The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-09
NAVY OF THE NATION.
The Eill as to Aliens Passed-Trscy's
Costly Programme.

WASHINGTON, April Sin the House to-
day the committee on naval affairs called
up the bill to prevent the enlistment of
aliens in the naval service of the United
States. TIE bill further provides that aliens
now in service shall not be permitted TO re
enlist at the expiration of their present
term. Mr.. McAdoo said that the measure
had the hearty approval OF the Secretary of
the Navy. Under its provisions it " would be
but three years before the navy would be
manned entirely by American citizens
Mr.. Boutelle offered an amendmant that
the act shouM go into effect July /, 1891.
This would operate so as not to prevent the
re-enlisCment Of aliens in United States
vessels at foreign stations. This was
adopted.
Mr.. Lind of Minnesota offered an amend
ment providing that enlistment aud service
in the navy for five years shall be construed
to be residence in the United States for the
purpose Of securing citizenship. This was
adopted.
An amendment was also adopted permit
ting the enlistment of aliens in case of emer-
gency on foreign stations.
The bill was then passed.
sILCoTTs STEAL.
Mr.. Adams of Illinois called up the
| motion to reconsider the vote by which the
House defeated the bill making an appro-
priation to supply the deficiency caused by
| the Silcott defalcation.
In supporting the motion Mr.. Payson of
! Illinois reviewed the decision of the court
of claims in the Grain case. This decision
had been submitted by the attorney gen.
| eral to the Secretary of the Treasury for his
| recommendation in the premises. He Mr.
| Payson) had seen the Secretary of the
| Treasury and that official had authorized
him to state TO the House that the treasury
department was content with the decision
and that no appeal would be taken from it.
| Mr.. Holman moved to table the motion
TO reconsider. This was lost
The vote was then reconsidered, and the
bill was passed.
MONEY FOR THE NAVY.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the ma val appropriation bill.
Mr.. Sayers of Texas criticised the majority
| report on the bill as not being sufficiently
| explicit in regard to vessels now building
and proposed. There was need, he thought,
for more definite information.
| Mr.. Holman expressed his astonishment
at the magnitude of the naval programme
marked out by the secretary of the navy,
and initiated by this bill. He contended
that the existing navy, comprising 81 YES
sells of the first, second and third and fourth
classes, and not including smaller vessels,
was amply adequate for every purpose for
which the United States could need a navy.
He ridiculed the idea that the United States
was in vulnerable position. 1t was the
least vulnerable Of all the nations of the
world.
| Mr.. Peters of Kansas made an argument
very similar to MIR. Holmans. He criti-
sized the provision of the bill for 'thres bat
| tie ships. What was the object Of building
these ships2
MIR. Beutelie-To fight.
| A MATTER OF PRIDE.
| Mr.. Dolliver of Iowa said that the people
of the west were in favor of the reconstruc
ton of the American navy. With them il
was matter OF national pride. The couu
try could not get along with mere diplo-
| macy.
Mr.. McAdoo of New Jersey read from
| Jefferson's plea for fleet adequate for coast
defense, and to prevent blockade of our
ports. He denied that powerful navy was
a menace to a free people. A navy, unlike
an army, never endangered the liberties OF
the country, and should not excite jealousy
on that account
| After further remarks by Mr. Boutelle
and a speech by Mr. Lodge Of Massachu-
setts advocating liberal appropriations for
the new navy, the bill was taken up by sec
tions; but without completing its detailed
consideration the committee rose, and at
| 5:25 O'Clock the House adjourned.