The Portland daily press., 1889-12-06
THE TOPICS OF THE
Bills increasing the Naval Force In
.troduced by Mr.. Hale.
They Provide for New Vessels and
More Men to Sail Them.
A Measure Which Would Apply to
the Canadian Pacific.

WASHINGTON, December 5.-Senator Hale
today introduced a bill providing for re-
serve, formed of steam vessels of the mer-
chant marine, to be used as auxiliary cruis-
ers for the navy. The bill authorizes the
Secretary of the Navy to have steamships
engaged in lake, coasting and foreign trade.
sailing under the United States flag, exam
ined with view Of ascertaining their avail
ability as cruisers in case of war, the vessels
to be enrolled upon the naval register and
subject to immediate call by government.
and to be constructed in accordance with
the requirements of the Secretary Of the
Navy and capable of mounting not less than
two rifled guns of modern pattern. The
owners of the vessels will receive an annual
compensation not exceeding eight per cent
um yearly, for the trouble and expense In.
Cured in complying with the conditions Ions Of Sd
paid for any vessel whose average trial
speed is less than Is knots for six hours
run, If engaged in foreign or coasting trade,
and not less than II knots for those on the
lakes
Senator Hale today introduced three other
important naval bills. The first auth orizes
the President to have constructed by con-
tract eight battle ships Of 1900 to 10000 tons
displacement; two armored coast defence
vessels, three gunboats OF 600 to l20 tons,
and five first-class torpedo boats. Discre-
tion is given the Secretary of the Navy in
the matter of premiums to be allowed for
speed in excess OF contract requirements.
The Secretary of the Navy may build the
vessels at the navy yards In case he cannot
contract fer them at a reasonable price. The
second bill provides for this nomencla-
ture of naval vessels Battle ships, after
States of the Union; cruisers. after cities;
un-armOred coast defence vessels, after riv-
ers; ana armored coast defence vessels after
important events or names connected with
history. United States vessels for special
service may be given names appropriate to
that service. The third bill seeks to provide
higher class Of seamen in the navy. 1t fixes
the total strength Of enlisted men, including
1900 apprentices and boys, at 5000. Boys
enlisted between the ages of IA and IS are to
serve until "a, instead of q, as at present.
Enlisted men, on first enlistment must be
between q and 35, and must serve four
years at a time. For the third year Of en-
llstment, the % men Will receive ii month ii 10
addition to their regular pay. and an addl-
tl0nal 81 month during the fourth year.
AT each re-enlistment, their pay will also be
increased. After 30 years service, enlisted
men may be retired on three-quarters pay.
Senator Hale today introduced bill pro-
viding that articles of merchandise grown
or manufactured in the United States and
transported through any foreign country in
bond for the purpose of reaching the United
States, for shipment TO any foreign coun-
try, may enter the United States:free of du-
ty. Articles of merchandise manufactured
In the United States and passing through
Canada may also pass again through the
United States in bond, free Of duty, provid-
ed such articles are intended for use In Can
ada, and not destined for foreign ports
Such articles, If transported across Canada
and intended for foreign shipment, cannot
enter the United States free of duty, except
for transportation to United States port for
shipment abroad. Articles Of merchandise,
grown or manufactured in a foreign country,
If transported to Canada and then TO the
United States, are subject to duty upon en-
tering the United States. The bill also pro-
vides that such articles transported across
the ocean and landed at seaport Of the
United States and passed through Canada in
bond for the United States as final desti-
nation, having paid the duty at the seaport
Of the United States, where they were bond
ed, are not subject to duty upon again enter
Ing the United States for final destination.
Senator Spooner today introduced bill
declaring chief supervisors of elections Off
GERS of the Circuit courts of the United
States. and charging them with the enforce
ment of national election and naturalization
laws, both in person and through their sub
ordinates, the supervisors of election.