The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-31
II.-THR NAVAL BILL

harder time than either the Legislative. Ex-
ecutive and Judicial or the Naval Appropria-
tion bill. The temper OF the House Is illus
trated by the history Of the Naval bill. Tho
Chairman OF the committee is Col. Hilary A.
Herbert Of Alabama. This Is his third term
OF service as Chairman. He served In the
Forty ninth and Fiftieth Congresses. while
William C. Whitney was Secretary Of the Navy
He ably seconded Secretary Whitneys plan
for its reorganization. A prudent and saga
ctous man. he has been tried and firm friend
Of the new navy.
To the surprise Of the new members OF the
committee he advocated the construction OF
only one extra ship at the beginning Of the
present Congress. The New York member Of
the committee urged a rigid continuance OF
the policy outlined by Secretary Whitney. In
this he was sustained by prominent newspa-
pers in seaboard States. Col. Herbert. how
eve. determined to cut his cloth according to
his garment. lie scnsed tho temper OF tho
House. He was satisfied that it would not
take the initiative for the building OF more
than one ship at this session. The effect of
the Holman resolution as to economy was
such that he anticipated trouble over the one
ship proposed.
When tho Naval Appropriation bill came be-
fore tho House. Col. Herberts sagacity was
indicated. Although his bill appropriated
S9OOO.OOO less than was appropriated by the
Republican Congress. the House refused to
add more than one new ship to the list. A
proposition to add one battle ship and Ave
torpedo boats was voted down In Committee
OF the Whole-yeas 70. nays 80.
So the bill passed the House and went to the
Senate with Il provision for only one new
cruiser and this OF tho type OF the New York.
The Senate added eight or ten ships to the
list and sent tho bill back to the House. COL
Herbert was forced to call 1t from the calendar
on suspension day when 1t required a two
thirds vote. SO as to secure n difference COM
mittee. In the conference committee he held
MS own. he made the Senate yield about 81
Der cent OF their demands
Tho conferrees finally agreed upon one extra
battle ship. When the aGreem emit was brought
before the House tho sagacity Of the Colonel
was again made manifest. Under the lead OF
Watchdog Holman. who has always boon q
bittor opponent OF the increase OF the navy,
the House refused to ratiiy the agreement by
the decisive vote OF Jog TO 100. The refusal
was rtyeted by an able speech from Benton
McMillin. who bitterly opposed tho increase
1t Was emphasized by q resolution instructing
tho House conferrees to oppose to tho last tho
amendment Of the Senate This passed the
House so overwhelmingly that Col. Herbert
did not call for the yeas and nays.
1t was bad defeat. The Colonel however
was not disheaItened, Tho conferrees again
met The Senate stood firm. They would
not yield an inch more. They seemed de-
tArmined to show the House that they were
coordinate brancn Of tho Government. and
one that would In LIST upon recognition.
Back came Herbert into the House with his
report He made an able speech urging his
associates TO recede from their disagreement
Other members OF the committee oanvassed
the House. Herbert Is deservedly popular
The result OF the canvass assured them that
the House would recedc. The canvass showed
q majority Of twenty-seyen In favor OF con-
curing in the Senate amendment
In vain the Watchdog dexterously manipu-
lated his figures Tho Colonel was at
bis heels. and proved that they were
misleading. In vain did Benton MoMil-
lin again vehemently attack the propo-
sition. He was downed by as eloquent .
speech as was ever made on the door Of Con-
sFssA It came from the lips Of OIL John h