The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-03
A Broadside from Boutelle, Of Maine,
Regarding the Dynamite Cruiser
Vesuvius.
ALLEGED PARTIAL TRIAL.
Statements unsubstantiated by Evil
dence-The Appropriation Bill for
Pago-Pago Harbor Passed
by the House.


day Hauk. Tennessee. falling to get unan-
imous consent for private bill, announced
that he would give no unanimous consent
on requests from the other side. The
house then went into committee Of the
whole on the naval appropriation bill
Herbert was especially eulogistic OF the
dynamite cruiser Vesuyius and stated that
enough had been shown TO demonstrate
that dynamite guns were to be very eff
cient weapons, especially on land; whether
they would be equally efficient on the sea
was not yet assured.
McAdoo, New Jersey, said the recent
troubles In Samoa had made the country
painfully aware Of the needs OF naval ser
vice. Since s400 900. 900 had been wasted
on wooden ships and smooth bore guns II
has been mede humiliatingly aware
of It's inferiority as q naval power to
TIE least Of tue naval powers OF Europe
The rights of American citizens had been
disregarded by foreign nations. SO far as
the Samoan question was concerned, the
first thing which congress should do was to
ascertain all the facts. III American citi-
zens had been outraged; II any
American right had been infriDged, II
American property had been injured, ,it was
the duty OF this government, In the name
OF our people and in its strength, res0lutely
and calmly, but stubbornly, 70 assert that
right and resurrect the privileges taken
from us even II we do IL at the cannon's
mouth. He regretted that Prince Bismarck
had seen DIT to follow the nefarious colon
izing policy OF other European nations that
was ~ encourage STRIFE among the people
of the country they desired to acquire and
then, under cover Of protecting their own
interests, step in and steal land which had
been given 10 the people OF the country.
Bismarck seemed to have made up his
| mind that II would be 10 the advantage OF
Germany TO take this island. But the
United States had treaty rights and inter
terests ip Samoa, and when German war
ships opened fire II was the duty OF the
American government TO have protected
the honor and dignity OF the United States
with all the power of our people. lie be-
lIeved Bismarck had very wisely retreated.
McAdoo said there would be no war unless
we lay down and let Bismarck walk over
US. The remedy for these insults would
be found In a strong navy. We could not
permit the growth of monaichical institu-
tons in South America; we could not per
nit wholesale, unjustifiable and unjustified
acquisition by foreign powers In that coun-
try.
Boutele referred TO the recent trial Of
the Vesuvlus, and while hoping she might
be as successful rs she was claimed TO be,
he d ew what he termed q striking contrast
between the treatment accorded two YES
sells Of different political paternity-the
Dolphin and the Vesuvius. The Dolphin
had been tried fully equipped for sea and
battle. The Vesuvius had been tried only
on short trip, but without any weights
on board 10 represent what lshe would be
required to carry when fitted for actual
service. IL had been stated 90 him the
machinery for the vessel was too light. He
was told that on the first preliminary trial
valve, and that on her second
preliminary trial she had broken her main
valve gear; that on her official trial she had
completely broken one OF her fre-room
| blowers and on her second official trial she
had broken her air pump gear. IL was
strange no comment had been made on de-
| fects such as these. The explanation was
/ clear. IL was found In the fact that repub-
| lican papers and republicans generally had
not been desirous OF using the hypocritical
| methods used by democrats TO break down
the reputation Of and find fault with yes
sells built under republican administration
| In the shipyard Of John Roach. He had
been informed that on her first trial the
| Vesuvins had been tested over fOur-mile
course and failed. He never heard the
| official report Of this case. He had been
/
| had been cut down 70 two miles and
she again failed. BY request Of
the contractors the last trial
was made In deep water, and trial speed
made In deep water generally meant trial
| far away from shore, and trial speed far
away from shore might possibly furnish
more latitude for estimating the progress OF
| the vessel than would be furnished II she
were running along canal. He had been
informed the speed test applied 20 the
| Vesuvius did not exceed twelve minutes
| The test for the Roach ship had been six
hours. While In the trial OF the Dolphin
| 1t was made q special subject OF criticism
| that water had 70 be put on some OF her
| journals because they were heated. he had
been informed by an eye witness that when
the Vesuyius finished her trial trip, Ms his
Turkish bath"
An amendment was adopted appropria-
ting 100000 for the establishment Of n
coaling station at Pago- Pago, Samoa. The
bill was then reported to the house aud
passed.
The poAoffice appropriation bill was re-
| ported and placed on calendar.
The senate bill for relief OF occupants OF
the town of Flagstaff, Arizona, was passed.
Adjourned.