The herald., 1896-05-03
THE F|FTY.F0URTA CONGRESS
Saturdays Session Sees Much
Business Done
THE NEEDS Of THE NAVY
Fail to Induce the Senate to Indulge In
Extravaganza
After Declining to Mako Many Proposed
Amendments the House Passes the
National Bankruptcy Bill
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press SDeclal Wre'
WASHINGTON, May 2.-After
weeks debate which has taken WIDE
range, the senate today passed the ma
val appropriation bill. The entire day
was given up to the subject. A large
uart of the time set apart for general
debate was devoted to political ques-
tions foreign to the immediate question.
The bill as passed is substantially as
it was reported from the committee on
appropriations, except the reduction OF
the number of battleships from four to
Two and the numebr Of torpedo boats
from fifteen to thirteen.
An amendment was adopted provid-
ing for the construction of three Of the
forpedo boats on the Pacific coast. The
senate refused to decrease the number
OF eeamen authorized by the house DILL
Mr.. Chambers amendment directing
the secretary of the navy to examine
into the merits of methods of propelling
ships by direct action upon the water
was agreed to.
The consideration Of Mr.. Chambers
amendment providing for twenty tor
pedo boats at cost Of $4.000,000 was
then proceeded with.
Mr.. Wolcott said that he had ben i'm
pressed by Mr.. Germans plan for econ
omy There was a fair prospect that
the unfortunate Venezuelan incident
would end peacefully and he thought
the administrations wise conduct on
the Cuban matter had avoided the prob
ability OF war with Spain. He was op-
posed to the amendment.
Mr.. Hawley said 1t was ludicrous to
talk Of a war of aggression by this coun-
try, but that the navy was shamefully
deficient in its essential particulars
Mr.. Lodge complained that the navy
had been selected for the exercise Of
economy when other appropriation bills
had been allowed to go through without
objection. He said the danger of trou-
BILE on account Of Cuba was not past,
and by preparing ourselves for the pre-
servation of the peace we might dictate
the policy of the American continents.
Mr.. German, in reply, contended that
the naval bill furnished the first instan-
oes of appropriations not necessary for
the support of the government. He de-
clared he had taken the same position
on the bill that he would have taken un-
der a Republican administration. He
said that a year ago the secretary of his
assistant had gone into the newspapers
and denounced him (Gorman) person
ally. This might have been on account
of the interest the administration was
taking at that time in the Maryland
elections
Mr.. Sherman said this country was in
no condition to undertake any unneces-
eary expenses and the house had made
sufficient provisions for torpedo boats.
He thought there was no occasion Tor
for war with any power. Mr.. German
demanded the ayS and nays on the
Chandler amendment. The vote re-
suited % yeas. 20 nays.
The committee amendment for thir-
teen torpedo boats was then agreed to.
Three are to have maximum speed or
thirty knots, not to cost exceeding $780,
900. and ten goats to cost not exceeding
$500, 900. These are In place OF the fif-
teen torpedo boats provided for in the
IL - t,nx n
speed of 26 knots and to cost $S75,O0O, and
ten boats to cost sS00,O0O
Mr.. Squire offered an amendment pro-
vtding for the construction or tnree OF
the torpedo boats on or near the racine
coast, which was agreed to.
The committee amendment author1z-
ing the secretary of the navy to contract
for the building Of two submarine tor
redo boats of the Holland type ana not
exceeding $175.000 was agreed to-.
After considerable discussion the SEN
ate refused TO agree to the committee
amendment striking out the house pro-
vision for an increase of 500 men In the
marine corps.
Mr.. Bacon, Democrat of Georgia. Of
fered an amendment which was agreed
to. providing that bids for armor for
vessels shall not be received II they ex-
ceed $3.50 a ton.
An amendment was offered by Mr..
Alien providing that one of the torpedo
boats shall be built on the Missouri
river. Agreed to.
Mr.. German offered an amendment
reducing from 1000 to 500 the number of
additional enlisted men for the navy.
Lost-yeas 23; nays, o.
Mr.. German said he did not wonder
that the senator from New Hampshire
was favorable to increased appropria-
ton, as portion of the increase would
be required to keep the Republican
party in power in Maryland in the near
future.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Hale
was agreed to, providing for an investi-
CATION of the claims Of contractors who
constructed battleships and who suf-
fered losses through no fault of their
own.
In speaking Of this amendment Mr..
Allen took occasion to declare that the
whole bill was "reeking with favoritism
and jobbing from top to bottom, in the
center and from cuticle."
The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Frey gave notice that he would
ask to have the river and harbor bill
taken up Monday
The senate then went into executive
session, and at $3.50 adjourned.