsylvania made point
Of order against the amendment. He said
that science had so far advanced, that had
the last fortifcation bill become law, the
money would have been absolutely wasted.
For 20 years he had waited for the ordnance
department to make gun that they dare
flre. We should invite private manufacture
ers to cooperate in the supply of the neces-
sary guns. Why not invite them to supply
~, or II, or l6-inch guns, under specified con-
ditions? The government could not make a
gun OF IA, l6 OF 20-inch caliber, yet private
firms stand ready to furnish them.
Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, argued that this
country was so rich in resources that no
other nation would attack us. In the course
OF the debate letters were read from Secre-
tary Endicott and the chief of ordnance,
Gen. Bennett strongly indorsing the proposed
amendment.
Mr. Laird, of Nebraska, said that we had
not gun or carriage, or powder to fire the
gun II we had 1t, adequate to the defence Of
the country.
Mr., Randall remarked to Mr.. Laird that
| the appropriations committee would bring
in bill providing for IA, 16 and 20 inch guns
and there were people who would agree to
| furnish them.
The chairman, Mr.. Springer, sustained the
point OF order and the amendment was ruled
| out
On motion of Mr.. Laird, of Nebraska,
| provision was added to the paragraph relat-
ing to post supplies, requiring them to be
| purchased where they can be purchased
| considered.
| The committee then rose the bill was pass
ed and the House adjourned.