Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-04-03
THE NAVAL BILL PASSED
EFFORT TO INCREASE THE x,.
her OF BATTLEsHIPs FArLEn
'"e se""'e TOOK Up an Approprio-
ton Bill Also. but Laid
u Aside.

| Washington, March 26.-Mr uo,.
wole of Minnesota introduced a rass
luton authorizing the president To nm
point a committee of nine citizens IN
act with the comptroller of the chr
| rency 10 make recommendations for
the Improvement of our banking and
currency system. Referred.
! The house then resumed consideration
or the naval appropriation bill. If
was decided to allow three hours for
sehefal debate on the paragraph rela,-
| ing to the increase Of the navy.
| Mr.. Hanley of Indiana gave notice
he would offer an amendment to in
crease the number of battleships from
| four to six. Although his people lived
| thousand miles from tide water tbnv
were patriotic enough and proud enough
to see their country with a navy ha-
hitting her position as the greatest
country on the globe. He thought II
was time for the United States to enter
upon distinctively national policy. He
referred to the aggressions of Great
Britain and our foreign complications
as an argument for a strong navy.
me republicans pursued 81 similar
course. No party could afford to block
the destiny of the United States and
now mat the republicans We're clothed
with the power they should not hesitate
to carry out the promises made.
MI Hulick of Wisconsin said he en-
dorsed all Mr.. Hanley had said. bur
ne argued that in view of the condition
OF the treasury it was unwise to author
ize more than four battleships iii this
Dill. As to the building of dry docks
the secretary of the navy thought II
was better to eXpend the money to be
appropriated for ships than dry docks
ana oulid the latter at some subsequent
time.
MI. johnson Of California favored the
danley amendment for six battlesbips
instead of four He ridiculed the bra
Vado with which we had during the
past few months announced our will
ihgness to declare war on the first class
powers OF the world. With our navy
our pretcnsions We're preposterous. In
the event of war with Great Britain we
would be powerless to prevent British
snipS from coming up the Potomac as
they did In 1918 and sacking the capitol
of the United States.
GOD fought as Napoleon, on the sid.
OF the heaviest battalions. We needed
strong navy If we were to continue
70 parade ourselves among the nations
OF the earth with chip on our shoulder.
We must be prepared to fight If the chin
was Knocked off. No matter how Justice
was or might be, the devils in hell
would laugh at our discontinue and
say we deserved our defeat because we
were not prepared.
Mr. Robinson of Pennsylvania argued
in support of the judgment of the com
mlttee. lie had listened, he said. to the
forensic song and dance" of the gen
lieinen from Indiana and California.
put that did not appeal to him. He and
ans people, he said, were in favor of a
iipefai Appropriation for modern navy
to police our coast, but they did not IA
Vor an enormous navy for the purpose
Oh competing with England or conti-
mental powers In a display of militia
rism.
Mr.. Cummings of New York. a mem
DER of the committee. followed with n
stfonS and eloquent speech in favor of
4 larger Increase of the navy.
MI. Boutel1e closed the general dehata
IN Iavor Of abiding by the Judgment of
ING naval committee. This bill would
De the largest authorization for ships In
me history of the country and would
TAX our capacities to the utmost
IN conclusion Mr.. Boutelle expressed
me nope that the Hanley amendment
20 increase the number of battleshins
from four to six, would be voted down
The vote was then taken on tho
amendment, and, on rising vote. II
was defeated, 80 to 1874.
MI. Fisher of New York offered an
amendment authorizing the president
10 oroef one or more OF the vessels au
lhoflzed IN the bill to be built In govern
ment yards when in his opinion salts
factory evidence was furnished him that
they could be built so within the apnro-
priation. 1t was important, he said
that the ship-building plants at the gov
ernment yards ba kept in order.
Inc amendment was defeated. as was
one offered by Mr.. Hilborn of California
10 increase the number of torpedo boats
u pe punt on the Pacific coast from one
to five.
Mr.. Tate of Georgia offered an amend
nent to provide that drauehtsmen and
designers of the plans of the shins
'nouid De citizens of the United States
MI mercer of Nebraska moved to
name one of the battleships Nebraska.
Mr.. Cooper of Pennsylvania caused
some amusement by moving to name
ne ships Quay, Reed. Mckinley and
Allison.
Mr.. Robinson moved to name one
All the amendments We're voted down
ma the bill was then passed.