Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-07
The Matter Of The Price Paid for ArmOr'
Plate.
PRESIDENTIAL VETO SUSTAINED,
a Revised Deficiency Bill, With the
French SpoIintion and bowman
Out, Passed.
Out, Passed.

Mr. Allison, chairman OF the Commit
tee on Appropriations, presented par
tial conference report on the sundry civil
appropriation BILL and made an explana-
ton as to the points on which agreement
had not been reached. The first class
Of these cases was the amendments for
public buildings. The House conferrees
refused to agree to any increase OF the
Limitation OF cost; and also refused 10
agree to the appropriations for public
buildings in the capitals Of the new States
Of Idaho. Wyoming, Utah. and Mon
tana. The buildings where the House
conferrees refused 10 increase the limit
of cost were those at Kansas City, Mo.
Savannah, Ga. and Camden. n. j.
Mr.. Hawley Republican,. Of Con-
necticut, inquired as TO the Senate amend
ment appropriating $4,000 for a post-ohice
building at Fort Monroe.
Mr. Allison replied that there was a
disagreement as to that building. There
was also failure TO agree on several other
Senate amendments.
Mr. Dubois moved that the Senate in
sist on the amendment for public build
ings in the new States OF Idaho, Mon
tana, Utah, and Wyoming.
Senators Sewell, Vest. Morrill,, Bacon,
Platt, and Cullom Joined IN advocating
the proposition that the Senate Insist
on all its amendments for public build
ings. Mr.. Dubois then, at the request
of Mr.. Sewell, modified his motion by
making it apply TO all the public build
ings. instead Of confning it to those OF
the four new States. The motion, thus
modified was agreed 10 unanimously,
and a new conference was ordered.
INDIAN BILL.
The conference report on the Indian
appropriation bill was presented. The
item in regard TO the legal fees on the
claims Of the "Old Settlers" or Cherokee
Indians ($S3,O00), is modified by directing
the Secretary OF the Interior to retain
the 80 per cent. fund until otherwise au-
thorized by law. The item as TO con-
tract schools for Indian children is modi-
fed by limiting the time of their fur
ther continuance 10 July, 1887, instead
of July, 1898. The report, which is a
final one, was agreed 10.
The House bin to expedite The delv-
cry Of imported parcels and packages.
not exceeding 500 in value, was taken up,
amended, and passed-after an cXplana-
ton by Mr. Aldrich Republican). OF
Rhode Island, that the bill as amended
merely permitted imported merchandise
not intended for sale to be expedited
the express company giving bonds to the
government
The conference report on the naval ap-
preparation bill was presented and read.
The amendment reducing the number OF
new battleships from four 20 two IS nodi-
fed by making the number three, and
the price for armor-plate instead Of be-
ing limited TO $3.50 a ton, is limited
TO 1926, with instructions TO the Secre-
tary Of the Navy 10 inquire what a fair
price would be, and to report at the next
session of Congress.
Mr.. Pettlgrew characterized the price
for armor-plate proposed in the confer
ence report as an outrageous concession
to the Carnegie and Bethlehem comblna-
tion. and asked what position the Re-
publican party occupied in the coming
campaign.
you will hear from this report" he
exclaimed, Eat every school-house meet
ing. We have an antitrust law; yet we
propose TO become the third party TO a
trust"
Mr.. Bacon said, that. although he had
favored the construction Of four battle
ships. he would now decline 10 vote for
10 be paid for at the excessive rate Of
Si25 per ton.
ARMOR-PLATE IN GENERAL.
A long discussion ensued on the ques-
tion of armor-plate, in the course Of
which Mr.. Gormon said that, as one OF
the Senate conferrees, he had not been
able to agree to the report, but that he
was convinced that no better terms
could be obtained from the House con-
ferrees. Referring to a statement made
In the debate that some of the plate
furnished by the. Bethlehem and Carnegie
works 10 foreign governments was de-
fective and fun Of "blow-holes." Mr..
White suggested jocularly that It was
"a good thing To furnish our enemies
with armor-plate which we can pene-
trate." Uaughter)
Mr.. Hale. In charge Of the conference
report, closed the debate He said the
result which the conferrees had come 10
was the best that could be done II the
Senate believed that its conferrees had
not done the best they could II should
reject the report; and then the danger
was that the House cOnferrees would
fall back upon the original House pro-
position for four new battleships, and
for the highest figures for armor-plate.
Finally, the debate closed. and the con-
ference report was disagreed to-yeas, p;
nays. q. A further conference was or
dered.
The House bin to constitute a new
division of the Eastern Judicial District
of Texas. and to provide for the holding
of terms Of court at Beaumont. Tex, and
for the appointment of a clerk for said
court. was passed-with an amendment.
The Senate, at 5:l5, adjourned until
Monday noon.
House OF Representatives.
Although this was 10 be individual sus-
pension day, in order TO enable the House
TO dispose of certain measures which were
being pressed upon the Speaker for con-
sideration, but one such measure was
acted upon by the body in a session pro-
longed largely beyond the usual period.
That was the Senate bill to regulate
fourth-class mail matter which was
passed on motion of Mr.. Loud Republi-
cam, Of California. The effect of the Dill
is to shut out Of the mails the supplies
and stores OF the Executive departments,
which, under a liberal construction OF the
postal laws and regulations. have been
held 10 be mailable matter. Mr.. Loud
stated that 1t cost the government ~
cents a pound TO carry this stun, whereas
IL could be transported by express at not
to exceed cents pound.
Mr. Powers, Of Vermont. brought up the
bill clothing the purchasers Of the At
lantic and Pacific railroad, under fore
closure sale. with the same powers privi-
lcees. and obligations as those possessed
bv the original corporation, but II was
withdrawn 10 avoid "a hostile vote
The greater part OF the afternoon was
devoted to the Presidents veto OF the
general deficiency appropriation bill. 1t
was vigorously attacked by Messrs. Ma
,.or ~ Kentucky and GrOsyeuor of