The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-02
THE F|FTY.FOURTH CONGRESS
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION
BILL PASSED THE HOUSE
WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
A MONETARY COMMISSION SCHEME.
Resolution Introduced to Place Our Cur
rency System in the Hands of Nine
Citizens--Senate at Work on the
Legislative Appropriation.

Washington, March 26-The naval
appropriation bill was passed today by
the house without substantial amend
ment. An effort was made by the adj
vocates of a larger increase of the navy
than was authorized by the bill to in
crease the number of battleships from
four to six. This increase was supported
by Messrs. Hanley, Cummings and John
son of California and opposed by Messrs.
Boutelle chairman of the committee;
Hulick and Robinson. The house by
large majority stood by the recommed-
aation of the committee, the proposition
for six battleships mastering but 80
votes against 1874. Various other
amendments were offered, but all failed.
The bill, as passed, carries $31, GIL ,034
and authorizes the construction of four
battleships and fifteen torpedo boats, the
total cost of which shall be in the neigh
borhood of $35,OOO,OOO. The sundry
civil appropriation bill, which was re-
ported today, will be taken up to NOR
row.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, March 26.-At the open
ing session of the house today Mr.. Heat
wole Rep.) of Minnesota introduced
the following resolution, which was re-
ferred:
Whereas. In view of our present mad
equate banking and currency system, it
is desirable that congress have the aid
of such recommendations as nOn-par-
tisan commission of experts might be
able to offer
Resolved, That the president is hereby
authorized to appoint nine citizens, en-
inent in trade, political economy and
banking, to act with the comptroller of
the currency as such commission and
that such commission reports its con-
illusions to congress.
Several minor bills were passed, one
to provide for reimbursement for the
construction of sewer on the present
reservation at Hot Springs, Ark, and an
other to grant the Gulf, Colorado and
Santa Fe Railroad company the right
to acquire terminal facilities at Davis,
1. T..
Shortly before l o'clock the house
went into the committee of the whole
and resumed consideration of the naval
appropriation bill.
1t was decided to allow three hours
for general debate on the resolutions re-
lating to the increase in the navy.
Mr.. Hanley, who favored n larger in
crease in the navy than the majority of
the committee, argued in favor of an
amendment which he gave notice he
would offer, to increase the number of
battleships from four to six. He re-
ferred to the aggressions of Great Brit
ain and our foreign complications as an
argument for Il strong navy.
Mr.. Hulick Rep.) of Ohio said he
endorsed all Mr.. Hanley had said. but
he argued that in view of the condition
of the treasury it was unwise to author
ize more than four battleships in this
bill.
Mr.. Johnson Rep.) of California fa-
vored the Hanley amendment for six
battleships instead of four. If we were
to continue to parade ourselves among
the nations of the earth with Il chip on
our shoulder, we must be prepared to
fight if the chip was knocked off
Mr.. Robinson (Rep) of Pennsylvania
argued in support of the Judgment of
the committee.
Mr.. Cummings Dem) of New York.
also q member of the committee, fol-
lowed with a strong and eloquent speech
in favor of larger increases in the navy.
Mr.. BOutelle closed the general debate
in favor of abiding by the Judgment of
the naval committee.
This bill would be the largest appro-
priatiOn for ships in the history of the
country and would tax our capacities
to the utmost
The vote was then taken on the Han
ley amendment to increase the number
of battleships from four to six. 1t was
defeated, 80 to 1876.
An amendment by Mr.. Fisher Rep)
of New York authorizing the president
to order one or more vessels provided
for in the bill to be built in the govern
ment yards was defeated. as was one
offered by Mr.. Hillborn (RepD of Cali
fornia to increase the number of torpedo
boats to be built on the Pacific coast
from one to five.
Mr.. Tate Dem.) of Georgia moved to
name one of the battleships Nebraska"
Mr.. Mahon Rep) of Pennsylvania
caused some amusement by moving to
name the ships Quay, Reed Mckinley
and Allison.
Mr.. Robinson moved to name one
Pennsylvania. All of the amendments
were voted down and the bill was then
passed.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the appro-
priatiOns committee, reported the sundry
civil bill and gave notice that he would
call it up tomorrow. Then, at $40 d.
m, the house adjourned.
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