The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-15
PASSED BY THE HOUSE.
The Fortificatfons Appropriation Bill
Adopted After Debate.


The Fortificatfons Appropriation Bill
Adopted After Debate.
WASHINGTON. April 1.-THE House to-
day passed. without amendement. the forth
fications bill. carrying appropriations and au-
thorizatio- involving an expenditure Of zl.-
SSi.6l3. a appropriations for Notifications
since tho 'cott commission. 1856. re-
ported ! for the defense OF twenty
seven rs. at an approximate cost Of
Aoo,coc,ooo have averaged something over
100000 annually. During the debate to-day
there were number of references to our
foreign complications and the necessity OF
preparing for any possible emergency Only
one voice was raised against the passage
or the bill Mr.. Berry thought ii would be
wisdom to build ships capable OF coping with
the most powerful battle ships of other ma
tons rather than erect fixed fortifcations
on our coasts.
Mr.. Bingham presented the conference re-
port on the legislative. executive and judi
cial appropriation bill. and explained. with
reference to the paragraphs to abolish the
fee system in the case Of marshals. attor-
neys and United States commissioners. that
the whole question had been referred to a
joint committee OF the judiciary committees
of the two houses, who were to consult with
the Attorney-general and report to the con-
ference committee. The Senate. he said.
had added $4,000 to the House BILL OF
which $4,000 had been disposed of by the
House agreeing to $4,000. the Senate yielding
the balance. About $4,000 still remained
in dispute. OF that amount $4,000 was for
the increase Of the salary list Of the Senate
employees, and as to this last he predicted
the House would have to yield. The record
showed that the average cost of employees
to each member OF the House was 1888. while
that of each member of the Senate was
si,4S. Justice 10 the House, he said, re-
qured that these facts sho1ld be made 20
torious
Mr.. Dockery followed In the same line.
He thought it but fair that the House should
understand that the Senate had insisted on
addition OF thirty-eight annual clerks to
Senator's not chairmen of committees. and
had also insisted on the increase OF COM
pensation of their individual clerks from
81 200 to $780,
Mr. Hartman caused a scattering of APP
plause by stating that he proposed TO oner
resolution 10 instruct the conferees 10 yield
10 the Senate. with an amendment for an
nual clerks for members OF the House.
Mr. Cannon. chairman OF the appropria-
tons committee. said that such a resolution
paw for their clerks during vacations. he
said. IL must be either done by independents
legislation or by appropriating the money
from the contingent fund Of the House.
Mr.. Hartman's molten was ruled out and
the report was then adopted and further
conference agreed to- Messrs- Bingham.
Dockery and Mccall were appointed confer
The House then went into committee OF
the whole and took consideration OF the
Notifications appropriation bill. Mr.. Hainer.
in charge OF the bill, explained its provi-
sions. In the course OF his remarks Mr..
Hainer dwet on the necessity. with oun
tore ia
tons, for an adequate system OF coast de-
lenses.
Mr.. Bartlett. in support of the Dill. called
attention to the helpless and defenseless con-
dition of our seacoast cities. To-day we are
a fifth-rate naval power. We were building
a navy, and in his opinion the construction
of coast defenses should go hand I'm hand
with the strengthening of the navy. We
are to-day absolutely at the mercy OF any
power whose navy was superior 20 ours
with graver interest than this. The whole
country was united in favor OF coast forti-
fications.
Mr.. Livingston, a member OF the appropri-
atoms committee also favored the bill. He
thought. perhaps. that the great increase IN
600. as against 100000 last year, needed
explanation in view of the fact that we are
borrowing money at a heavy sacrince to pay
current expenses. Il congratulate the coun-
| try" he continued that IL is now conceded
| that Mckinley Will be the next Republican
nominee and that the A. +. A VIII beat
fersonian Democracy will control the Chi
cago convention and give relief 10 the coun-
| try. After March 4 next the country viii
| be safe" Mr.. Livingston proceeding. SAID
| that he did not anticipate war with England
| or Spain, but that IL was good policy and
| good common sense to prepare for a possible
contingency.
"Do you know that England has sent
forty-five rapid-hring guns 10 Kingston.
| Canada. for the protection OF the lakes
asked Mr. Walsh.
lit matters not IL she has sent 400 guns.
| repiied MIR. Livingston I'VE can. in the
event of war, take Canada in three weeks.
no matter how many guns or men she might
send there" (Appause.)
After some further remarks by Messrs-
Savers Baker and Hemenway the general
debate was closed with brief speech by
Mr. Cannon. chairman of the appropriations
Committee who eulogized the bill as the
best Notifications bill presented 10 the House
| in twenty wears. He did not think there was
danger OF war in this century. at least, but
| with vast territory 10 the north and south
| which we were bound eventually to possess.
| il was right and proper that we should at
all times be prepared for any emergency.
| The work should go on The mere making
| of these appropriations and our ackncwl-
/ edged ability TO make the forgings OF the
| great guns TO be set UP in defense OF our
| great seacoast cities would strengthen the
executive in the present diplomatic compii-
| cations.
The bill was then read. and. without
| amendment. was reported and passed At
| A * N aGiourupd