The record-union., 1896-04-15

NUMBER or guns or the number OF men
that could be assembled within that
time for her defense. (Applause.) Mr..
Chairman, 1 hope the bill will pass.
Baker (Rep.) of New Hampshire ex-
pressed his qualification that the bill
was so much better than those OF pre-
| ceding Congresses, but regretted that
the committee had recommended an ap-
preparation of all the money that could
be expended for Notifications in the
year and authorized contracts for addi-
tional work, money for which would be
provided in the coming session of Con-
gress.
Cannon emphasized the statement
| made by Hainer that this bill would do
as much work as had been accomplished
by all the fertilization appropriation
bills passed since 1882 The only oppo-
sition to the bill came from Berry
(Dem.) of Kentucky, who said that the
expenditure Of money would be more
profitable if it were put into the con-
struction of the best type of battleships
and coast defense vessels which could
be assembled at any point threatened by
| foreign foe, instead of for fixed bat
| teries.
The bill was read, and without amend
ment was reported to the House and
passed without division.
| At 4:2o O'Clock, on motion of Hainer,
the House adjourned until tomorrow.
IN THE SENATE.
| WASHINGTON, April 14.-After a
| speech in the Senate to-day by Squire
| OF Washington in support of his bill
making large appropriations for sea-
coast defenses, the rest Of the session
was taken up in the consideration Of the
Delaware election case, Chandler Of
New Hampshire arguing at great
length in favor Of the claim of Dupont
| to the vacant seat in the Senate.
The other side of the case is to be sus-
| tanned tomorrow by the Senator from
Delaware, Gray, who holds that Gov
ernor Watson was entitled to cast his
vote in the Legislature as a State Sen
ator and Speaker Of the Senate, and
that having SO voted there was no ma
jority for any candidate.
After some routine business Squire
(Rep) Of Washington addressed the
Senate on the subject of the national
defense. He said:
What an absurd spectacle has the
Congress of the United States presented
during the present session by it's per-
sistent talk in favor of the interven-
| ton by the United States in behalf of
Cuba and Venezuela. Every man
who has informed himself on the sub
jetc of national defenses knows that as
a nation we are not in condition to I'M
dertake war or suffer war. The peo-
pie do not know how shamefully their
interests were being banded and
played with by those who represent them
in the halls of Congress. They suppose,
in the simplicity Of their hearts, that
we are prepared to protect ourselves in
case Of war with any Of the second or
third-class Powers, or even against a
first-rate Power. They know that the
nation has millions Of brave and patri-
otto men who would gather at the call
to arms. But they do not know that
there is no means of arming these hosts
upon the emergency that may arise.
They do not know that the great sea-
coast cities through which extend the
arteries of trade and commerce with
each other and with the people Of for
eign lands-populous though these cities
may be and teeming with wealth-are
yet exposed and defenseless against at
outnumbering ours in strength.
THE bilT presented by the Commit
tee on Coast Defenses is intended to
meet the wants of the nation. 1t has
received the approval Of the Secretary
of War and of the Chiefs Of the two
great Departments Of Engineers and
Ordnance. If it shall be adopted pro-
vision will be made for the construc-
ton of the Notifications necessary for
the defense Of the principal seacoast
cities of the United States. The ag-
gregate number of direct-fire, high
power guns of all calibers required is
511; the aggregate number of mortars
Is 1,Oo6; for the construction of these
guns, emplacements and carriages
about eight years will be required, and
the sum Of at least $50, 100000. It is
provided in the bill that the sum of
only $10,OOO,00O be appropriated for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1897,
and that an expenditure be authorized
of 100000 600 for each Of the succeed
ing seven fiscal years ending June 30.
1904; thus the tax would be compare
lively light for each year, not equaling
that of the river and harbor bill, which
for the past ten years has averaged
annually between $13, 10000 900 and $14,-
O00, 900.
Think Of it; S219, 916,317 50 has been
appropriated since 1872 for the i'm
provement of rivers and harbors; that
is. for the benefit of commerce, and yet
I'VE have been so afflicted with coast
defense blindness that we have ex-
pended only S10,OO0,C0O or S11. 900, 600
for the protection of these harbors dur
ling the same period
|. At the close of Squire's speech the
Dupont election case was taken up, and
Chandler (Rep.) of New Hampshire ad-
dressed the Senate in advocacy Of Du-
points right to the vacant seat in the
Senate ! from the State OF Delaware.
He closed at 4:30 o'clock, when Gray
ilDern.j of Delaware took the floor, but
reserved his argument against Dupont s
right until tomorrow.
Il The following bills were taken UP
from the calendar and passed: Senate
Isbill relieving the personal representa-
ltives of John Sherman, Jr., late United
Estates Marshal in New Mexico; Senate
iEbill for the relief Of the estate of Ram
SAY Crooks, appropriating S9,719.
/ The Senate at 5 p. m. adjourned until
tomorrow.
~nUrNrTrnrrvrrD CIR NM