The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-29
WHICH SIDE RUNS 1T
GOrman Contends That the Repub-
licans Control the Senate.
A SHARP RUNNING DEBATE
Sherman and Hale Reply and Try
to Fasten the Blame for
Everything on the
Democrats.

Washington, April 2s.-The senate
resumed consideration of the naval ap-
preparation bill to-day. After some rou-
tine business had been disposed of, the
pending question was on the amend
ment offered by Mr.. Chandler making
II unlawful for retired naval officers
to enter the service of contractors fur
nshing material to pne government.
Before proceeding to this amendment
Mr.. Bacon reported an important new
amendment from the committee on ma
val affairs. IL provides as a condition
TO the building of four battleships, as
provided by the bill, that in case the
secretary of the navy makes separate
contracts for armor or armor plate, he
shall not accept bids exceeding $3.50
per ton for such armor, and in case
the secretary cannot make contracts
within such limits he shall delay action
and report the facts to the next session
of congress. The Chandler amendment
was agreed to, Al to IL. AS adopted,
the prohibition against naval officers
serving naval contractors goes into ef-
feet June 80, 1897. This brought the
senate to the most important feature
of the bill, appropriating money for
four battleships to cost $3.50, 900 each,
three 30-knot torpedo boats at $780, 900
and 10 torpedo boats at 100000. Mr..
German moved an amendment to fix
the number of battleships at two in
stead of four, and Mr.. Quay an amend
ment fixing the number of battleships
at six.
Mr.. German then addressed the SEN
ate in support of his amendment.
When congress assembled, he said, 1t
was informed by the executive that
the financial condition of the country
was OF the first moment, that the con-
dition OF the treasury demanded econ
omy or else the country would be con-
fronted by either an increase of taxa
ton or else the sale of bonds. But when
the war scare took possession of us
more vessels were demanded, appro-
priations greater than those of war
times were proposed and the secretary
of the navy revised his recommended
tion of two battleships by proposing
from four to six battleships.
This from a cabinet officer" pro-
ceeded Mr.. German, was considered a
justification for these numerous appro-
priations in the time of peace. in the
face of the fact, known to every sena-
tor, that there was not revenue enough
to pay the ordinary expenses of the
government; that there had been, is,
and will be a deficit in the treasury;
that there has not been for four years
sufficient money received to meet the
appropriations of congress" The sena-
tor added that of the amounts paid for
pensions and ships $162, 900, 900 came
from the sale of bonds. This presented
the question, is 1t wise, in time of
peace, to make thee great appropria-
tions? IT was evident that there would
be no legislation in this country for
the relief of the treasury.
Mr.. German had been speaking with
much earnestness, and 1t was evident
that a debate of more than passing in
l.a1 ao1 fplr
ly filled and the rear and side areas
was crowded with representatives who
came over from the house.
During Mr.. Germans last statement,
Mr. Sherman rose hastily for an inter-
ruption. II am very glad the senator
has confessed the sin-the great sin of
the democratic party" said Mr.. Sher-
man. 1.-THE republican house of repre-
sentatives has framed a bill increasing
the revenues of the government fifty
millions, and that bill was sent to the
senate. Here II was defeated by the
votes of the other side of the chamber,
so that the only measure offered to this
congress to raise more revenue was de-
feated by democratic votes"
This precipitated a question of who
controlled the senate. Mr.. German de-
claring the republican control OF the
settled the point. I'VE
warned you," he said, that you had
not the power to relieve the country,
and asked you to join us in a non-par-
tisan measure of relief. But our offer
was rejected. You assumed the task
the power unless you got your forces
together. You knew there could be no
action, and in my judgment this pro-
posal to relieve the treasury was in
tended as a failure"
II must emphatically deny" again
interposed Mr.. Sherman, as he proceed
ed TO show that the revenue bill was
in character and a relief
measure, pure and simple. And / say
1t is a disgrace to the congress of the
United States, particularly to the SEN
ate," proceeded Sherman with great
that when II was known
that the receipts of the government did
not meet the expenditures no action
was taken, and the proposed bill was
defeated. In every month since this
began the receipts have
been less than the expenditures and yet
the party of this administration refuses
to aid in a measure of relief"
Mr.. German responded that the Ohio
senator knew no agreement could be
reached on a measure such as has been
brought in. Mr.. Sherman. interrupting,
said II was one of the remarkable incl
dents of this congress that there were
many of the senate committees. This
was the case on the finance committee.
which passed on the revenue bill.
Mr. Hale asked Mr.. German when
there was a tender on his part of dem
ocratic cooperation in framing a rev.
enue bill. when was this dicker pro-
posed?" asked Hale. Il never heard of
IL Afore."
Mr.. German replied that no dicker
had been proposed, but he suggested
when the republicans were about to
take control OF the committees that
both sides come together on a general
policy.
Il now recall" proceeded Mr.. Hale,
best thought OF the senate should come
together and reach an understanding
as TO organization. But I never sup
posed the senator meant to come to-
gether on the great question OF tarif