The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-14

Algers. La, the regular consideration of
the bill was resumed at the point where an
Increase Of the navy is ITOyided for The
bill as it came from the House provides for
one armored cruiser OF about 5000 tons dis
placement, to cost. exclusive of arnamen I
not more than So 100000. The amendment,
as reported from the Senate Committee on
Appropriations provides in addition for one
sea-going coast-line battle-ship of about
5000 tons, to cost not exceeding S4. 600, 600;
one harbor defense doube-turret ship OF
moultor type OF about 1900 tons and to
cost not exceeding S3,000,000; four light
draft gun-boats Of 500 to 1900 tons displace-
ment and to cost not exceeding $3.50, ,000each.
anG six torped0-boats at n cost not exceed
ing $4,000
Mcpherson from the Naval Committee
offered an amendment to the Senate amend
ment providing for three harbor-defense
double-turret ships of the monitor type IN
stead OF one ship. After long discussion
the amendment was SO modified as to strike
out the House provision for one armored
cruiser and the Senate provision for one sea-
going coast-line battle-ship, and for one
harbor-defense double-turret ship of the
monitor type and substitute therefor pro-
vision for three haTbOr-defenSe, double-tur-
ret ships of the monitor type.
German spoke OF the great advance in re-
cent years in ship-building establishments.
Steel war vessels could now be built here
for within per cent of the cost of building
them on the Clyde. This progress is due to
the policy of building new navy, which
policy was inangurated under the last ad-
ministration. He, therefore, was prepared
to vote for propOrtionate increase of the
navy. He knew the financial problem was
a serious one, and Congress was being
criticized for the amount OF money eX-
pended. The expenditures had grown from
year TO year, and now economy and careful
appropriation would have to be the order
H. d.. - ff~.., ~ Il
follow, and still he knew OF no great appro-
priatiOu that could be reduced without
stopping the great works of the Govern
ment and paralyZlng the steel Industries OF
tie country. lie, for one. was not pre-
pared. until the country should havea navy
that it could be proud of, TO allow the cry
of economy to prevent him from voting for
proper appropriation for it,
German presented table showing the
figures Of the appropriations for several
Congresses and said: There has been an
increase every year, no matter what admin
istrati0n was in power. and as the country
grows and you go on with the construction
of your navy and open the haTb0rS and
deepen the rivers and make great guns for
the army and navy these expenditures must
Increase. The Senator from Mississippi
(George) asks how can they be reduced.
They can be reduced when We reach point
(Which will be within year or two OF
stopping the further construction OF the
navy, when you have on hand guns enough
to place in the forts, when you have enough
tOrDedo-boats to look after the harbors and
when you stop your appropriations for
rivers and harbOrs. When you come to the
pensions the expenditures for them, out-
rage0us as it was to Increase the pen
siODs to such an extent, must continue
until time operates TO reduce them,
Both sides OF the chamber must face
these stubborn facts. The Senator from
Texas (Mils) has reminded me that the
treasury would be without money to-day
but for the fact it has taken the money set
aside for the redemption of national bank
notes and for the sinking fund, as sur
plus is a thing OF the past. How is the
matter to be bettereG? We are pOwerlesS
now, in this Congress, to give relief from
eXtravagant appropriations, or from unjust
tax laws. That relief can come only when
we shall have every branch of the Govern
ment. Anxious as | ain for economy, and
firmly as my party believes in il, l under
stand my party 10 mean by economy and
retrenchment that it is in favor of every
proposition that looks to the development
and glory of this great country.
After further debate and without action
on McPhersoG'S amendment the Senate
adjourned until Monday