The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-06
IN THE HOUSE.
The Battleship Debate Continues and
Much Is said.

Washington, May 5.-The opponents
Of four battleships sustained an over
whelming defeat i'm the house to-day
on the proposition to accept the senate
amendment to the naval appropriation
BILL reducing the number to two. Say
ers, Texas, ex-cfhairfnan of the appro-
priations committee, made the motion
and in its support argued that the
question presented was purely a busi-
ness one and appealed to the house not
to allow political matters to influence
its judgment. He proceeded to con-
trast the appropriations OF the present
session with the available revenues
The direct appropriations for the next
fiscal year, as they passed the house,
were $505, 600, 000 while the total esti-
mated revenue was but S464 .000, 600 II
no provision We're made for the sink
ing fund $3.50. 900 000), the total outstand-
ing direct obligations would be S455. =
100000. leaving a working balance Of
$9,00O0O0. But in addition contracts
We're authorized in the sundry civil
bill and naval and Notifications bill
aggregating sos. 900 900. In other words.
there would be nine millions of dollars
to meet almost a hundred millions of
expenditures. With this situation star
ing congress in the face. he argued
that Ii was wise to rotrench.
Boutelle, chairman of the naval COM
mtttee, who replied 20 Sayers thought
II unfortunate that these business
facts" had not been brought into the
bouse when we were undertaking to
regulate boundary lines in South Amer
lea and in othe1. ways asserting the
primaoy Of the republic. Not a sugges-
tion was made then that less than
four should be authorized. At that
time also. he said, he had the best OF
reasons for believing that the senate
would agree TO four ships: indeed. the
fear was that the upper branch of con-
gress would go further and authorize
six.
Cummings, democrat. New York. in
opposing Sayers' motion. criticised that
gentleman for proposing to surrender
TO the senate without firing a gun. He
recalled the manner in which the sem
ate had forced the house to accept its
amendment to the last naval appro-
priation bill and to accept the tariff
bill with all its errors" He argued
that 1t was time for the house to make
a stand against the arrogance of the
American house Of lords"
Cannon. chairman of the approprla-
tiOns committee took a strong posi-
tion in favor Of Sayers' motion on the
ground of the inevitable deficiency in
the revenues for the next fiscal year.
This congress. he said. was mOrtg ging
the future for S100. 900. 600 That meant
the charge Of $4,000 0000 per annum for
each year Of the next republican ad-
Put We will raise additional reVe-
nue." suggested a representative.
Yes" agreed Cannon. but II will
require IS months to write a new reve-
nue. bill on the statute books In the I
meantime. II we put a mortgage on
the trea sury we viii be obliged 10 bor-
row money 20 pay il Off. The gentle /
men on this side Of the house must /
understand this"
lie did not want his motives 10 be 1
He stood ready 20 see /
public buildings and public works in 4
his section stand still if necessary for /
the defense Of the honor OF the coun- /