The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-18

NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL Dis
CUSSED IN THE SENATE.
Wordy War IN the House Between
Bowers and Other Representatives
-Director-General Davis Appears
Before the House Committee on the
Worlds Fair Urging an Appropria-
ton by Congress in Aid of the
Exposition.
Special to the REcoRp-uNrox.

Exposition.
Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN
WASHINGTON, May lin the Senate
this morning Chandler introduced a bill
to authorize the registration of certain
steamships as vessels of the United States.
Referred TO Committee on Commerce.
Tie preamble recites that Austin Corbin
OF New York and an association propose
TO organize company TO be known as
the American Steamship Company, with
capital Of at least $40, 0CO000, for the pur-
pose of constructing and purchasing first
class passenger steamers to run between
the city of New York and ports of Great
Britain, and provides that all vessels
owned by such company of not less than
1000 tons, capable Of the speed of not less
than nineteen knots an hour, acquired
by purchase or otherwise after the pas
sage Of this Act, shall be entitled to re-
ceive American registers in accordance
with the conditions of the Act Of May 10,
1892, provided the company shall show
to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the
Treasury that it has built or contracted to
have built, i'll an American shipyard,
vessel OF equal or greater tonnage with
such foreign built ship; also, provided
that no register shall be issued to a for
eign- built ship until the company shall
have acquired or applied for the registry
OF at least two iOrclgn-Duilt ships, with
the specified capacity and speed.
The naval approximations bill was then
taken up, the pending question being a
provision for an increased navy
Mcpherson, who on Friday last offered
an amendment to strike out the House
provision for an armored cruiser and the
Senate provision for battle ship, and to
provide for three instead of one harbor
defense double-turret ships Of the mont
tor type, modified his amendment, leav-
ing the number of monitors at one.
Higgins of Delaware favored an in
crease i'll the navy, even if it involved an
increase of the national debt.
Villas OF Wisconsin said the amount of
the annual appropriation now imposed
on the country might not improperly be
described as appalling, and he did not
think the Senate should go further to-
ward increasing the navy under the pres
ent circumstances than the House bill
provided.
Vest of Missouri said he would vote
against the proposed increase in every
shape and form.
Allison of Iowa, Chairman of the Ap-
preparations Committee, asked the DEM
Ocratic Senators TO indicate what statutes
they would like to repeal in order to re-
duco the appropriations now necessary.
est replied that he would repeal the
sugar bounty law and the postal subsidy
bill.
Allison calculated the amount thus
saved at about eight million, and said the
country was asked to elect Democratic
President and Senate in order that the
sugar bounty and postal subsidy laws
In lGI
Vest replied that it would just be
starter.
Allison referred to the condition of the
public treasury, and among other things
said to the Senators who were distressed
about the sinking fund at this time: Il
will venture the assertion that it has
thlrty-tOur millions to its credit, and the
chances are before the end of the fiscal
year every dollar that ought to be applied
To it for the year Tor within q few millions
at least will be applied to it. When the
fiscal year ends we will have. instead of
bankruptcy, twenty-five millions sur
plus, and probably thirty millions. That
is the latest estimate and l have no doubt
we Will keep within it. | will venture
my statement on the twenty-five mill
IONS and say every requirement of the
treasury Will have been satisfied and
that there will be twenty-five millions
surplus on the lst of July next"
Mills OF Texas said the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury did not coin
eide with Allisons statement as to the
surplus.
Hawley of Connecticut said none of our
warshipS could go out to the open sea for
battle. They are splendid chasers, and
probably splendid runners, but what was
wanted was ut least a few OF the old kind
of 1872, and 1885, and 1860.
Finally vote was taken on McPher-
sons modified amendment, and it was
rejected-yeas Is, nays 50.
Morgan of Alabama offered an amend
ment providing for q harbor defense ship
to be built on the Pacific Coast. An al
lowance of 3 per cent. may be made on
its cost TO contractors, in addition to- the
contract price, to cover the cost of the
transportation of the material. Agreed
to without division.
The question required on the amend
nlent reported by the Committee on APP
preparations.
Cockrell of Missouri opposed it on the
ground that there was no absolute neces-
sity for the new vessels contemplated
and that the condition of the treasury did
not Justify such expenditure.
Without coming TO d vote on the ques-
ton the Senate adjourned.
IN TIE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON. May 1.-THE following
bill, among others, was reported and
placed on the calendar: For the survey
OF ship canal TO connect Lake Erie and
the Ohio River.
The regular order was taken no despite
the efforts of Holman to proceed with the
sundry civil bill, the question being ON
Walkers expunging resolution 1t was
referred to the Committee on Rules. and
the House went into Committee of the
" hole on the sundry civil bill.
Pickler of South Dakota moved To in
crease the appropriation TO meet the ex-
penseS Of protecting timber on public
lands from Si20,G03 TO $40 900. Lost.
During the discussion OF this motion
1 Otis of Kansas, Wilson OF washington
Bowers of California and Snodcrass OF
Tennessee engaged III noisy contro-
yersity as to whether the law was eff
GENTLY executed. Bowers and Snodgrass
had difference as to some remark that
was made by the former, or which Snod-
grass understood him 70 make, and al
though the lie was not passed, II did
Dot'' and on did, style of argunen5
was indulged in. to the amusement OF the
mem 6ers.
Pending action on the bill the com
mittee rose and the House adjourned.
WORLDS FAIR.