New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-12
cRrfcIsING THE THOMAS NAVAL PLANS.
LIVELY DEBATE IN THE SENATE. ON THE
MERITS OF TIE coNGREssNAN's CRUISER.

LIVELY DEBATE IN THE SENAiD YIN AhN
MERITS OF THE coNGREssMAN's CRUISER
washington, Feb. IL (speciaD.-In discussing the
Naval Appropriation bin in the Senate to-day there
arose a controversy between Messrs. Chafuier anu
CulIom over the merits of the cruiser designed oy
CONGRESSMAN Thomas, of Illinois, which, If not In
strucivc, contributed at least 70 brighten up the
otherwise dull and heavy debate Mr.. Chandler ridf
cuied the idea layman constructing and designing
the plans and specifications of man-ofwar In bis
opinion, 1t was wrong in principle to foist upon
Secretary Of the Navy particular design or type
of ship The duty of Congress- no said, was to make
the appropriations the duty of the Secretary 10 So
Iect and approve the designs for vessels. In the
course Of his remarks Nj Chandler warmed UP and
made references to Mr.. Thomas and hts alleged am
bition to enter General Harrisons Cabinet which
were resented by Mr. Cullom n equally hot language
Mr.. Culom felt bound representing the same state
that Mr.. Thomas FROM 20 defend the latter he
asserted that the praires of the West could produce
a naval constructor as well Maine or New-Hamp-
shire. He read number Of certificates from naval
authorities all tending to show that there was some
thing new in the Thomas idea
Mr. HawIey cleared the atmosphere IN his usual
lucid style by dissectng the Thomas plans and show
ing one by one that they were simply combination
of old Devices all brought together perhaps for the
first time, on one ship. He hnIed pretty broadly
that testimonials could easily be obtained from naval
cussion lasted SO long that the Senate adjourned
finally without reaching any CONCLUSION
CAMPAIGN WORK IN THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Feb. IL speciaD.-In response to the
resolution OF inquiry introduced by Senator Chandler
some days ago, Secretary Whitney sent to the Sen
ate to-day report Of the amount Of money expended
in the Navy Yards under direction OF the Bureau OF
Engineering and the Bureau Of Construction and Re
pair for the six months ending January 1. AS an
Illustration of the way in which the Government ser
vice was used TO accomplish the ends OF the Demo
cratic candidate for the Presidency, II is entertaining
and instructive In the expenditures Of the Bureau
OF Construction and Repair striking contrast viii be
noted between the amount which the Department
was able TO spend in the month Of october Just pre-
ceding the election and the month of November after
the election. In September the total expenditure
amounted to s1o3 COL In October 10 0ss, and in
November to s5s,745. OF tids amount there was ex-
pended in New-York for TIE three months S39,771,
&C., 768 and SIS, 292, respectively.
IN the Bureau of Steam Engineering the totals Tor
the three months September T33,oO3, Octoper,
$4,000; November, 829 763. OF this AMOUNT there
was spent In New.YOIk In September ~ ,l61 In Ooto-
Der IS, 6eI, and in November S6.00s
OF the entire Appropriation for the Bureau oil Con-
struction and Repair the Department managed 70
spend S4567o6 IN the first six months, and 10 rpc IN
debt for @1z275S more leaving an available balance
for the six months TO come OF $o6solo.