The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-15
FOR THE COAST DEfEhCEs
The House Without Division Passes
an Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. BERRY THE ONLY DIRECTOR
Thinks the Money Should be Spent
In Building War Ships-The Della.
ware Election Casc-SenatOr
Morriirs Birthday.

Washington. April 1.-THE house to-
day passed without division and prac-
tically without objection the bill max
Ing appropriations for fortiications and
coast defences. Its passage was advo-
Gated by Messrs. Hainer (Rep., Neb)
Sayers (Dem.. Texas), Bartlett (Dem.,
N. ", Livingston CDem., Ga.). Hem
engway (Rep., indy and Cannon (Rep.,
I'LL, all members of the committee on
appropriations and Mr.. Baker (Rep.,
N. H. The latter criticised the COM
mittee for not going further and ap-
prOpriating all the money asked by
enerals Flagler and Craighill. Mr.
Berry (Dem., Ky) was the only oppon-
ent Of the bill. He said the money
would be better spent In building ships
than in fixed batteries.
The secretary of war estimated that
$S.045. .163 could be expended in the COM
ing year. The bill carries specific ap-
preparations amounting to $5.S42, ,337, and
authority is given to the secretary Of
war to make contracts involving the
further expenditure Of $5,542.276, maxi
ing the total authorized expenditure
In the bill $11.3S4,6l3.
The following shows the aggregate
amount appropriated and authorized by
contract under each sub division Of the
bill, namely:
Gun and mortar batteries. S., ,260, 900;
sites for Notifications, $3.50, 900; preser-
walton and repair OF fortiflcations. $780,
900; plans for Notifications, 5000; sea
walls and embankments, $17.975; tor
pedoes for harbor defense. 100000; ar
mament of Notifications, $5.502, ,673;
proving ground Sandy Hook. N. j.. $685.
600; Watertown arsenal, Mass, $43, 500:
Watervliet arsenal. New York, $3,1O5:
Benecia arsenal, California, $4,000; ord
nance and fertilization board, 800. 900;
Fortress Monroe sewerage system, $9,-
$50.
The house agreed to the conference
report upon the legislative executive
and judicial appropriation bill. as far
as the conferees had agreed. and or
dered another conference upon the mat
ters In dispute between the two houses.
A PENSION BILL.
The house committee on invalid PEN
sions today ordered favorable report
of a bill to adjust the pensions OF
maimed Union soldiers and sailors who
served during the war of the rebellion.
The measure makes an average increase
in the pensions Of this class Of about
$1S per month, and creates pension
for those who have lost a hand and
foot. 1t provides that all persons now
on the pension roll and all persons here
after granted a pension, who while In
the military or naval service OF the
United States during the late war OF
the REBELLION and In the line of duty, lost
q hand or q foot or were likewise totally
disabled in the same. shall receive a
pension of $46 per month; that all such
persons, wbs in Ike manner lost an
arm at Or above the elbow joint or a leg
at or above the knee joint, or were
likewise totally disabled in the same,
or who in like manner lost an arm be-
low the elbow joint or leg below the
knee joint and suffer from total or par
tial stiffness Of the joint or other causes
| which render the stump useless, shall
receive a pension Of $50 per month; that
all such persons who In like manner
lost an arm at the shoulder joint or a
leg at the hip joint, or SO near the joint
as to prevent the use Of an artificial
limb, or were likewise totally disabled
In the same, shall receive a pension OF
sons who In like manner lost both q
hand and foot, or were likewise totally
disabled in the same, shall receive q
pension Of $72 per month.
IN THE SENATE.
After a speech in the senate today
by Mr.. Squire (Rep., Wash.) in sup.
port of his bill making large appro.
| priations for sea coast defenses the
rest of the session was taken up in the
consideration Of the Delaware election
case, Mr. Chandler (Rep., N. H.) argu.
| ing at great length in favor Of the
claim of Mr.. Dupont to the vacant seal
| in the senate. The other side Of the
| case is to be sustained tomorrow by
the senator from Delaware (Mr. Gray
Dem.). who holds that Governor Wat
son was entitled to cast his vote II
the legislature as a state senator ant
speaker of the senate; and that having
so voted, there was no majority fol
any candidate. Mr.. Gray intimatet
that his speech would probably close
! the case on that side.
Mr.. Hoar (Rep.. Mass.) gave notice
however, of his purpose to address tht
senate in support of Mr.. Dupont's claim
so that decision of the question /!
not yet in sight.
The fact of Senator Morrill, (Rep.
Vt.) having attained his seth birthda!
with more than half his life spent IL
congress, was recalled in the chaplain!
prayer in which the senator was truth
fully described as hale in body ant
clear, sound and vigorous In intellect.