The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-05-02
IN HOUSE AND SENATE
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL IN
DER CONSIDERATION.
Bill Today, According to the
Rules.

Washington, April Ex-senator Chandler
today made a supplemental report from
the committee on privileges on the Ala
hama elections. He states that the new
report was made because the minority IS
not forthcoming after lapse Of 40 days.
The supplemental report recites the state
ment made by Senator Allen of Nebraska
in his speech February IL, 1895. charging
that "A, 900 votes were cast for Oates in 10
black belt counties, which, being deducted
would overcome Oates apparent majority
and show the election of Kolb by about
5000 The report also claims that the Kolb
Legislature was in fact elected. Eliminat-
ing all frauds, there was, 1t is asserted, an
actual populist and republican majority Ct
90 making Morgan's election invalid.
The naval appropriation bill was then
taken up. The main features of the bill
are the items for sea-going coast-line bat
tleships designed to carry the heaviest
armor and most powerful ordnance, to
cost $3,75O,OOO each; three torpedo boa-s,
having speed of 80 knots, to cost sSOO,OOO,
and 10 torpedo boats to cost $4,000.
Senator Quay offered an amendment in
creasing the appropriation for reserve
guns for auxiliary cruisers from $25O,ON to
$500. 600 Agreed to.
Senator Perkins moved an amendment
appropriating 100000 for naval training
school at Yerba Buena, Cal
Senator German made a vigorous objec-
tion on the ground that the project might
cost from one to five million dollars, and
was brought in without an estimate.
After further discussion Senator Per-
kins withdrew his amendment.
SENATOR Chandler offered an amendment
making it unlawful after June 80, 1897, for
naval officers to take service with con-
Germs furnishing armor or other Sduip-
ment for the government. He said tho
practice of allowing retired naval officers
on three-fourths pay to enter the service
eff contractors dealing with the govern
ment was very Objectionable.
Senator Gray contended that it was UNI
lust to restrict the services of naval cfii-
GERS on the retired list. There was no ca
son, said the senator, why an officer re-
tired by a superserviceable retiring board.
anxious to magnify their own Importance,
should be reduced to beggary by being de-
MED the right to enter upon private work.
Senator Allen asked for information as
to the irregularities. 1t was explained by
Senators Chandler and Hale that the re-
suit OF the investigation had not been
maze PUBIC.
Senator Hale said, however, that no cor
ruption had been shown against naval Off
GERS.
Senator Chandler said that when the
naval committee asked for the naval Off
GERS conversant with affairs of the Came
gle works and the Bethlehem works TWO
officers had appeared who were supposed
to represent the government. But, behold,
said Senator Chandler, II turned out that
the two officers were on the retired LIST
and were in the service of the Carnegie
and Bethlehem works
Senator Tllman said il was neither de-
cent nor in good taste for these officers
TO serve those interested in rObbing the
government 81 am unwilling to see these
millionaires grow richer by thrusting thoir
hands in the pocket of Uncle Sam. de-
clared Senator Tillmsn
Senator Hale pointed out that the bureau
officer who took part I'm making contracts
for armor was able to look ahead TO the
time when he would be on the retired LIST
and might enter into the service of CON
tractors
In answer to a question, Senator Hale
said the experts before the naval commits
sion had shown that the cost OF produe-
ton for armor was $3.50 per ton.
After further debate in which Senators
Chandler, German and Tillman took part,
referring to contracts and committee in
vesrgation, the bill was laid aside and at
Sis the senate adjourned