New-York tribune., 1896-05-06
THE NAVAL FIGHT RENEWED.
CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR BATTLE-SHIPS
DEMANDED BY THE HOUSE.
1T REFUSES TO CONCUR IN THE SENATE AMEND
MENT. AID THE NAVAL APPROPRfA-
TION BILL rs SENT TO A CON-
FERENCE COMMITTEE.

TIoN BILL IS SENT TO A CON-
FERENCE COMMITTEE.
Washington May 5-The battle over the Naval
Appropriation bill was fought in the House again
to-day and there was more vigorous opposition
to the provision authorizing the construction OF
four batte-ships than was made when the bill
was originally under consideration, when the
fight was between four and six ships. But the ef-
fort to concur In the Senate amendment reducing
the number from four to two was defeated-yeas.
ST. nays, 141.
The debate was not at all partisan. Mr. Say
(Dem.. Tex.) made the motion TO concur. and
supported by Mr.. Cannon Rep. Ill., chair
man OF the Committee on Appropriations, VINO
pointed out that. with only two battle-ships pro-
vided for the revenues of the Government Tor
the four years of the next Administration. which
he said would ba that OF a Republican President.
would be mortgased by the appropriation bills of
this session to the extent Of s25 900 year. Mr.
Boutelle Rep.. Me), chairman Of the Committee
on Naval Affairs. stoutly maintained the desira-
bility and proprety of constructing four ships
and he was assisted in the argument by Mr.
Cummings Dem.. ~ ". The request OF the
Senate for conference TIE bill was agreed 10
after the vote on Mr. Sayers's motion.
Mr.. Savers expressed the opinion that this was
a business question, and that no politics was in
volved. He did not propose TO criticise the ap-
propriatlons made at this session. The appro-
priation bills. Independently Of the contracts au-
thorized by them he regarded as fair and reason
able and not extravagant. He directed the at
tention OF the House TO the estimated revenues
for the next fiscal year, which were placed by the
Secretary OF the Treasury at s464.793,OOO, incud-
ing the postal revenues. The appropriations
passed by the House amounted TO S6,0O0,00O. II
to these were added the permanent appropra-
tions amounting In round numbers to s119 900 900.
there was a total appropriation Of s5O5.oOo 900. as
against estimated revenues Of $464,OOOOoo
Mr. Boutcllc expressed regret that the gentle
man from Texas and those who agreed With
him had not vCuchsafed these economical views
at time when the attitude Of Congress onG a
part OF tn. public press might have been de-
scribcd as "namboyant" There was no telling,
he said what influence they might then have
had on legislation and good sense. lie referred
10 the action OF the House at the time the Dill
was passed stating that the Committee on
Naval Affairs found from Its first meeting a
Pressing demand from members of the House.
bclligerent aggressiveness. that 1t should go pe-
yond what II recommended. There was great
deal Of Cuba In the air then
Mr.. Cummings recalled the action or the SEN
ate last year on this bill. IL struck out one
battle-ship and then manoeuvred 40 that the
House never after that had an opportunity or
voting on It's action and was compelled to ac-
cept the Naval Appropriation bill IA II came
from The Senate. and thus the provisions OF the
constitution were virtually violated. He thought
the time had arrived for this House to stand on
its dignity and have some say with regard 10
appropriation bills at least
After further debate Mr.. Sayerss motion 70
concur In the Senate amendment reducing the
number OF battle-shps from four TO two was
rejected.
for a conference be concurred in. and the motion
was agreed to.