The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-28
ARMY BILL PASSED.
senate Agrees tn an Appropriation OF
<23-270.Oc01Proctor ON Defenses.


<23-270.Oc0GProctor ON Defenses.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2.-Besides discuss
ing the Cuban question "a report of which is
printed elsewhere). the Senate to-day passed
the army appropriation bill and listened to a
speech by Mr.. Proctor on coast defenses.
All the opening of the Senate Rev DR..
Milburn, the blind chaplain. made eloquent
reference TO the death OF SIR. Shanklin, a
veteran employee of the Senate. whose de-
mise caused the circulation OF unfounded
rumors OF the death OF Senator Voorhees,.
of Indiana. and of J. Gilbert Shanklin. OF
Indiana. who was the Senator's guest sew
eral days ago.
Something OF breeze was caused by the
introdu ,tion OF a resolution authorizing the
conmitte On coast defenses TO visit places
requiring coast defenses. send for persons
and papers, etc. Mr.. Cocl5rell thought the
resolution was very broad. allowing the
committee to take a tour around the coun-
try Mr. Squire, chairman of the committee,
said the only visit contemplated was TO
Sandy Hook He consented TO a modifica-
ton OF the resolution that the committees
trip be limited 10 the defenses of New York
city, and IL was adopted in this form.
There we another minor debate over the
printing of 5000 copies of reports by Rev.
deers in Alaska. Mr.. Vest remon-
strated against this senseless fad
He had been to Alaska, and knew
fad Mr.. Hale. who introduced the res
olution, admitted that there was no consid-
cradle force in the plan: The resolution was
finally adopted. after the number OF books
was materially reduced.
A peculiar pension bill was passed PEN
sonnS Shrissopnes Scnmldt sta private nn Month 1i
because OF blindness resulting from a shot
striking him while he CHANGED TO pass before
the rifle range at Fort Smelling. Minnesota.
Ia he proceeding
Mr.. Carter and Mr.. Teller. who participated
I'm me exciting debate of yesterday. were
the center of a numerous group which was
interested in a number of kilograms
ceived by Mr.. Carter.
Mr. Proctor. ex-Secretary of War. then
addressed the Senate on coast defenses AT
the outset he quoted a statement by Adj
miral Walker to the effect that If the Eng
lisn were to send over such naval force
as they could spare from Europe they would
have their own way here The Senator took
the ground that land Notifications are much
more efficient for coast defenses than
navy and when once constructed are dur
able. cheaply maintained and easily
strengthened: that the defense OF our cities
cannot be left TO the navy alone. however
large. and that a navy that would equal
the great navies of Europe is unnecessary
and It's cost makes ii impracticable. The
priated up to date from the third day of
March. 1888 for the increase OF the navy
was S110.371. 40, and during the same time
only So,6S1.71 40 was appropriated Tor coast
defenses.
I'VE have also spent" he continued. mil
lions in deepening the approaches TO our
i1arbors to make them accessible to hos
tile fleet. and practically nothing for their
defense. We have neglected the work when
should have been done first and which
would have been more than completed Tor
the sum spent on the navy, while the navy,
still far too small to protect itself, is lett
without the protection OF a system OF mar
Dor defense which should have preceded It's
construction. 1t is to be hoped that the Brit
ish War Office and Admiralty nave not
plans In detail of our partially constru :.,
mine and torpedo systems. There Is little
less in our preparation or nonpreparatton
for war that they do not understand. There
is no danger OF exposing our weak points.
Speaking again of the navy the Senator
said that a brief comparison taken from
the last report OF the Secretary viii DEM
ers the United States is in naval equipment.
This was particularly true as regards Great
Compared the inadequacy of our navy with
the navies OF other countries, and said:
"Such Is our navy. but suppose that a like
sum had been expended on land defenses.
what would the country now have to show
for the expenditure? The Senator quoted
Admiral Walker as saying that If our har-
bors were properly fortified no squadron
would attempt to take them; presented ia
bles comparing the cost of land and fioat-
ing batteries, showing great excess OF cost
cited events in the China-Japan war to
show that Japanese land forces were an es-
sential factor in the capture or Fort arthur
and We.-Hai-Wei.
In the course OF mis- further remarks ne
said 1T would be much better to provide
the land Notifications at cost many times
less than the expense OF making our navy
anything like equal that of Great Britain.
inasmuch it is universally admitted that
the land fortificatiOnsAwill render our coasts
impregnable. The needs of the country ap-
peal to Congress for action in this direction
the boundless capital represented in proper
t. that could be destroyed by bombardment
appeals to US; the material interests OF the
whole Nation that would be affected by the
destruction appeal to us: our common sense
appeals to We can effect the purpose
more cheaply now than hereafter. Let us
provide suitable Notifications and render
our harbors inDregnable- Whatever works
are made will be such that additions can
from time 20 time be made to them TO make
them equal to withstand great advances of
science. II do this We will receive the
commentator of the whole country"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Proctor's speech.
the bill was passed for the construction OF
two steam revenue cutters to cost not II
exceed se50O0o each. for use on the Pacific
coast. The army appropriation bill. carrying
So, 2Tg 0cO. was then passed. and the Cuban
resolution was taken up and discussed till
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