Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-09
BIG GUNS.


Mr.. German, one of the conferrees, made
a statement in regard to tn following pro
vision agreed to in conference on the sub
| Iect of guns: That contracts shall be in
vited by the Secretary of War by proper
notice and publication for the manufac-
ture, finishing. and assembling of eight
inch, tcu-Inch, and twelve-lnch steel
coast-guns from forgings procured I'M
der the Notifications act of Septem-
shall offer to finish, assemble, and deliver
any of such guns in proper condition for
use as completed guns at price fair 10
the Government. the necessary contracts
shall be entered into by the Secretary for
that purpose: and TO carry into effect this
provision the sum of 100000 is hereby
appropriated provided, that the finishing
and assembling Of not over ~ per GEN.
tum of each calbre of such forgings
shall be thus contracted for, and provided
further that all contracts made shall be
made 80 as TO fully protect the Government
from all loss or damage which may result
from imperfect work, the fault of the con-
tractor, and the work done hereunder shall
be subject 10 inspection at every stage.
He said that il was the best compromise
that the Senate conferrees could obtain,
and that under it there would be active
competition between private enterprises
and public workshops.
After some further discussion the con-
ference report was agreed to.
The conference report on the sundry
civil appropriation bill was then taken up.
INDEFINITE APPROPRIATIONS.
Mr., German, one of the conferrees, said
that there were a number OF items In the
report which did not meet with his appro-
val. but that there was no way by which a
conclusion could be reached except by each
house surrendering something. He called
attention particularly TO one feature OF tho
report which he thought the Senate ought
not to agree to. That was III regard to three
or four items for the payment of arrears of
pay and bounty to Two and three-year vol
unteers. The bill as 1t came from the
House had left the appropriations indef-
mite, using the words las much as may be
necessary" The Senate had inserted de-
finite amounts as estimated for. Thus it
had inserted $3.50 900 for the first item and
for all the items S725, OOO The conference
committee had struck out the definite APP
preparations. leaving the amount entirely
indefinite, and he gave it as his
opinion that the aggregate expenditure
would not be $725.000, but perhaps three
millions. The only apparent object of the
House in insisting on that point was, he
said, that on the face Of the bill the total
amount appropriated might appear so
much less. He thought that on that ac-
count the conference report should be
rejected. He said this, not as matter of
party, but as a matter of sound and or
derly conduct. The making of indefinite
appropriations was opening the door to
extravaganza.
Mr.. Call argued against the action of the
conference committee in striking out of
the bill all appropriations for the payment
to families of senators and members of the
balance Of their years salaries. He thought
that on that ground alone the conference
report should be rejected.
Mr.. Sherman expressed his regret at the
striking out of the items for the families
of deceased members and of the late Chief
Justice Waite.
The discussion then turned upon the
items of irrigation surveys and of public
lands and II was carried on ut much
length.
Finally TAP. NJ. the conference report
came to vote, and was agreed to-yeas,
~; nays H.. A further conference was Or
dered on the irrigation items which had
been postponed, and Messrs. Allison. Hale
and Gorman were reappointed conferrees
on the part OF the Senate.
The tariff bill was then taken up, the
pending paragraph being No. l34. page "a,
rs 70 hoop, band, scroll, or other iron or
steel. to which Mr., Butler had offered yes
terdsy an amendment Tin place OF Mr..
Ooke'O providing tina, such hoops ss are
used for baling cotton shall be taxed ct
the rate OF 50 per cent. ad vaiorem (present
ratel.
THE DUTY ON coTxc3-r1Hs.
NJ; Butler spcts e H amendment and