Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-18
AT THE CAPITAL,
The Senate Discusses Naval
Appropriations.
Claims of the Lee Heirs Before the
House.
Lively Scene Between Bowers and
Snodgrass-They Misunderstand
Each Other But Keep on
Talking.

py the Associsted Press.l
WASHINGTON, May 17.--ln the senate
today Chandler introduced bill to
authorize the registration of certain
steamships as vessels of the United
States, which was referred to the COM
mittee on commerce.
The preamble recites that Austin Cor
bin of New York and an association pro-
pose an organization to be known as the
American Steamship company, with
capital of at least $l0,0OO,OOO for the
purpose of constructing and purchas-
ing frst-class passenger steamers to
run between the city of New York and
port or ports of Great Britain and pro-
vides that all vessels owned by such
company OF less than 1000 tons, capable
of q speed not less than nineteen knots
Der hour, acquired by purchase or other
wise after the passage of this act, shall
be entitled to be received by American
registers in accordance with the condi-
tions of the act OF May 10, 1892, pro-
yided said company shall show to
the satisfaction of the secretary
of the treasury that it has built or con-
tracted to have built in an American
ship yard vessels OF equal or greater
tonnage than such foreign-built ships;
also provided no register shall be
issued to foreign-built ships until the
company shall have acquired. or ap-
piled for register of at least two such
foreign-built ships with specific capa-
city and speed.
The naval appropriation bill was then
taken up, the pending question being
the provision for an increased navy.
Mcpherson, who Friday last, offered
an amendment to strike out the house
provision for armored cruiser and the
senate provision for battleship, and to
provide for three instead Of one harbor-
defense, double-turrst vessels of mon
itor type, modified the amendment,
leaving the number Of monitors at one
Higgins, of Delaware, favored the in
crease of the navy, even if it involved
an increase of the national debt.
Villas, of Wisconsin, said the amount
Of the annual appropriation may not
improperly be described as appalling,
and he did not think the senate should
go further toward increasing the navy,
under present circumstances, than the
house bill provided.
Vest, of Missouri, said he would vote
against the proposed increase in every
shape and form,
Allison of Iowa. chairman of the ap-
preparations committee, asked the DEM
ocratic senators to indicate what stat
utes they would like to repeal in order
to reduce the appropriations now neces-
Sary.
West replied that he would repeal the
sugar bounty law and postal subsidy
hill.
Allison calculated the amount thus
saved at about $S,000,000, and said the
country was asked to elect Democratic
president and senate in order that the
sugar bounty and postal subsidy laws
Anight be repealed. Vest replying that
that would just be starter. Allison
referred to the condition of the
public treasury, and among other
things, said to the senate:
TO the senators who are distressed
about the sinking fund at this time,
will cay it'has s34 100000 to its credit,
and the chances are before the end of
the fiscal wear every dollar that ought
to he applied to it for the year (or within
few millions at least) will be applied
To it. When the fiscal year ends we
will have instead of bankruptcy $25, ,00O,-
600 surplus, and probably $50, 900, 600.
no doubt we will keep within it. 1 will
venture my statement on the S25, ,000,-
600, and say every requirement of the
treasury will have been satisfied and
that there will be S25 900 900 surplus on
the 1st OF July next"
Mills OF Texas said the report of the
secretary OF the treasury did not coincide
with Allison's statement as to the sur
Plus.
Hawley, OF Connecticut, said none of
our war ships could 60 out to open sea
for battle. They were splendid chasers
and probably splendid runners. but
what was wanted was at least few of
the old kind of 1912 and 1856 and 1860.
Finally vote was taken on NcPher-
sons modified amendment, aud it was
xejected-yeas, Is; nays, 30-as follows:
Yeas: Mesers. Berry, Blodgett. Carlisle,
C0ckreli, Coke, Falkener, Hill, Kyle,
MCPHERSON. Mills, Palmer, Pas
soe, Peffer, Pettigrew, Pugh.
Turpie, Villas and Voorhees, is.
Nays-Messrs. Allen, Allison, Butler,
Casey, Chandler, Davis, Davies, Dubois,
FELTON,, Frye, Gallinger, Hale. HANS
brongh, Hawley. Higgins, Hiscock,
Manderson, Mitchell, Morgan, Had
dock, Perkins, Proctor, Quay, Ransom,
Sanders. Sawyer, Sharp, Stanford,
Teller. Wileon-3O.
Morgan, Of Alabama, offered an
amendment providing for harbor
defense ships to be put on
the Pacific coast, an allowance
of 3per cent to be made in the cost to
the contractor in addition to the con-
tract price, O cover the cost of transpor-
tation OF material. Agreed to without
division.
. The question then required on the
amendment reported by the committee
on approximations.
Cockrell of Missouri opposed it on the
ground taat there is no absolute neces-
sity for the new vessels contemplated,
and that the condition OF the treasury
did not justify such expenditure.
without coming to vote on the ques-
tlon, the senate adjourned.
ROUSE PROCEEDINGS.