The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-28


WASHINGTON, April 27-The naval
appropriation bill was before the senate
throughout the day. An amendment
offered by MIR. Chandler making it
unlawful for retired naval officers to
enter the service of contractors furn-
ishing armor etc, to the government
ioccasioned an animated debate, which
gradually broadened into a discussion
of the entire subject of armor plate.
Mr.. Tillman was among the most &C
tive in support of the amendment.
speaking of the efforts to cheat and
rob the government and the tendency
Of millionaire contractors to thrust
their hands into the pockets of Uncle
Sam"
Mr.. Chandler and Mr. Hale support
Mr.. German opposed it. The amend
ment was not disposed of when the
senate adjourned.
THE PROCEEDINGS
Mr.. Chandler (Rep., N. H.) presented
a supplemental report concerning al
legged election frauds in Alabama, and
the naval appropriation bill was then
taken up.
The main features of the bill are the
items for four sea-going coast-line bat
tleshipS. designed to carry the heaviest
armCr and most powerful ordnance, to
cost S3,00000o each; three torpedo boats
| having a speed of thirty knots to
cost 100000, and ten torpedo boats to
cost s500,00O
! Mr.. Quay offered an amendment in
| creaSing the appropriation for reserve
J guns for auxiliary cruisers from $780,
coo to $500 600
Mr.. German commented on the delay
IN furnishing guns at the Washington
navy yard. At one time the work had
been much expedited probably as a
result of the war talk. but of late the
contractors had failed to furnish the
jackets, etc, of guns and this had
occasioned delay. The senator
DOUBTED THE ExPEDIENcY
of providing for a lot of new guns and
following it uD with many new ships
IN view OF the present condition of the
treasury.
Mr.. Stewart remarked that there was
$3.50 600 cash balance in the treas
ury.
Yes, and considerable silver also"
said Mr.. German.
After further debate Mr.. Quay's
amendment was agreed ITO.
MI Perkins (Rep., CALI moved an
amendment appropriating 100000 for a
naval training school at Yerba Buena,
Cal. He argued that American ships
should be manned by Americans. and
that 1T was desirable to foster a pa,tri-
otto spirit among American seamen.
Mr.. German made a vigorous oppo-
s1tion. He declared that this was the
first step toward a project which might
cost from
ONE TO FIVE MILLIONS.
and yet it was brought in without an
estimate. He said that appropriations
secured by the Pacific coast senators
would long stand as an evidence of
what can be secured through persist
ency. He appealed to Perkins to with
draw the amendment.
The California senator consented to
have the appropriations cut to $4,000,
saying the liberal people of California
would make up the balance.
Mr.. Lodge (Rep., Mass.) supported
the amendment on the ground that
with two great lines of coast ships
there was need of a Pacific training
school similar to the one at Newport
Mr.. Hale (Rep., Maine) contended
that naval training should be on ship
board, and not on land, and Mr. Faux
ner pointed out that the proposed ap-
preparation was premature as another
bill now approved by the president
called on the navy department for
plans of this school, Mr. Perkins fin
ally withdrew his amendment
Mr.. Chandler offered an amendment
making it unlawful after Tune 20 1897
for
NAVAL OFFICERS TO TAKE SER
VICE
with concerns furnishing armor or
other equipment for the government
He said the practice of allowing re-
tired naval officers on three-fourths
pay to enter the service of contractors
dealing with the government was very
Objectionable. These officers had facil-
tiles for knowing what was going on at
the navy department, and it was i'm
proper that service to the government
and service to the contractor should
run togther. He said there were several
specific cases, showing the objection
able character of this service, but he
refrained from mentioning them, as
the navy department had sanctioned
the service.
Mr.. Gray contended that it was I'M
just to restrict the services of naval Of
ficers on the retired list. There was no
reason, said the senator, why an Off
Ger retired by a super Servicable re-
firing board, anxious to magnify their
own Importance. should be
REDUCED TO BEGGARY
by being denied the right to enter upon
private work. Some of the officers were
retired for slight causes.
Mr.. Hale said that naval contractors
were constantly endeavoring to get an
advantage over the government and to
make enormous profits. and a. naval Of
ficer was thus placed in the embar-
rassment of serving the contractor
who was against the government and
the government who was against the
contractor.
Mr.. Allen (Pop., Neb) asked for in
formation as to the irregularities. 1t
was explained by Mr.. Chandler and
Mr.. Hale that the result of the investi-