Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-05-29
BATTLE SHIPS.
The Senate Passes the Naval APP
preparation Bill
Si2,OOO,OOO FOR THREE NEW SHIPS.
CockrelFs Amendment Throwing Out the
Appropriation Rejected-Blair Offers
Peculiar Motion-Hawley on
Coast Defenses.

WASHINGTON, May 27.-Hon. John G..
Carlisle, of Kentucky, ex-Speaker OF
the House of Representatives, appeared
on the floor of the Senate yesterday
morning and, Immediately after the
reading of the :ournal, on the arm of his
colleague, Mr.. Blackburn, made his way
to the left of the Vice-President's desk,
where the oath was administered by Mr..
Morton.
Mr. Plumb introduced bill to provide
for the purchase of silver for use as
lawful money, and said it had been
prepared by Banker st. John, of New
York He desired to introduce it with
the Endorsement of Mr. st. John on ac-
count of his recognized position on
financial questions. 1t also met with
his own approval. The bill was referred
10 the Finance Committee.
Mr.. George, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported bill subjecting Ma
tional bank notes and treasury notes to
State taxation. 1t was placed on the
calendar.
The resolution heretofore offered by
Mr.. Call calling for information as to
the landing of an armed force from the
revenue cutter McLane at Cedar Keys,
Fla, was taken up, modified and agreed
70.
The Senate then resumed cOnsidera-
tion of the Naval Appropriation bill,
the pending question being on Mr.. Cock
rell's amendment to strike out the pro-
vision for the construction of three
heavily armed battle ships at cost of
$4,000, 900 each. Mr.. Cockrell quoted at
considerable length from a report of a
naval board till he came to the declara-
tion that 1.-The United States must main
tain navy at least equal in strength to
the most powerful navy in the world"
"What document is the Senator read
ing from?" Mr.. Hale asked.
81 am reading from the report of the
policy board, was Mr.. Cockrelrs reply.
Mr.. Hale answered: SIT would be diff
ficult for the Senator from Missouri to
find Senator on this floor or any re-
sponSible official of the Government, in
Guiding the Secretary of the Navy, who
is in the least degree in favor of the re-
port of the policy board. 1t is no Won
der that the report did send a note of
alarm throughout the country. That is
why the legitimate progress which we
ought to make in building a respectable
navy has been hindered."
Mr.. Cockrell rejoined: THE Secre-
tary of the Navy has adopted that re-
port in part and l will show the extent
to which he has adopted It." He then
read the Sccretary's letter in which he
recommended the construction of seven
teen battle ships, twelve coast defend
ers and t1enty-nine unarmored vessels.
The Secretary of the Navy recommend
ed an expenditure of S135, 600, 600 in the
construction of naval vessels. The re-
port of the policy board was only in ac-
cord with the recommenda tions to the
army board ON fortifcat ons looking to
the expenditure of $12G 900, 600 to build
a Chinese defensive wall around
the borders of the United States
on land and sea, for fear lest some
irOn-clad of foreign country might
make an attack on some cities, towns or
villages and might dem and a contribu-
ton. There was no occasion for the
construction of coat defCnses or for an
increase of the naval establishment,
but the temptation for all such schemes
Of expenditures was the surplus. Itwas
well, however, for the Senate to remem-
Der that the surplus was already gone.
1t was only myth to-day. When the |
legislation Of this Congress was fin |
iShed there would be no surplus; and the |
people of the United States might be |
very happy If taxes did not have to be in |
creased. For these reasons he believed |
1t was not wise, expedient, iudicious or |
polite to engage in the construction of |
great battle ships. There was no neces-
sity for it in order to protect the Nation |
al honor. The American flag was per-
fectly safe in every part of the earth
and among all nations, kindreds and
tongues. The United States could RELY
0n securing justice without any mani
of physical or visible force.
He trusted, therefore, that his amend
nent would be agreed to and that the
provision for three battle ships would
be stricken out
Mr.. Voorhees, said the American peo-
Die we're no more in favor of increasing
,he navy of the United States and hav-
ng great standing navy than they
we're in favor of a large standing army.
lie represented one of the States in the
Valley, in which he doubted
vh"ther fifty men could be found who
would approve of the appropriation of
$4,000, 600 at this time for three battle
hips. He had great faith in the ability
If the American people to get ready
whenever an emergency arose. He pro-
eSted in behalf of an overburdened and
'vertaxed people against any PROPOSE
ion looking to mighty standing navy.
Mr.. Butler said he would not onlv
'Ote for the appropriation for three bat
lie ships and cruiser, but he regretted
hat it was not in his power to vote for
light battle ships instead of three, as
Ie should do without hesitation While
e did not look for war between the
Jnited States and Great Britain il
hould be remembered that there are
ONE delicate and difficult questions
ending between the two Governments.
lie hoped that they might be settled by
egotiatiOns or by arbitration, but so
0ng as human nature was as it was it %
-ould be unsafe to assume that the
'uited States was in no danger of col
sion with foreign power. He trusted
nat the amendment of the Senator
'om Missouri would not prevail
Mr.. Blair moved to amend the pro-
isioD for the three battle ships by in.
erting the following: But this pro-
sion shall not be available until the
overnment of Great Britain shall have
zen requested by the President TO
lthdraw all her naval forces from
merican waters, and to dismantle her