The Indianapolis journal., 1896-05-06
BY A VOTE OF 141 To 81.
The House Decides to Stand by Its
Four Battle Shfps Proyision


&. WASHINGTON, May 5.-The opponents of
four battle ships sustained an overwhelming
defeat in the House to-day on the PROPOSE
ton to accept the Senate amendment to the
naval appropriation bill reducing the num-
ber to two. Mr.. Sayers, ex-chairman of the
appropriations committee made the motion
and in its support argued that the question
presented was purely a business one ard
he appealed TO the House not to allow po.it-
ical matters to influence it's judgment. He
proceeded to contrast the appropriations OF
the present session with the available rev.
enues. The direct appropriations for the
next fiscal year as they passed the House
were 50o.000000, while the total estimated
revenue was but $464OOOOO0. If no provis-
ion were made for the sinking fund (s50, ,0O0
00O the total outstanding direct obliga-
tions would be s455. 100000, leaving a work
ing balance OF $9,000,0C0. But in addition
contracts were authorized in the sundry bill.
naval and fortifcations bills aggregating
S95. 100000. In other words this would be
nine millions of dollars to meet almost
hundred millions of expenditures. With this
situation staring Congress in the face, he
argued that it was wise to retrench. MIR.
Boutelle. chairman of the naval committee,
who replied to Mr.. Sayers. thought it unfor-
tunate that these business facts had not
been brought into the House when we were
undertaking to regulate boundary lines in
South America and in other ways asserting
the Drimacy of the republic. Not a sug-
gestion was made then that Jess than four
battle ships should be authorized. At that
time also he said be had the best of reasons
for believing that the Senate would agree
to four ships; indeed, the fear was that the
upper branch of Congress would go further
and authorize six.
Mr.. Cummings, in opposition to Mr.. Say
ers's motion, criticised that gentleman for
proposing TO surrender to the Senate without
firing a gun. He recalled the manner in
which the Senate had forced the House to
accept its amendment to the last naval ap-
preparation bill and TO accept the tariff
was TING for the House TO make a stand
against the arrogance of the American
House of Lords"
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the appropria-
tiOns committees, took strong position in
favor of Mr.. Sayers's motion. on the ground
of the inevitable deficiency in the revenues
ne said. was mortgaging the future for
$lG0, 100000. That was the candid truth
That meant a charge of s25. 100000 Der an
rum for each year of the next Republican
administration.
But we will raise additional revenue"
suggested a Republican.
will require eighteen months to write new
revenue bill on the statute books. In the
meantime, II we put mortgage on the
treasury we will be obliged TO borrow mon
ey to pay 1t off. Gentlemen on this side of
the House must understand this"
He did not want his motives 10 be mis-
understood. He stood ready TO see public
buildings and public works in his section
stand still, If necessary, for the defense of
the honor of the country. but he desired
first to be convinced that the necessity ex-
listed.
Mr. BouteEe concluded the debate with
brief protest against placing all the onus of
extravagant appropriations on the naval
committee.
Mr.. Sayerss motion was defedteG-S1 to 141
On Mr.. Boutelle's motion the House re-
quested further conference with the Sem
ate. y special order was adopted to set
aside tomorrow and Wednesday, the 13th
for the consideration of private pen
sion bills ten minutes debate to be given
TO each bill. There are 405 private pension
bills on the calendar.
Mr.. Crisp contended that no bill could be
Loud also opposed the adoption of the order.
net so sacred to justify their passage
without consideration.
Mr.. Henderson said that when the mailed
hand of the administration was held above
the interests of the old soldiers, legislation
was needed If ten hours were allowed for
debate on each bill Democra tic tongues
charged with venom and gall would be
found TO consume IT, He hurled back the
imputation that this rule was brought In
for campaign purposes. and intimated that
some of the obstructionists on the other
side found obstruction to pensions a great
campaign card in the South. At Ais D. m
the House adjourned.