Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-05-02
II CONGRESS-
The Naval Appropriation
Bill Being Considered
By the Senate.
NEW TORPEDO BOATS
The Picker Pension Bill Again
Before the House for
Consideration.

WASHINGTON, April 28-The naval
appropriation bill was taken up. The
main features are the items for four
sea going battlesbips, designed to carry
the heaviest armour and most power
full ordinance. to cost S3,750,0O0 each;
three torpedo boats having a speed of
thirty knots. to cost 100000, and ten
torpedo boats to cost 100000.
Mr.. Quay offered an amendment 10
creasing the appropriation for reserve
guns for auxiliary cruisers from $3.50,
600 to 100000.
Mr.. German commented on the de-
lay ia furnishing guns at the Washing
ton navy yard. At one time work had
expedited, probably as result OF war
talk. But Of late the contractors failed
to furnish Jackets, ETC., and this occs-
stoned delay. The senator doubted the
expediency OF providing for lot of new
guns and following it up with many
new ships, in view of the present condit-
ion OF the treasury.
MIR. Stewart remarked there was
$3.50, 600, 900 cash balance in the trea-
sury.
eyes, and considerable silver also,'
said German.
After further debate Mr.. Quay's
amendment was agreed to.
Nr. Perkins, republican OF Califor-
mia, moved an amendment appropriate
ing 100000 for q navel training school
at Yerba Buena, California. He argued
American ships should be manned by
Americans and it was desirable to foster
a patriotic spirit among American sea-
men.
MIR. German made vigorous opposi-
ton. He declared this was the fret
step toward a project which might cost
from one 20 five millions and yet it vas
brought in without an estimate. He ap-
pealed to Perkins to withdraw the
amendment.
The California senator consented to
have the appropriations cut to $780,
600.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, April S-Yesterday was
District of Columbia day in the house.
Several district bills We're passed.
Henderson, from the committee on
rules, at 80 p. m. brought: IN q special
order for consideration OF the Picker
oenslon bill for one and half hours
this afternoon under the five minute
rule, the previous question then to be
considered as ordered on the bill pend
ing amendments with provision for a
vote tomorrow Immediately after the
reading of the journal.
Mr. Crisp, democrat of Georgia,
characterized the rule as a remarkable
one. He said it pretended to do one
thing, but did another, as only such
amendments as were adopted in COM
mlttee could be voted on. The practi
cal consequence of the adoption OF this
rule would be to force the house to vote
on the bill without amendment,
Mr.. DingleY, republican OF Maine,
replied that the rule was almost q
literal copy of the rule adopted by the
last house when the Wilson tariff bill
was pending.
"rhat rule permitted the house to
vote on pending amendments when the
tine for debate expired" said Mr.. Crisp.
"1hs gentleman le not candid"
AR. Dingley insisted that the spirit OF
the two rules were the same.
Mr.. Henderson said he made no dis
guise of the fact that the purpose of the
rule was to bring the bill to q vote. He
said the situation in the senate must be
taken into consideration and also the
president in the White House and urged
all friends of old soldiers to stand by the
bill, as The best that could be written
on the statute books st this time.
Mr.. Crisp reiterated his statement
that the purpose Of the rule was to des-
troy the right of amendments and fol-
lowed this with charge that the bill
had been framed, not by the committee
on pensions, but by leaders in control
of the house, who resolved that the
house should pass the bill as drawn or
nothing. THE committee on pensions"
said he, ''spent days and weeks perfect
ing bill and thsn gentlemen who con-
troll legislation and who manage the af-
fans OF this house made this bill out in
the speakers room. This certainly lie
not the bill reported by the pension
committee. Then these gentlemen
brought this rule to protect themselves
against fifteen republican majority
If you adopt the rule you must take
this bill as it stands or nothing" He
concluded sarcasticslly, addressing the
repu blicen side: "It you like the situa-
ton you are welcome to It,"
Mr. Hendersc ridiculed the virtuous
Indignation of Mr.. Crisp. "We do not
hear" be said, 1.-THE solemn voice OF the
star chamber rules committee Of the
past, whose rules are clad in steel, ap-
pealing for more time. / have no con-
cealment to make" he concluded. "The
gentleman says be appeals for an oppor-
tunity to amend this bill, presumably IN
the interest of the old soldier. In the
sans interest ask for action"
Mr.. Cannon, republican Of Illinois,
said as one OF the $50 majority be fav-
ored the rule He had voted the act of
1890, he said, which placed 100000 new
names on the pension roll. When the
present administration assumed control
of the pension office, at one stroke of the
pen 10000 names had been stricken from
the roll and 500 odd thousand pension
ers had pensions placed in jeopardy.
This bill did not, perhaps, go as far as
he wished, but it was the best that
could be passed until the republican
party obtained full power.
Mr. HenbDrp rannhlican of Iowa op-