Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-16
TIE NATIONAL LAWMAKERS. Still Wrestling With Bills Con- taining Appropriations.
ENLARGEM ss"e OF THE NAVY
Asked for $ an Appropriation. Fast $ dI Service Not
 ; Be Cut.

WASH s ON, Feb. 15.-The house met today S' 'clock, and after the passage of few p- sate bills the naval appropria- tion bill for the year ending June 30, 1896, was taken up in committee of the whole, after having been on the calendar three weeks, it's friends having expected every week within that period to ask its consid- eration. The contents of the bill were ex- plained by MT. Talbert, democrat, of Mary land. The total amount carried was S31,- 807 ,023; the estimates originally made were S30, ,952 ,098.
 By agreement general debate was ordered to be closed at o'clock tomorrow. The discussion today was devoted to the para graph providing for the increase of the navy by the construction of three battle- ships aud nine torpedo boats. This was advocated by Messrs. Pendleton, demo- erat, of West Virginias Dolli- yer, republican, of loawa; Money, democrat, of Mississippi; Weaoock, demo- crat, of Michigan, and Myer, democrat, of Louisiana and opposed by Messrs. Simp- son, populst, of Kansas, and Everett, democrat, of Massachusetts.
 A conference was ordered on the senate amendments to the house joint resolutions extending for this year only from March to April 15 the time within which income tax returns may be made. At o'clock, under the rule, the house took recess until this evening, the evening session tc be for the consideration of private pension bills.
 IN THE SENATE.
 The last steps were taken in the senate today in the disposition of the postoffice appropriation bill, which had been under consideration every day since Monday. A final effort was made on the part Of the committee on appropriations to reduce the compensation of the railroad companies for the use of postal cars in the shape of an amendment offered by Mir. Blackburn to cut down the appropriation of s3, ,2O5, ,00o to the extent of 10 per cent, and the senate de. cided against it-yeas 19, nays 36. It had previously negatived similar proposition which had come over from yesterday and from Springfield, Mass., to Atlanta and New Orleans, the vote on that proposition being yeas IS, nays 31.
 Then an effort was made by MT. Brice to have the S196, 900 which is appropriated for this latter service divided with similar fast line in the west, from Ohio to Texas and Florida, but this met with no more favor than the others and was laid on the table by a vote of S2 to 33. And then the bill was passed.
 The agricultural bill followed and had not been finally acted on when the senate adjourned at 5:55 o' clock. -
 There was considerable discussion over an amendment reported from the commit  the law regulating the inspection of cattle and meats for exportation, and MT. Platt opposed any change in the law that looked to the propitiation of Germany. This amendment and others relating to irriga- tion, plants and seeds also went over, to be further discussed and acted on tomorrow.
 The house bill to abolish the dlfferential dr ties on sugar was reported favorably and without amendment from the finance com mittee and placed on tile calendar with resolution offered by MT. Aldrch to-re- commit it, with instructions looking to the re-enactment of the reciprocity aud sugar bounty provisions of the Mckinley act and to the reimposition of duty on wool.
 MT. Butler made a speech in advocacy of the pooling bill, but made no effort to have the bill brought before the senate. Mir. Coke reported a resolution, which was agreed to, for the establish ment of an experimental fish station on the coast of Florida.
 After short executive session the sen- ate, at 5:55, adjourned until tomorrow.
 About sixty mem bers were present at the evening session. A dozen private pension bills we're laid aside with favorable recom- mendations and at 10:20 p. m. the commit xI- I-<..xa .x.rI