New-York tribune., 1890-04-14
THE HOUSE AND THE NAVY.
HOW THE REJECTION OF THE PROVISION FoH
BATTLE-sHIps WAS BROUGHT AB)UT.

HOW THE REJECTION OF THE PROVISION FoE
BATTLE-sHIps WAS BROUGHT ABoUT.
Washington. April l3 (Spccian.-Every friend Of
tho American Navy who may read the debate In the
House Committee Of the Whole the Navy bill will
be surprised not only because it ended in the adop-
ton of the Holman amendment to strike ont the pro
vision for three battleshps but also TO find so strong
feeling in that body in favor of reversing or trying 10
reverse a policy in regard to the Navy IN favor OF
which the Republican party has been coniml'ten lor
thirty years 10 which the Democratic party gave ltS
support as II came into power ana "hl'" 'n7
country has repeatedly approved. 70 friends OF fhc
NAVY and 10 other persons in Washington. who have
heen careful and wachful observers OF AFFAIRS here
durinc the past four months however the result does
not seem surprising
The seed of opposition to battle ships. and TO any
further increase Of the Navy As well. was soWn py
the premature if not Unauthorized. luthca'ioh oi
the report Of the Naval Policy Board whose recon-
mendatlons we're on 50 expensive not to say masnih-
cent scale ~ TO create actual alarm in many paris oi
the country which arc strongly represented III the
House BY men who naturally sen'NNe I"
the popular opinion OF the hour III 'o"
Ie.p-ctive districts They were st 'sScred by Visions
oi hundreds of war.hip,. f. cost untold huhurens Oh
millions of dollars. Perhaps they did not STOP u
reflect that the Navy proposed by the Policy BoaTd
wac what the late William Allen. of Ohio, would
have called "A blank barren deallty. that the pian
or scheme susc .sted wholly impra' icabe manly
lecau,e it WIS the offspring Of men who, however
eminent and di.cne1i hcl thcv may be IN thcir
chosen profc ons. losth T. realize that the che
end Of tbs Government ana ill., revenues Is not 10
tuild equip arm and maintain bigger ana mor-
nowerfnl navy than anv other Government. An
Army Policy Board doubtless would have recon-
mcnde1 that the revenues should 'c used u nn"
seaboard and lake coasts Win s,fohs iort'' ~,
lv thousands Of the heaviest Of moderh euio ~ =
that even the peaceful immigrant "ould Ic ,o'"p'i%p %
10 climb military rampant IN "lorT - en,, ~,
United States" Republican 'ta'eSina'! N~,aih'' ~ =
a day or two ago in discussing thr subject , Sm,n -
Board doubtless would have houtcd ann iamEEgi EEi"h
to scorn the scheme of the Mctann Hoard W,, IT, y.
bv the way is regarded all hands a. visionary
and Thoroughly mpnctica9lci o.. ,oeron,,a1 r,cm.
bcrs Of the House. the adverse vote OF thc 'oh.t,r zee
of the Whole "a, due m cosa1iaDH r, uoLIv nrr ro
attitude Of some senators VINO La.c Pupa'M Ph 70
claimed and advocated views respc' tnT thc i'ieas"
of the Navy. and the scale Of expenditure ,ele,U
during the coming year. when arc irsaT'' ~ MIN, ,,
Representatives altogether too liberal hnt l t'al
opinion does not by any means abSol'e me S'e ry"
responsibility justify its refusal to adopt the recon-
mendation Of It's committee.
The bill which that comntee % repr'eo was unnn ,e
long and careful study and investigation Of the subject
the M ana rfsfUn sss % S a one
even i'm Committee Of the Whole, was grave di.ap
Vas Justified in believing that the policy of C0ngIesS
In regard - the Navy had become settled The III!
new vessels which it proposed 10 authorize are wa,
concusvcy shown in the debate, HcccSsary 10 ay
worthy
fcnsiye purposes As Chairman Routellc stated m We
rcbatc IN, rho fonr wears Of President Cleveland
administration the appropriations under me head OF
"incrcase Of the Navy" amounted 10 S2s1 1880, an
.re,ce of 81 O2s $40 per year. II the battle ships
shonld he authorized as recommended by the com
,ittce the average annual appropriations under The
same head would be ~ .507 900. Jhat amount would
complete the period named not only me Three ba,tle
sbins hut all the vessels heretofore authorized nclud
10 tho cosf of armament. Tile latter comprise six
teen vessels authorized between March - lroo ana
March g 1850 the aggregate cost Of which excluslvc
=. .rnaucnt will amount TO about S3G.OOo.OOO. For
~ ,ncoc Shps some aI5, Geo. 600 has been already ap
prOlriatcd.