The Portland daily press., 1896-01-01
IN THE SENATE.
Senator CIlandIer's Resolution Of
Naval Inquiry.
HALE DENENDS THE HONOR AND
INTEGRITG OF THE NAVY.
Chandler's Resolution Is Agreed to-Mr,
Mitchell Talks on Wool and Drifts Into
Finance-sepators Hill, Cockerell and

Chandler's Resolution Is Agreed to-Mr
Mitchell Talks on Wool and Drifts Into
Finance-Sepators Hill, Cockereli and
Nelson Speak.
Washington, December 3..-The resolu-
tion heretofore offered by Mr.. Chandler,
Republican of New Hampshire, as to the
pricas paid for armor for vessels of the
navy, whether higher than those charged
by the same contractors to foreign gov
ernments, and as to government officers
being interested in patents, used in its
manufacture, was taken up in the SEN
ate today.
Mr. Chandler modified it on the
suggestion of Mr.. German by omitting
the claus Q as to lower prices charged to
foreign governments.
Mr.. German expressed regret that the
resolution suggested corrupting 1nfiu-
ences among naval officers.
Mr.. Hale, Republican of Maine, agreed
with Mr.. German, and favored holding
up the hands of the officials Of the navy.
Those great transactions, he said, al
luding to the building of battleships dur
ing several administrations, 9.have been
done openly and above board, and with
integrity transfused through every
branch of the service. regret anything
has arisen that would in any way disturb
the confidence that Congrss has had in
all branches of the Navy Department, and
which the country shared. If there is
,u{-h t,,5 n 81
ought to be brought out, and | hope that
an investigation will demonstrate there
is nothing in it. /"
Mr.. Chandler said he concurred in ey-
cry word spoken by the Senators from
Maryland and Maine. Facts had come to
his knowledge which required an inves-
tlgation, and which required publicity,
II they were as he understood them, in
order that in future contracts for armor,
for vessels of the navy, everything might
be above suspicion. He did not propose
to make known any statement Of those
facts which could injure any officer of
the navy or government. If the Senators
were inclined to learn part of the foun-
dation for the inquiry, they could do so
by reading in the New York Times of
november 10 and 90, statements which
quired Investigation. The resolution
was agreed to.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Nit
chell, Republican of Oregon, instruotins
the finance committee to report an
amendment to the House tariff bill, i'm
posing duty on raw wool was taken
up and Mr.. Mitchell addressed the Sem
ate upon it.
Mr.. Mitchell drifted into the waters of
finance, and argued that if the Secretary
of the Treasury had exercised discretion
vested in him, and redeemed the green.
backs and treasury notes either in gold
coin or silver coin, as might be most con-
venIent, it would put step to the re-
demptien of such notes.
Mr.. Hill, Democrat of New York, as
serted that ever since 1879 it had been
the custom of Secretaries of the Treasury
to redeem greenbacks in gold.
This statements was contradicted by
Mr.. Cookrell, Democrat Of Missouri, who
stated such redemption on demand began
in October, 1891, and added that Senator
Sherman offered an amendment in the
Senate to redeem greenbecks with silver
dollars. Secretary Carlisle stated before
the House committee on appropriations
last January ii in the beginning, the
Secretary OF the Treasury had exercised
the discretion Of paying these notes either
in gold or silver. at his convenience, it
would have operated we'll and would
have been of great benefit.
Mr. Nelson Republican of Minnesota,
followed Mr.. Miothell in speech on the
wool question, and on the financial ques-
tion.
Mr.. Mitchell's resolution was referred
to the finance committee.
A resolution prohibiting the issue of
United States bonds on private contract,
offered by Mr.. Elkins, Republican OF
West Virginia, won't over till Friday, to
which day the Senate adjourned