The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-30
1.-THE F|FTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
THE NAVAL BILL OCCUPIED THE
TIME OF THE SENATE THE
ENTIRE DAY.
IN ANIMATED DEBATE OCCURRED
On an Amendment to Prohibit Retired
Naval Officers Entering Service of
Armor ntractOrs-House Dis
cusses the Pension Bill.

Washington, April 27.-The naval ap-
preparation bill was before the senate
throughout the day.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Chand-
Ter making it unlawful for retired naval
officers to enter the service of contractors
furnishing armor. ETC., to the government
occasioned an animated debate, which
gradually broadened into discussion of
the question of armor plate.
Mr.. Tillman, among the most active
in support of the amendment, speaking
of the efforts to cheat the government and
the tendency of millionaire contractors to
thrust their hands into the pockets of
Uncle SAM"
Mr.. Chandler and Mr.. Hale supported
the amendment, and Mr.. Gray and Mr..
German opposed it. The amendment
was not disposed of when the senate ad-
journed.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, April 27.-Mr. Chandler
(Rep) of New Hampshire, presented an
amendment to the bill concerning elec-
ton frauds in Alabama and the naval af-
fairs bill was then taken up. The main
items are four ships designed to carry
the heaviest armOr, to cost $315,0O0 each;
three torpedo boats having a speed of 30
knots, to cost $S00,000, and ten torpedo
boats to cost S500,000.
Mr.. Quay offered an amendment in
creasing the appropriation for reserve
guns for auxiliary cruisers from S250,OOO
to 100000.
Mr.. German commented on the delay
in furnishing arms at the Washington
navy yard. AT one time the work had
been much expedited, probably as re.
suit of war talk. But of late the CON
tractors had failed to furnish the jackets
ETC., of guns and this had occasioned de-
lays. The senator doubted the expedien
cy of providing for lot of new guns and
following it up with many ships, in view
of the present condition of the treasury
Mr. Stewart remarked that there was
$3.50, ,OOO, 900 cash balance in the treasury
"Yes, and considerable silver also,
said Mr.. German.
After further debate. Mr.. Quay's
amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Perkins Rep.) of California. NOV
ed an amendment appropriating $100.O0(
| for n naval training school at Verb,
| Buena, Cal. He argued that American
ships should be manned by Americana
and that it was desirable to foster pa
triotic spirit among American seamen.
| Mr.. German made vigorous opposition
He declared that this was the first stel
toward project which might cost from
one to five millions, and yet it wa
brought on without an estimate. III,
said the appropriations secured by th
| Pacific coast senators would long stan,
as an evidence of what can be secured
through persistency. He appealed to MI
Perkins to withdraw the amendment.
| The California senator consented t
having the appropriation cut to $4,000
saying the liberal people of California
would make up the balance.
Mr.. Lodge Dem.) of Massachusett
supported the amendment.
Mr.. Halle Rep) of Maine contende
that naval training should be on shi
board and not on land.
Mr.. Perkins withdrew his amendment
Mr.. Chandler offered an amendmen
making it unlawful after June 3O 1896
for naval officers to be connected wit
concerns for furnishing armament or 9th
er equipment to the government.
He said the habit of allowing naval OF
ficers, retired on three-fourths pay, to Ell
ter the service of contractors dealing wit
the government was very Objectionable
These officers had facilities for KNOWN
what was going on at the navy depart
ment and it was improper that service t
the government and service to the col
tractors should run together. He sal
there were several specific cases shown
the Objectionable character of this servic
but he refrained from mentioning then
as the navy department had sanctione
this service.
Mr.. Gray contended that it was unjus
to restrict the service of naval Office
ON the retired list.
Mr.. Hale said the naval contractor
were steadily seeking to get an advantag
over the government for profit to then
selves, and naval officer was thu
placed in position of serving the cor
tractor against the government and tn
government against the contractor.
Mr.. Allen Pop.) of Nebraska asked fo
information as TO the Irregularities.
was explained by Messrs. Chandler an
Hale that the results of the investigatio
had not been made public.
Mr.. Hale said, however, that no col
ruption had been shown against navl
officers.
Mr.. Chandler said that wheE the navi
committee examined into naval affair
at the Carnegie and Bethlehem work
it turned out that two retired navi
officers were in the employ of the works
| Mf. Bacon IDell.J VI peoiSni o"iu =.
two officers who appeared before tn
committee declined to give informatio
as to cost of the armor plate, as it woul
be antagonistc to their services to tn
Carnegie and Bethlehem works. He il
sisted it was an evil to so circumstant
a naval officer that his services could ne
be given to the government.
mot while he is receiving pay from tn
government" interjected Mr.. Tillma
Dem.) of South Carolina, who was
interested listener to the debate.