The record-union., 1896-05-01
LITTLE WORK ACCOM-.
PLISHED In CONGRESS.
The Senate Continues Debate on the
Naval Appropriation Bill,
But the Session Closed Without ANY
Progress Whatever.
The House Disposes of Three
Contested Election Cases From
Mississippi, Adopting the Report
firming the Title of the Sitting
Members to Their Seats.

WASHINGTON, April 3O.-The naval
appropriat tion bill had the undivided
attention of the Senate to-day, but
when the session closed no progress had
been made upon the bill beyond the ex-
clusion on point of order Of Quay's
amendment to increase the number Of
battleships from four to six. Germans
amendment to reduce the number TO
two was the proposition before the Sen
ate when it met and remained SO when
it adjourned.
Immediately after the routine pro-
ceedings the naval appropriation bill
was taken up, the pending business be-
ing the amendment offered by Cor
man Dem) of Maryland, reducing the
number of battleships provided for in
the bill from four to two and the add!-
ton to that amendment offered by
Quay Rep.) of Pennsylvania to in
crease the number to six.
White Oem) of California, while de-
claring himself in favor of an effective
navy, argued as to the greater necessity
for coast defenses, particularly on the
Pacific Coast. He quoted statements Of
Generals Miles and Craighill and of
Admiral Walker in support Of his argu-
ment.
Allen Pop) Of Nebraska spoke of the
interest which he had felt in the debate
of the last two days, and which he said
disclosed to the country the fact that
the issue to be made in the approaching
Presidential campaign was the issue Of
tariff, rather than the issue of financial
reform. The financial condition of the
treasury would not warrant an appro
priation of four battleships unless there
was an overshadowing necessity for the
nation to prepare for some contemplate
ed war.
In the course of long speech Allen
asserted that the Mckinley Act had not
produced sufficient revenue, and he de-
clared his belief if the Harrison admin
istration had remained in power 1t
would have issued United States bonds
before the 1st Of April, 1893. He re-
marked that rumor had it that Secre
tary Foster would have profited large
ly by their issue.
Platt Rep.) of New York asked Allen
to give his authority for that statement
and Allen said he made no such state
ment; he merely mentioned 1T as ru-
NOR. He had read at the time In the
press dispatches that Foster was to
make two and a half million dollars
out of that transaction
In the course of long speech Allen
predicted the disruption Of the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties and the
uniting of the people under the banner
of Populism (of some other like name),
foy 70 mt hy
the people, for the people and Of the peo-
ple."
At the close Of Aliens speech Cat 4
p NO. the question was stated to be on
Quay's amendment to Germans amend
ment increasing the number of battle
ships to six.
A point of order was raised by Cor
man against Quay's amendment that
it increased the appropriation without
an estimate, and the point was sus-
tanned.
Remarks favoring the bill for four
battleships were made by Call Dem }
of Florida and Bacon Oem.) of Georgia
the latter giving as a reason for his po-
sition the fact that there was now a
surplus in the treasury.
German contradicted that statement
and showed that the surplus in the
treasury was more than covered by ap-
propriations made by Congress, but not
expended. Every Senator knows" he
said. that it will take every dollar now
in the treasury to meet current ex-
penses and these extraordinary appro-
priations, and then will occur before
December next, in my Judgment, pre-
cisely what occurred last year. The
moment the treasury has not a working
balance the money sharks will make
another raid on the treasury gold 1t
will be run down below the S1OO OOO, 900
and then will follow the sale of bonds
again"
Chandler (Rep) of New Hampshire
said he would be willing to see Gorman's s
amendment adopted if any appropria-
ton were made for torpedo boat de-
stroyers and torpedo boats The reduc-
ton of battleships to two would be a
saving of from ten to twelve millions.
He therefore gave notice of an amend
ment appropriating $4.5O0,OOO for thirty
torpedo boats and torpedo boat de-
stroyers.
The bill went over without action.
Hale stated that if it was not passed
by o'clock tomorrow he would ask
then for an executive session.
The House bill increasing the pension
of William Grose of Newcastle. Ind.
Brigadier- r-General Of Volunteers. to
SlO0 month, was passed, with an
amendment making the pension S75.
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, April 3O.-The House
to-day disposed Of the three contested
election cases from Mississippi, adopt
ing the resolutions reported from the
Elections Committee confirming the IT,
tie of the sitting members, Allen, Will
lams and Spencer, Democrats, to their
seats.
The contestants in these cases based
their claims for the seats upon an al
legged violation Of the Federal laws
regulating the representation of Mis-
sissippi in Congress by the Constitu-
ton of the State.
The committee declined to make a
declaration upon that question
A bill was introduced increasing the
pension of General William Crosse of