The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-29
Senate Asked to Appropriate
Over $2o,ooo,ooo.
FOR BUILDING OF SHIPS
A Lively Debate Between Cor
man and Sherman.
|. G cNolTloN OF THE TREASURY
The Only Relief offered by the Present
Republican Congress Was a
sill increasing Revenues
S5o.OOo,ooO.

Washington, April 28.-The Senate
resumed consideration of the Naval
Appropriation bill after some routine
business had been disposed OF to-day.
The pending question was on the
amendment offered by Mr.. Chadler,
(Rep., II. H., making it unlawful for
retired naval officers to enter the ser
vice Of contractors furnishing naval
material to the government.
Before proceeding to debate this
amendment Mr.. Bacon, (Dem., Ga.),
reported an important new amend
ment from the committee on Naval
Affairs 1t provides as a condition to
the building of four batttleships, as
provided by the bill, that in case the
Secretary Of the Navy makes separate
contracts for aT1nor or armor plate he
shall not accept bids exceeding $3.50
per ton, for such armor and in case
the Secre etary cannot make contracts
within such limits he shall delay ac-
tion and report the facts to the next
session of Congress.
The Chandler amendment led to gem
eral debate on armor plate. Mr.. Haw-
lev, (Rep., Conn.,, spoke Of the early
movement with which he was identi-
fed toward inducing American manu-
facturers to go into the business of
making armor plate. 1t was not a
mere matter of dollars and cents, Mr..
Hawley said, but patriotism had no
little to do with the opening of armor
shops in the United States which had
reflected great credit on this country.
Mr.. Chandler severely criticised the
practice of allowing naval officers to
enter the service of naval contractors.
The Senator spoke of the difficulty Of
accomplishing any reform owing 70
personal friendship and sentiment
brought to bear on Congress.
Mr.. Tillman, Dem, s. O., also parti-
cipated in the criticism, saying it was
time to get back to a moral basis in
this branch of the naval service.
After extended debate the amend
ment Of Mr.. Chandler was agreed to
45-11. As adopted the provision a.
gainst naval officers Terying naval con-
tractors goes into effect June 80, 1897.
This brought the Senate to 'the most
important feature Of the bill appro-
prfating for four battleships to cost
So. .750,0 600 each, for three 30-knot tor
pedo boats at $800,O0O, and for ten
torpedo boats at S500,000.
Mr German moved an aDendment to
fix tie number Of battleships at two
instead of four.
Mr.. Quay moved an amendment 70
the amendment fixing the number Of
battleships at six.
Mr. German then addressed tine Sen
alte in support of his amendment He
spoke Of the enormous sums given By
this bill, and traced the expenditures OF
recent years in developing the new
Navy. OF late the building Of ships
had been hastened. The whole country
had been stirred up by the message OF
the Executive, and responsive to this
the public and press had been in 4
state Of excitement as to our relations
with other nations.
AS d result of this agitation, Com
gress began to put the country on war
footing.
When Congress assembled it was
informed BY the Executive that the
financial conditions of the country
were Of the first moment; that the
condition of the Treasury demanded
economy or the country would be con-
fronted with one OF the alternatives:
either an increase of taxation or else
the sale of bonds. But when the war
scare took possession of us, more yes,
sells were demanded, appropriations
greater than those of war times were
proposed, and the Secretary of the
Navy revised his recommendation Of
two battleships by proposing from
four to six battleships. Mr.. German
quoted the response of Secretary Her
bert before a committee Ito the effect
that the condition of the Treasury JUS
titled liberal appropriations for the
navy.
".This from a Cabinet officer" said
Mr.. German, twas considered a justi-
fcation for these enormous appropria-
tions IN time of peace, in face of the
fact known to every Senator that there
was not revenue enough to pay the Or
binary expenses of the government.
That there had been, is and will be
deficit in the Treasury; that there has
not been for four years sufficient re-
ceiyed to meet the appropriations of
Congress" The Senator added, that
the amounts paid for pensions and
ships, 1862, 100000, came from the sale
Of bonds. This presented the question,
~ ~ FA7G III tt4iG ~ l}N<k@C A0 4AAtAAN1
these great preparations. which mean
the sale Of more 4 or AZ per cent.
bonds. for 1T was evident that there
would be no legislation in this Con-
gress for the relief Of the Treasury
Mr.. German had been speaking with
much earnestness. and it was evident
that debate Of more than passing In
terest had opened. The galleries quick
ly filled, and the rear and side areas
we're crowded with representatives
who came over from the House. Dur
ing Mr.. Gorman's last statement Mr.