Omaha daily bee., 1895-03-03
WAS THE SENATE'S BUSY DAY
Naval Appropriation Bill Proved Zone ol
Contention.
DIFFERING. S HARnONlZE IN CoNFsRENC;
Not All Smooth Sailing In that Line, How
ever-Havc Agreed TO Let the Sugar
Bounty stand as Fixed
by the Senate.

pIOdCU OF inc Close Oh COUBTtSS THdlllesltu
itself today in crowded senate galleries. eager
claimants about the corridors and the hustle
and confusion of important measures hur
rleily handled The senate worked indus
triously throughout the day, and although the
naval appropriation bill invited flights Of
oratory on our new navy, the demands Of
time reduced this to minimum and made
rapid progress possible Throughout the day
and again at the night session there was a
determination not to lay it aside until passed
There were constant Interruptions, however,
as conference committees reported their pro-
gress in reconciling differences on pending
bills between the senate and the house. Early
in the day the fortfcations and agricultural
bills were finally agreed to and made ready
for the presidents signature.
The differences between the houses on the
Indian bill were partially reconciled. Five
others besides the naval bill are yet to have
differences harmonized. At the outset of the
debate on the naval bill an effort was made
to defeat the plan Of reduction made by the
appropriation committee. by which the house
bill was cut about $1,000, 600, ana the number
OF battleships reduced from three to two.
After a sharp debate, in which the need Of a
strong navy was discussed, the committee
was sustained. The speech Of MIR. Hill Of
New York was notable in urging that the
United States had won her greatest achieve
ments without a navy and usually used both
diplomacy and reason instead of cannon balls
and force. Mr.. German took occasion during
the day to state If the wholesale appropriations
stood as already made the total for this ses-
sion would exceed that of any session since
the government was formed
Mr. Call, democrat Of Florida, presented
the following telegram from DR.. Monett of
Tampa, Fla: 1.-TWO American citizens
sangu!iy and Aguirre-have been incarcer-
ated in Havana. Enter a protest and have
tho case investigated at once"
Nj. Call asked that the committee on for
eign relations act promptly and communicate
with the State department with view to
American Intervention.
, FINAL action was taken confirming the con-
ference agreement on the Notifications appro-
priation bill. Mr.. German in charge of the
naval appropriation bill cut off the rush of
private bills by utging the need of speedy
consideration Of this, the last of the great
appropriation bills. His plan prevailed and
the naval bill was taken up. The first item
, caused spirited debate AS proposed by the
committee the number of extra seamen to be
enlisted by the secretary of the navy in times
OF emergency was reduced from 1000 to
, | 1000.
, Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts, earnestly op-
, posed the reduction
Mr.. Lodge and Mr.. Aldrich paid high
tribute to the present secretary of the navy
a (Mr. Herbert.)
HOUSE WAS VERY GENEROUS.
, Mr.. German said this naval bill was one of
the most extraordinary measures that had
ever come to the senate from the house. The
Navy department had estimated it's total
expenses for the year at s3O,952, 900. The
house had increased this to $31, ,6S6 900, in
cludng three battle ships. so it was the
most exceptional bill ever sent here.
MIR. Hale said there was purpose tt
cripple the navy and the reductions had
. been the result Of wise economy. g,-
| Mr.. Hunt0n urpnhS fha huildipU IN of MI,
:. navy. He hoped the, senate would increase
- the number Of vessels and the seamen as
g g provided by the house. e~
Mr.. Morgan spoke Of the needs of strong
American navy. We could not, he said
q have great commerce with the world un
y less we took care Of 1t by a navy worthy o.
= | the name.
. Mr.. Hill of New York spoke from care
II fully prepared manuscript on the needs Of ar
l. American navy. He differed, he said, iron
\ the distinguished naval authority. Mahan
10 that no nation could become great withou
+ great seagoing navy.
IN Mr.. Platt said the respect of the worl,
j. increased or decreased according to the ma
n val strength Of the nation. 1t was this tina
10 gave Great Britain her prestige and wa
% now bringing Japan rapidly to the front a
,e a great power.
a Mr.. Chandler urged that the most practi
Of cal means of permanently building up tn
le navy was judicious economy on the lesse
e. items.
Of Mr.. German gave in detail the number O
new ships to be noated in the near futur
a. and said the most ample provision had bee
ty made for them. With great earnestness h
m added but 1t is time for the senator
at to consider the vast sums they have bee
appropriating within recent days. Senator
n should know IL these sums remain in tn
h. BILL this congress will be the most expensiv
r. that ever assembled since the adoption c
n the constitution. You will have appropriate
to $500, 900 900, greater sum than was eve
ne before appropriated. You have done 1t
I'd the face of a depleted treasury"
Mr.. Lodge declared the objection was nc
to economy, but to making the navy tn
only field for this economy.
hit The committee amendment reducing tn
he number of emergency seamen to 1000 wa
- then adopted, 81 to 25.
Final action was taken confirming til
On conference agreement on the agricultural al
to preparation bill.
ne GUNS FOR AUXILIARY CRUISERS.
g, Consideration of the naval bill being RI
~. ~ sumed, Mr.. Chandler moved to approprat
-, 100000 for the guns of the steamers Pari
~ !, New York and other auxiliary cruisers.
,a ,,a Mr. Blackburn urged there was no nee
in Of more guns.
III IN Mr. Mitchell at his juncture presents
'e the credentials of George w. Mcbride {
No. senator from Oregon for the term beginnir
ne March 4, next, to succeed Mr.. Dolph.
na Mr.. Sherman said the pacific condition
'iSS affairs made 1t certain there would be i
,,N ~ possible use for these ships for years.
ro The partial report on the Indian appropr
~, | tion bill was presented and confirmed and Il
80 items of disagreement sent back to confe
In | ence. ~
~ ~ Mr.. Squire spoke against the commits
ias amendments reducing the appropriation Il
va w Puget sound naval station from $275,000
a., $4,000 The item was pending, when,
,y 5:45, the senate held brief executive sessio
a., "a and then took recess until o'clock
~ 80, The senate resumed work at p. M, al
,,h ,h the following bills were passed: To amer
W he the act for the relief Of certain volunteer al
iss regular soldiers OF the late war and the WI
M ~. with Mexico; to amend the act incorporate
ips the American university; to amend the act
aa to liens OF judgments and DEGREES OF Unit
"u States courts.
Consideration Of the naval bill was tn
resumed. Mr.. Squire resumed his speech
the Puget sound naval station, and aft
he speaking an hour, Mr.. German consented tn
Ter tho item be placed at $3.50, 900.
g's The senate conferees on the diplomat
er- and consular appropriation bills reported
I'VE this point they were unable to agree on I
cir appropriation of $500 600 for beginning t
'uT Hawaiian cable. Mr.. Blackburn said I
,ed most strenuous efforts had been made q
ION the struggle could be continued no long
cry Rather than clog the whsels Of our forei
ne service Mr.. Blackburn said he would mo
Vi to recede from the cable amendment
A ~