Morning journal and courier., 1893-02-04
SENATOR PLATT PROTESTS

Senator y. d. flatt 1s Thoroughly pa
triotic and far seeing man. He showed
both his patriotism and his foresight the
other day in his forcible remarks upon the
bill that provides Tor, more properly speak
ing, does not provide) for appropriations
for our coast defenses. He wants to see
proper progress made in this important
matter and he is very much dissatisfied
with the inadequate and picayune policy
from the house of representatives carried
an appropriation of $1,735, ,055. As re-
ported by the senate committee there was
an increase of $4,000. But the bill has
been greatly cut down from ths estimates
made by the War department, Senator
Platt gives his opinion of the performance
in the following direct and pointed way:
I regard this whole bill as evincing a de-
uberate determination on the part of con-
gress not to do anything particularly relat-
ing to our coast defenses or the fortifca-
tion Of our coast. For my part had juet
as lief that there should not bs in 1t pro-
vision for the manufacture of gun or the
purchase OF q site or a mortar or a gun car
riage as to have what we have in the bill.
It is entirely inadequate. Unless we are
going to adopt plan of Notifications in
some degree commensurate with our nsces-
stiles, 1t seems to me a great deal better
not to expend any money at all.
Senator Piatt further pointed out that
though the Chief of Ordnanee, when told
that he could not get very much, that he
could not get what the government ought
to appropriate to carry out existing pro-
jects for the manufacture of guns, said
practically that the least he could get along
with was $2,50o,000, this bill, although
amended by the senate committee, pro-
posed to expend s1,20o,O00 just half of
what he said was the lowest that he could
estimate, and the bill also provided that
only $500, 900 of the amount shall be spent
in the year between June 80, 1898, and
June 80, 1894. At this rate 1t would bs .
century or SO before We had any coast de-
fenses to speak of, and by the time the
work was finished it would have to be all
done over again, for coast defenses made
on that plan wouldn't keep pace with the
plans for coast attacks Senator Platt en-
tered his hearty protest against the queer
policy, OR lack of policy, and added
Mr. President, 1t seems We forget that
we have become great country; 1t seems
| that wa forget that to carry on the opera
tions of great country costs some money;
| and the f. cling of economy which seems to
! have taken possession of congress, in SO far
Is it neglects to provide for the necessary
expenses of great country, Is something
! which I caonoJ understand. If we do not
need any coaet defenses, If we do not need
: any fortifications. If we do rot need to
! build any guns, do not let US appropriate
: any money tor that purpose.
: We are not sppropristing money to
keep our shops in operation with our lin.
tied facilitie. for manufacturing guns. II
they not to be closed, their business is
to be largely reduced and many of the
skilled mechanics and persons who are
competent to manufacture guns are to be
dismissed from employment and to seel
other employment. Why appropriate
$500, 900 for next year for guns and CUR
carriages when, at the lowest, two milliopi
and half have been asked fora That sun
will merely keep the shops open and keel
few people at work; 1t will do nothing
practically towards providing for the de
fense of our country.
have not any patience with this kind O.
economy. 1t DOES most expe nsively wha
Is done; 1t does nothing which is sdequat
to tn. cunditi and needs of our country
AID had much rather zee this whole ap
preparation for gums stricken ont, and sc,
our chops closed absolutely, as they viii
be practically, than to 90 on with the ide,
that we have made soms appropriation t.
let the country understand that we hav
been doing something to provide for ooas
defenses and the manufacture of gun
which are needed for coast defenses.
Al q new administration is about com
ing into power, might as well cay nov
that hope the people who represent tina
administration will In some way arise to