Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-18
THERE'S NO DEFICIT
In the Strong Box of Old Uncle Sam,
Says Senator Allison, But
THERE'S SURPLUS OFs25, 100000.
Economical Senators Fighting the Naval
Appropriation Bill.
SHIP CANAL SURVEY ON THE CALENDAR

permission to erect ut their own expense, In
one of the public squares, colossal bust of
Baron Won Steuben.
Mr. Chandler introduced another bill to
give American registry to prospective
United States cruisers. 1t recited that
Austin Corbin, of New York, and his as
sociates propose to incorporate a company
under the laws of New York, known as the
American Steamship Company, with capl-
tai of at least SIC, 600, 900, for the purpose of
constructing and purchasing a fleet of first
class passenger steamers to run between
New York and ports in Great Britain, and
enacted that all the vessels so owned of not
less than 1000 tons burden and capable of
speed of not less than 10 knots an hour
which might be acquired by purchase or
otherwise by the company after the passage
of this act should be entitled to American
registers on the same terms as those granted
TO the steamships City OF Paris and City of
New York, and to all the other privileges
granted by the act of May TO- 1892.
The Naval Appropriation Bill.
The naval appropriation bill was taken
up-the pending question being the pro-
vision for an increase of the navy. The
House bill provides for one armored
cruiser of about 5000 tons displacement, to
cost exclusive of armament not less
than So, SOC, 900; and the Senate amendment
provides in addition for one sea going
coast line bsttleship, of about 8, 600 tons dis
placement, to cost not over 81, 900, 600; also
for one harbor defense double-turret ship of
the Monitor type with displacement of
about $500 tons, to cost not over S., 900, 900;
four light draft gunboats and six torpedo
boats
Mr. Mcpherson, who last Friday offered
an amendment to strike out the House pro-
vision for an armored cruiser and the Senate
provision for battleship; and to provide
for three, instead of one harbor defense
double turret ships of the Monitor type,
modified his amendment so as to confine it
simply to the striking out part of it, leav-
ing the number of Monitors at one.
Mr. Higgins made a speech fayoring the
increase of the navy, even if it involved an
increase of the national debt.
The Annual Appropriations Appalling.
Mr.. Villas referred to the present condi-
tion of the public treasury, and said that
the amount of annual appropriations now
imposed upon the country might, not inl-
properly, be described as appalling. He
thought that the Senate should measure the
supposed necessity for an increase of the
navy with temperance, with calm business
Judgment, and he was unable to think that
the Senate should so farther under the
present circumstances than the House bill
provided He should be glad to see even
that provision withdrawn, unless there ap-
peared to be greater necessity for it thau
he had vet heard suggested.
Mr.. Vest referred to Mr.. Sherman's state
ment some days ago that the Treasury was
confronted with deficit and suggested that
the warning would have been much more
appropriate and OF infinitely more utility if
it had been given to the last Congress 1t
was now very much like locking the stable
door after the horse was stolen. He would
vote with the greatest pleasure against the
proposed increase in every shape and form.
Ayery Pertinent Question.
Mr.. Allison, Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations, asked Democratic Sena-
tors to indicate what statutes they would
like to repeal so as to reduce the appropria-
tions that were necessary
Mr.. Vest replied that, so far as he was
concerned, he would repeal the sugar
bounty law and the postal subsidy law.
Mr. Allison calculated the amount that
would be thus saved at about IS, 600, 900, and
said that the country was asked to elect a
Democratic President and a Democratic
Senate in order that the sugar bounty and
the postal subsidy laws might be repealed
. Mr.. Nest-That would be Just starter.
Mr. Allison referred to the condition of
the public treasury, and, among other
things said: 81 will say TO Senators who
are distressed about the sinking fund that
at this time The sinking fund has S34, 000, 900
to its credit. and the chances are that before
the end of the fiscal year every dollar that
ought to be applied to it, or within a few
years, at least, will be applied to it.
Uncle sam Still Has Some Money.
"And l will say another thing, % he con-
tinues "When this fiscal year ends we
will have, instead of being in bankruptcy,
$25, OOO. 600 of a surplus. That is the latest
estimate / have no doubt that we will
keep within it. and probably we will have a
surplus of $50, 900, 600. 1 do not mean to
say that all the money appropriated will
then have been expended; we know that
that is never the case But what mean to
say is that every requirement Of the Treas
ury will have been satisfied and yet there
will be S25, 100000 of a surplus on the 1st of
July next"
Mr. Mills said that the report of the Sec
retary of the Treasury did not coincide
with Mr.. Allison's statement as to the sur
plus.
Mr.. Hawley said that none of our war
ships were ships that could go out to the
open sea for battle. They were splendid
chasers and probably splendid runners; but
what was wanted was few at least of the
old kind of 1872 and of 1855 to 1860 that
could walk out to the middle of the ocean
and say: "Here 1 am, with the Stars and
Stripes"
McPherson's Amendment Rejected.
Finally the vote was taken on Mr.. Nc
Pherson's amendment as modified, and it |
was rejected-yeas, Is; nays 80, as follows: |
Yeas-Messrs. Berry, Blodgett, Carlisle, |
Cockrell, Coke, Faulkner, Hill, Kyle, Nc |
Mills, Palmer, Pasco, PETER, Pet
tigrew. Pugh, Turpie, Villas and Voorhees,. |
Casey, Chandler Davis, Dawes, Dubois, |
FELTON,, Frye, Gallinger, Hale, Hansbrough, !
Hawley, Higgins, Hiscock, Manderson, |
Morgan, Paddock, Perkins, Proc |
tor, Quay, Ransom, Sanders, Sawyer, Shoup,
Teller and Wilson.
Mr. Morgan offered an amendment pro-
viding that if the harbor defense ship be
built on the Pacific coast, an allowance of
3 per cent NAV be made on its cost to the
In addition to the contract price,
to cover the cost of the transportation Of
The amendment was agreed to
without division.
The question required on the amendment
reported by the Committee on Appropria-
tions. Mr.. Cockrell opposed it on the
ground that there was no absolutely neces-
sity for the new vessels contemplated, and
that the condition of the treasury did not
Justify such an expenditure. Without
coming to vote on the question, the Sen
ate adj djourned.
A Little Amusement in the House.