Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-14
HON.A.P.GORMAN TALKS
For Liberal Appropriations for Build
ing up the Navy.
HE KNOWS THAT EXPENDITURES
Are Running Beyond the Revenues Of the Govern
msnt but the Unwise and Unnecessary Pension
Legislation is TO Blame for it not the
Normal Growth of the Country.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 13.-In the
Senate the consideration OF the naval OIL
was resumed. The bill as it came from the
House provides for one armored cruiser OF
about 5000 tons displacement 10 cost lex
elusive Of armament) not more than =, 3,oOO,-
o00
The amendment as reported from the
Senate Committee on Appropriations pro-
vides (in addition) for one sea-golng coast
line of battle ship of about 1900 tons, and
to cost not exceeding q, 600, 900; one harbor
defense double turret ship OF the Monitor
type of about 1900 tons, and to cost not
exceeding $3, 600 900; four light draft gun
boats of from 900 TO 1900 tons displace-
ment, and to cost not exceeding S450,OOO
each: and six torpedo boats at cost not
exceeding $4,000 each.
Mr. Mcpherson, from the Naval Com
mittee, offered an amendment to strike out
the Honse provision for one armored
cruiser and the Senate provision Tor one
sea-going coast line-of- battle snip ana Tor
one harbor defense double turret ship OF
the Monitor type, and 10 substitute there
for a provision for three harbor defense
double turret ships of the Monitor type.
Mr.. German spoke of the great advance
made in recent wears in establishing steel
ship building plants in this country, so
that now. he said, great war vessels could
be built here for within eight per cent
of the cost Of building them on
the CLYDE. The progress had been made
under the policy of building up new navy
iuaugurated under the last administration.
He was therefore prepared TO voted 1or
proportional increase of the navy under
the present or next administration Since
the induction of Mr. Whitney into the OIL
ce of Secretary Of the Navy to the present
-, hod ynnf a n
picion as to the economical and wise eXpen-
diture of every dollar placed under the con-
troll of these two administrations. de
knew that the financial problem was
serious one Congress was being crltl-
ciZed in the public press ana
elsewhere for the great amount OF money
expended, and he thought it could be dem
onstrated that the expenditures OF the
Government exceeded the revenues. Inc
point had been reached when the expendi-
ture would exceed the revenues by twenty
millions. An expenditure OF 500, OOO,OOO
year was immense; and yet that sum would
be less than the amount that would be ap-
proprIated at this session. The eXpendi-
lures had grown from year to year, and
now economy aud careful appropriation
would have TO be the order of the day III
not. an increase Of taxation would have TO
follow.
The pension system has been swollen be-
yond the dream of any man in Congress.
1t was fixed. He knew Of no way by which
il could be now reduced. So it was with
other expenses of the Government, and he
knew of no great item that could De re-
duced. He knew that there had been ex-
pectations that there would be decrease
of from fifty to one hundred mlihons aU
this session. But the answer (and per
feet answer) to that was that the laws on
the statute books made this large expendi-
ture absolutely necessary II the great
works Of the Government were not stopped
and the steel industries of the country par
alyZed.
MIR Mcpherson intimated that if Mr.
German desired TO econOmize, ten millions
of appropriations might be struck from the
pending bill, and ten millions more from
the river and harbor appropriation Dill.
MIR. Hale-Where does the river and har-
bor bill come from but from the House,
that was elected pledged to economy'
Mr.. German presented table showing
the figures of appropriations Tor several
Congresses and said there has been an in
crease every year, no matter what admin
istration has been in power, and as the
country grows and you so on with the con-
struction of your navy and open the har-
bors and deepen the rivers and make great
guns for the army ard navy these expendi-
lures must increase. The Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. George) asks how can
they be reduced. They can be reduced
when we reach hepoint (Which will oe
within a year or two) of stopping
further construction of the navy. When
YOU have on hand guns enough to place in
the forts; when you have enough torpedo
boats to look after your harbors, and when
you stop your appropriations for rivers and
harbors; when you come to the pensions,
the expenditures for them--outrageous as
il was TO increase pensions to such an eX-
tent-must continue until time operates to
reduce them. Both sides of the chamber
must face these stubborn facts. Anxious
as am for economy, and as firmly as my
party believes in economy, | do not under
stand its history i'll supposed that it would
be an obstacle, do nothing, or would
paralyze the Government by striking 1t
at vital points.
After further debate and without action
on Mr.. McPhersons amendment, the Sen
ote adjourned till Monday.
RIVERS AND HARBORs.