The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-16
THE FORT|F|CAT|0NS BILL
PASSED THE HOUSE-IT IN
WOLVES AN EXPENDITURE
OF 81, 3Si,G13.
THE BOND INQUIRY RESOLUTION.
Taking II Up-Mr. Chandler Spoke
in Support of Mr.. Duponts
Claim.

Washington, April 14.-The house to-
day passed without amendment the fOrti-
iicatiOns bill, carrying appropriations and
authorizations involving an cXpediture
of 81 ,3SI,613.
The appropriations for Notifications
since the Endicott commission in 1886
reported its plans for the defense of
twcnty-seven seaports at an approximate
cost Of S100,000,OOO, have averaged
something over S2,OOO,00O annually.
During the debate today there were a
number of references TO our foreign COM
plications and the necessity Of preparing
for any possible emergency. Only one
voice was raised against the passage of
the bin, Mr.. Berry Dem.) Of Kentucky,
thought il would be wise to build ships
capable of coping with the most powerful
battlcships of other nations rather than
erect fixed Notifications on our coasts.
Mr. Bingham iiep.j Of Pennsylvania,
presented the conference report on the
legislative, executive and Judicial apprO-
priation bill and explained with refer
cnces to the paragraphs 10 abolish the
fee system in cases of marshals, attorneys
and United States commissioners. that
the whole question had been referred to a
joint committee of the Judiciary COM
mittce of the two houses who were to CON
suit with the attorney general and report
TO the conference committee.
The senate he said, had added S220, 900
10 the house bill, of which 100000 had
been disposed of by the house agreeing to
$4,000, the senate yielding the balance
About 100000 still remained in dispute.
\ Al lv lao. ia
crease of the salary list of the senate en-
ployes, and rs TO the last he predicted
that the house would have to yield.
The record showed that the average
cost of employees to each member of the
house was 5000, while that Of each mem
Der OF the senate was S44S3 Justice to
the house. he said, required that these
facts should be made known.
Mr.. Dockery DEM of Missouri, fol-
lowed in the same line.
Mr.. Hartman lRepD of Montana, caus-
ed n scattering of applause by stating that
he proposed II resolution to instruct the
conferees to yield to the senate with
amendments for annual clerks for MEM
bers Of the house.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the apprO-
priation committee, said that such n reso-
luton would not be germanc. If mem
bers desired to pay for their clerks during
the vacations, he said, ii must be either
done by independent Legislation of by APP
prOpriating money from the contingent
fund of the house.
Mr.. IIartmnn's motion was ruled out,
and the report was then adopted and
further conference agreed to.
lIessrs. Bingham, DOckcry and Mccall
were appointed cOnfcrccs.
The house then went into committee of
a.. Ia, t,.lr l., don mi nm
of the Notifications appropriation bill.
Mr.. IIaincr Rep) of Nebraska, in
charge of the bill explained its provisions
dwelling ON the necessity with other pres
ent and prospective foreign complications
for an adequate system of coast defcnses
Mr.. Livingston lDcm.) of Georgia,
'membcr of the appropriations committee
also favored the bill. He thought per-
haps that the great increase in the appro-
priations for Notifications tSl l.OOO,OOO
as against S2,000,O0O last year, needed
explanation in view of the fact that we
are borrowing money ut Il heavy sacrl-
flee to pay current expenses.
Il congratulate the country he con
timed that it is now conceded that Me-
Kinley will he the next Republican noml-
nee: that the A. +. A. will beat him. 1t
is also acknowledged that the Jefferson
ian Democracy will control the Chicago
convention and give relief to the
country"
Mr.. Livingston proceeded saying he
did not anticipate war with England or
Spain, but that it was good policy ana
good common sense to prepare for pos
siblc contingency.
''Do you know that England has sent
forty-fvc rapid-6ring guns to Kingston,
Canada, for the protection of the lakes!
asked Mr.. Walsh Dem.) of New York.
ut matters not if she has sent l00O
guns" replied Mr.. Livingston. I'VE
can, in the event of war, take Canada IN
three weeks, no matter how many guns
or men she might send there
(Applause) A.
After some further remarks by MeSsrs::
Savers Dem.) of Texas; Baker (Rep) OF
New Hampshire, and Hemingway (Deml
of Indiana, the general debate was closed
with a brief speech by Mr.. Cannon,
chairman of the appropriations commit
tee, who culogized the bill as the best for
tifcations bill presented to the house IN
twenty years. The work should go on:
The mere making of appropriations and
our acknowledged ability to make the
foregoing of the great guns to be set up IN
defense of our great seacoast cities would
strengthen the executive in present diplo-
matte complications.
The bill was then read and without
amendment was reported and passed.
At 5:25 the house adjourned.