The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-15
Speech by Mr. Squire ON the Necessity
ing Coast Cities and Towns.
POSER FROM MIR. CHANDLER
QUESTION FOR DEMOCRATS WHO
OPPOSE THE SEATING OF DUPONT.
FOrtificatiOns Bill Passed by the
House After a Warm Debate ON
Our Foreign Complications.


apparent after lively colloQuy in the Sem
ate to-day that there was no disposition
among the silver and Populist Senators to
allow the resolution for a Senate inquiry
into the recent bond issues to lapse. By
unanimous consent 1t had been set for con-
sderation at 2:15 to-day. but at that time
Mr.. Chandler was proceeding with a speech
on the Dupont case. Mr.. Gray was waiting
to follow and Mr.. Cullom had an appropria-
ton bill in reserve. This precipitated a
clash in which Mr.. PETER. reinforced by
Mr.. Wolcott, of Colorado and Mr.. Stewart,
of Nevada, asserted with emphasis that the
bond resolution could not be crowded out
either by design or inadvertence. An agree
ment was finally reached that the bond reso-
luton would come up Immediately after Mr..
Chandler and Mr.. Gray concluded their
speeches. Mr.. Squire made an elaborate
presentation of the pressing need of coast
defenses, pointing out the defenseless con-
dition of our graf seacoast harpors. Mr..
Chandler occupied most of the afternoon in
support of Mr. Dupont's claims to seat in
the Senate.
The venerable figure OF the Senate, Mr..
Morrill,, of Vermont, reached the ripe age
of eighty-six years to-day, and the event
was referred to in the opening prayer of
the chaplain, Rev. DR.. Miiburn, who spoke
of the white-haired Senator as hale In body.
clear, sound and vigorous In intellect,
teemed by his brother Senators, by his
State and by the whole country At the
conclusion Of the prayer Mr.. Morrill, re-
ceived congratulations from many Of his as
sociates. AS a mark of respect to Mr.. Nor
rill, the Senate directed that the chap
iain's prayer be inserted in the Record.
Shortly after the session opened Mr.. Nor
rill gave an added evidence of his vigor
by announcing that Thursday next he
would speak on the necessity of additional
quarters for the national museum.
MR.. SQUIRE'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Squire was then recognized for a
speech on the need of coast defenses. He
said, in part: What an absurd spectacle
has the Congress of the United States pre-
scented during the present session by it's
persistent talk in favor of the Intervention
by the United States in behalf of Cuba and
Venezuela. How cheap is all this talk sin
cere though it may be on many occasions.
Every man who has Informed himself on
the subject of national defenses knows that,
nation, we are not in condition to I'M
dertake war or suffer war. We can talk
loud and long and profess sympathy, pass
resolutions and make believe to ourselves
that we are actually taking a hand in the
diplomatic affairs and international ques-
lions of great moment; but those who are
not Self-deceived by egotistical glamor and
who know the facts are perfectly aware
of the painful truth that all this demon
stration is mere talk and buster and vapid
sentiment, or, at most, Ii Is a sympathy
that is easily satisfied with merely verbal
expressions.
THE people," he continued. do not know
how shamefully their interests are being
represent them in the halls of Congress.
They do not know that the great seacoast
cities, teeming with wealth. are exposed
ana defenseiess against attack by foreign
navies with vessels far outnumbering ours
In strength. They do not know that our
navy itself may be hopelessy crippled by
the destruction of our undefended navy
yards, depots of supplies. dock yards, pow
der mills and arsenals." The Senator said
all the evidence taken by the committee
on coast defenses had gone to show that
the condition OF our SeacoaSt defenses is
lamentable in the extreme. The defensive
works are of character incapable of re-
sistIng modern artillery The evidence is
overwhelming" he said, that in case OF
war our whole people would suffer i'm
measurably. From such investigation as
has been practicable it is evident that a
large amount of destructible property, es-
timated at not less than 10000 900 in value.
is exposed to attack. or at least to heavy
assessment for the purpose Of securing i'm
The Senator argued that the suggestion
to defend our coasts and seaport cities by
fleets is impracticabfe. for 1t will. he said
require expenditures running up into sew
eral hundred million dollars to do the work
effectively. The navy is designed for ag-
gresslve operations. Our foreign COM
ARE alike without harbors of refuge behind
land defenses. Our great dry docks and
shipbuilding yards, our arms factories and
powder mills near the coast are subject Ia
q and n,
out protected bases for receiving supplies
and for effecting the repairs that are con-
ss5yss eSued and yet we plume
Senator expressed the hope that the bill
providing for the expenditure of $4,000, 00t
for seacoast defenses would be adopted
without serious modification.
CHANDLER ON THE DUPONT CASE.
At the close of Mr.. Squire's speech Mr.
Chandler took the floor in support OF the
Dupont claim. He caid this was the first
! case in the history of the government that a
Governor claimed the right to vote for a
Senator. Mr.. Chandler presented a novel
| analogy to the Dupont case. as follows
Can the Vice President of the United
States become President on the happening
of vacancy, take the oath Of office as Pres
| ident and perform his duties at the execu.
tive mansion. keep watch of the proceeding:
House bill about to be defeated by lie
vote. come from the executive mansion tc
| the Senate chamber. crowd from his seal
| the President pro tenn. and preside himself
declare the vote tie, give his casting vote
in the affirmative, securing the passage Of
| the bill, and then return TO the executive
| mansion and sign the bill and make II
| law" Mr.. Chandler passed to Senators
slips containing this question and invited q
| reply to 1t.
| At this point Lively coTloquy occurred OF
| taking nm tho reeolution for a gaoafa IN
CURRY into the recent bond issues. Mr. PEI
| fer called attention to a unanimous agree
ment that his bond resolution should b,
| taken up at 2:15 to-day. Mr.. Chandler de
| sired to go on, and Mr.. Gray said he WISHED
| 10 follow. Mr.. Cul.om also pointed out tina
| appropriation bills were pressing
| Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada, protested agains
| side-tracking the bond investigation sit 4
more important to know whether II is 10 b,
| the policy to 60 on issuing bonds withou
limit than IL is to pass appropriation bills.
declared Mr.. Stewart IF all this money Il
| 10 be raised by bonds, then you must get rio
/ Stewart said he would ask before long how
much money was on hand TO meet thes'
/ appropriations. He added that II there wa
| any disposition to crowd out this bond inves
| tigation then he would object now. ever
10 the discourtesy of the Senator on tn,
| floor CMr. Chand.er.)
Mr.. PETER said he willing to wal
| until Mr. Chandler finished his speech. bu
Mr.. Gray objected TO an arrangement OF
this basis unless he was included.
Mr.. Morrill, thereupon made point Of or
| the highest privilege and that a Senato
| speaking on IL could not be taken of III