The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-04
SUNDAY IN THE SENATE.
killing Time with Argument ON the
Naval Appropriation.

WASHINGTON. March 3.--When the Vice
Presidents gavel called the Senate to order.
at o'clock this Sabbath afternoon, by an
cient legislative fiction it was still Saturday,
March 2. Business began very promptly
with a request from Mr.. Jones (Ark) for
the consideration of a bill to approve a COM
promise and settlement between the United
States and the State of Arkansas Mr.. PEI
fer offered amendment to confine the
operation of the bill to issues between the
United States and the State, excluding in
dividual claims but before this could be dis
posed of Mr. Call. of Florida, presented the
second conference report on the Indian APP
propriation bill, showing a disagreement on
three amendments. Upon his motion a fur
ther conference was ordered. the Sem
ate insisting upon it's disagreement. Mr..
German called up the pending naval appro-
priation BILL and an amendment exempting
the Richmond locomotive works from pen
alties incurred in connection with the con-
struction OF machinery for the Texas was
concurred in. Mr.. Hoar interrupted the pro-
ceedings with a motion to table the motion
made Saturday by Mr.. Brice. to reconsider
the vote by which the Senate concurred in
the formal House amendment to the lottery
BILL To do this he was obliged to antago-
nize the naval appropriation bill, and the
yeas dHCi nays Dciib IidQ oil HIS iuutlOH IL
was lost-yeas II. nays 17-and the consid-
Grafton of the naval bill was continued. The
pending amendment was one reducing from
three to two the number of new battle ships
to be built.
Mr.. Hansbrough, of North Dakota, there
upon took the floor and argued that the
United States had nothing to fear from for
eign nations in the shape of a warlike at
tack. England had already captured the
United States financially; had undercut our
cotton spinners and had made $S,0OO,0O0 on
one bond deal. She would never make war
on country which producing such
revenue for her. Mr.. German proposed that
debate on the bill run till 5 o'clock a recess
to be taken until O'clock Some arrange
ment of this kind. he said, was necessitated
by the new plan of printing instead of en-
crossing all bills, but. the proposition meet
ing with objection, abandoned by Mr..
German. The question recurring on the bat
tie ship amendment, Mr. German proceeded
TO explain what he denominated the most
important provision In the bill. Although
the present appropriation for these ships
said. be obligated for a total debt OF siI-
10000 or 1000, including the ships and
their armament.
TALK OF ECONOMY.
Taken together the provision reported by
the Senate committee was the most liberal
ever made for the navy 1t was too liberal,
III MS peiltl, HtNlHS rebdTu 10 the conuitiOn
of the treasury and the fact that every busi-
ness house was economizing. Naval officers
themselves were divided as to the propriety
of building so many battle ships Several
such ships were now under construction,
none in actual service and no one know
their qualities. The introduction of nickel
and hardened armor had revoluuonized the
plan of ships and Ii was not wise TO go too
far. for in five years some genius might
N "A
where these ships would be antiquated.
There was need of small sheathed gum
boats for service in the south. vessels in
expensive to and not Obliged TO so into
dry dock every few months. When the
treasury overfowing We had made
liberal appropriations for new navy and