New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-17
A NAVY OR NO NAVY.
DISCUSSION OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL
IN THE HOUSE.
LEADING DEMOCRATS OPPOSED TO HOLMANs
NIGGARDLY PoLICY-T1IEY JOIN RtPUB-
MCANs IN UNFOLDING THE RE-
PUBLICAN POLICY.
yBY TELEGRAPH 10 TIE rRIBUyE.l


Washington April 16.-Thc debate in the House to-
day on the Naval Appropriation bill was interesting.
Int the attendance Of members. especially OF Demo-
Gratis was slim. Chairman Holman, OF the Approprin-
lions Committee, delivered himself Of harangue In
favor of economy" and In opposition to any further
increase OF the Navy, the appropriations for which
durng the last seven wears he regards excessive and
oxtravagant. UnpariOtic and narrow rs lolmans
views are. there good many Democrats in the
House who sympathze with Them. and his amendment
will receive considerable support.
The effective speeches in favor Of Mr.. BOutelles
amendment delivered by Messrs Lodge. Cummings ana
Follows deserved better audience. Mr. Cummings
and other Democrats realize that it VIII be a
party bunder for the Democratic House TO call halt
in the Naval policy which initiated by the Repub-
leans In the third Of President Mthurs Admlns-
tYaton and which been Loyalty and effectively sup
ported by them ever since. well during Ceveands
Administration since the Inauguration OF President
Harrison Mr.. Lodge took high ground to-day. and his
speech like the delivered by Mr.. Boucile on Thurs
day. was unansweable argument in favor Of placing
the Navy a decent and respectable footing regard
hss of partisan politics TIE political complexion Of
the National Administration.
Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, spoke in support OF his
motion to strike out from the bill the clause for
the construction Of one armoried cruiser. lie asked
who was demanding great Navy What class OF our
people? What the emergency that required the
expenditure of this vast sum? What reason for this
building of new shlps7 Who were gentlemen
afraid of
membcr-Cbl Qaugher)
Mr. Holman-Chin? Let us remember the class OF
men and the spirit of the that we represent here
on the floor of Congress. Why, gentlemen, are you
afraid OF Great Britain? What has Great Britain
great Navy for what have other Powers OF
Europe got Naves for7 To protect their
shores and overawe their colonial possessions
Mr.. Boutelle-One reason for our having great
Navy would be to prevent them from anneXihg us 10
their outlying possessions at some oppotnne moment
Mr. Homan-Oh dear; nation which once IN us
infancy slapped Great Eritain in the face.
Mr.. Bcutce-Ah., but we have Navy DacR OF Us
infinitely superior to anything hat YOU are WILING that
we shall have today.
Mr. Holman--A Navy mprovised on the spur of the
moment built mp to meet an emergency
Mr. Boutee-Compo,ed Of the finest battle slips that
the world knew of at that time.
Continuing Mr.. Holman concluded that In brlef
space of time American inglnlty and American in
oustry could mprovise vessels that could meet the
most powerful ships in any part Of the world
Mr.. Fellows. of Ncw-YOrk. glad that the issue
had been drawn this question. lie hoped that
the country through It's representatives here would be
compelled to place itself record at once and for
ever as to whether 1t desired to stop the work
which was designed to sustain The honor
of the flag protect the honor end dignity Of the Amer
lean fame and which Il measure OF trucr economy
than any other that could come before Congress.
Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts said that gentlemen
had cot so into the habit of referring to the decline
OF our foreign commerce that they We're apt TO
forget that though II smaller than II ought 70 DO,
II was still very large. We needed the protection OF
the American flag over American SHIPS. The develop
ment OF commerce had always followed naval suprc-
macy our coasts were dcfencelesS.
Mr. Cummings OF New-Tork spoke In favor OF an
amendment of Mr. Boutelle and against the motion OF
Mr.. Holman. A square issue he said was presented
Navy or no Navy. The country expected far more
Than was contained in the amendment-leSs would not
satisfy IT. This party question; Ii was
Thoroughly National one.
Pending further discussion, the committee rose and
the House adjourned.