Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-18
THE NATIONS CAPITOL
Passage Of the Army Appropri-
alton Bill.
Randall Makes a Few Points on the GOV.
eminent Ordnance Manufacture.
Maine Gets Many Thousands by the
6undry Civil Bill
WASHINGTON, June II.
House.

The House went into committee of ths
whole Saturday morning on the army appro
priation bill. When the paragraph relating
to the pay department was reached Mr.. Pc
tiers of Kansas expressed the opinion tina
there are too many paymasters.
| Mr.. Ford of Michigan stated that the army
is only paid once in 60 days.
Mr.. Browne of Indiana said an investiga
ton would show that not more than one il
five of the pay masters were ever engaged a
the same time in the performance of official
duties.
Mr.. Townshend of Illinois called attention
to the fact that law had already passed for
bidding the appointment of any more pay
masters until the number on the list should
have been reduced to 30
Mr.. Tracy::of New York offered an amend
ment appropriating Sl26.000 for the enlarge
ment of the plant at Watervilect Arsenal,
New York, and $500, 900 for the manufac-
ture of cannon and carriages and projectles
for torpedo experiments and expenses of ord
nance officers.
Messrs. Tracy and Spinola of New York
set out the public demand for adequate coast
defence, and argued that the fortitications APP
preparation bill might Sgaln fail of passage,
leaving the great cities on the coast exposed
for another year to attack.
Mr.. Randall of rennsy lvania made point
of order against the amendment. lie said
science had so far alva; ced that, had the
last fortification bill became law the money
would have been absolutely wasted. For 20
years he had waited for the ordnance de-
partment to make a gun that they dare fire.
We should invite pri rate manufacturers to
cooperate in the supply of the necessary
hv inv ITO, thprn N snpulv IN n
u or I6 inch guns, under specified condi-
tions? The government could not make a
gun of IA, l6 or 20 inch caltbre, yet private
firms stand ready to furnish them.
Mr. Whitthorne of Tennessee held that
Congress should make every effort to stimu
late the manufacture of this or lnance and
assume the respun ibility f,r | re
of the experiments. 1t must come
to this sooner OF later, and Congress should
begin the work at once.
Mr.. Holman of Indiana argued that this
country was SO rich i'll resources that no 9TH
er nation would attack US.
In the course of the debate letters were
read from Secretary Endicot and the chief
of ordnance Gen. Benet, strongly endorsing
the proposed amendment
Mr. Laird of Nebraska said that we had
not gun or carriage, or powder to hre the
gun if we had it, adequate 10 the defence OF
the country.
Mr. Randall remarked to Mr.. Laird that
the appropriations committee would bring IN
II bill providing for II, Sand 20 inch guns
and there were people who would agree 10
furnish them.
The chairman. Mr.. Springer, sustained
the point of order, and the amendment was
ruled out.
On motion of Mr. Laird of Nebraska, a
provision was added TO the paragraph relating
to post supplies, requiring them to be pur-
chased where they can be purchased cheap
est. quality and cost of transportation con-
sidered. The committee then rose. the bill
was passed and the House adjourned.