Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-05
SLAVE TRADE
A Theme Of Discussion in the
,, Senate.
AcAdoo OF New Jersey warmly Bn.
doFsss Secretary Bisius's Rscipso
city Position.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4,-In the Senate
Blair presented the credertiAls Of his sue.
cessor, jacob H. Gallinger, and they were
placed on hle.
After 6 short executive session Cockreil
read yesolutiops Of the Philadelphia Mara
time Exchange protesting agAinss the pxss-
age OF the Senate bill Of May 1890 for the
monthly purchase Of 4 SOC, 900 eunces OF
silver. No such bill. he said. had been
passed by the Senate in May, 1890; yet
those "wiseacres" in Philadelph,s were
protesting against it. He cfiiaised severe
ly the views and action OF Edward Atkin.
son on the silve. and other economic Ques
tions. Mr.. Dawes took up the cause Of
his constituent and spoke snesrinsly Of the
illusions of those who bad srsduced him
This seemed to anger Cockrell. who ad-
vancsd to the aisle close to Dawes seat
and demanded to know whether tie had said
any word about Atkinson ths. vas no,
true; whether he could not tell what .
Democrat had sworn to without tradueins
Democrat.
Dawes drily expressed his doubt upon
tha, point, upon which Cockreil became
still more excited and declared it bsresth
Dawes position (, take such . underbsnd,
bsckhsuded way of meeting ths question.
The scene gave rise TO general laughter
Some further Interchange Of sentiment oc-
CURED between the tso senators, after
which the fortificsiion bill was taken up.
The amendment reported by the sppro-
priAtions committee, xppropristing $780,
900 for rified seacoast mortNs Of cast iron
hooped with s:eel, with Chsudler's amend
ment requiring them wholly Of steel, cave
rise 10 4 long discussion. Chsndier's
amendment was agreed to; then, at the
suggestion of Dawes, the committee amend
ment, a. amended, was rejected. The com.
ni,.se sm. ndment to reduce the item for
com pleting the army gun factory At Wx,er-
vliet, NY from $24s, ,743 to $t4s, ,743, was
agreed TO without division. The commit
tee amer dment to reduce the appropriation
for machinery at Waterviiet arsenal from
$46S, $50 10 $26s 900, was sgreed to With
out discussion. The committee amer men,
to Increase the appropriation for the bosrd
Of ordnance and fertilization, with which to
make purchases, tests of the most
effective gune, email arms, etc,
from SiC0 to $500 900 was discussed.
Chandler defended the bureau officers of
the army snd navy against the attack upon
them by Teller for hostility to all inven-
tions in arms and ordnance. except such as
made by military and naval men. The
fact berg (sccordipg to Teller) that all
greAt inventions have been made by civil
isns. The committee amendment was
sgrsed to.
Cock,ell moved 10 add to the paragraph
"Atd one sd dii.ionAl member shsll be
added to the board of ordoapce and ford-
fcatiou, who shall be a civilian (not on
ex-ofiicer of the army or pavy), and nomi
mated by the President. by and with the ai-
vice and consent Of the Senate, hold
ofics four years and receive a salary of
$1,000 and actual travelling expenses.
Chandler suggested two civilians.
Cockreil accepted the suggestion, and
the amendment was modified accordingly
and agreed to.
The last committee amendment was to
insert paragraph increasing to 81 $50 600
the appropriation in the fortfication act OF
last session for the procurement Of heavy
ordnance. After q long discussion it WAS
agreed 70. Dolph offered an amendment
appropriatipg one million dollars for plant
for heavy ordnance ut some point on the
Pacific coast, ard for the appointment. Of a
board to select the site. Amendment disa-
greed TO.
Blair offered an amendment for an inter-
national conference, looking to the sup
preston of Kidnapping in Africa, and of the
traffic in Intoxicating liquors. Runpowder
snd firearms, and 10 the reduction or dis
bsndment OF existing military and naval
establishments.
Sherman made statement to the effect
that the ratifica,i IN of the treaty sgreed to
by the Senate today would atsin the pur-
pose intended by the amendment, so far A.
the suppression of the slave trade and reg
ulstion or prohibition of the traffic in in
toxicatins liquors, firearms and ammunition
in Africa is concerned. The amendment
was agreed 10, and The bill was passed.
The Senate proceeded to the considera-
ton Of the military academy bill, There
vas but one amendment Chat amounting to
S500O) offered to the bill, which was agre G !
TO. and the bill was passed. The pension
appropriation bill was taken up and went
over as unf oished business.
The Senate proceeded TO executive bu,i-
ness ard at 5 adjourned.