The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-04-23
CONGRESS.
Abstract of the More Important Pro-
ceedingS of Both Houses
Tuesday. APRIL ia.

APRIL Is
In the Senate. Mr. Squire Wash. r., was
recognized for speech on the need OF coast
defenses The Senator said all the evidence
taken by the Committee Coast Defenses
showed that the condition OF our seacoast de-
fenses is lsments'l lie in the extreme. The de-
fensive works are of q character incapable oil
resisting modern artillery. The evidence is
overwhelming that in case of war our whole
people would suffer immeasurably. From
such investigation as has been practicable, II is
evident that n large amount of destructiblc
property. estimated at not less than $4,000,
100000 in value, is exposed to attack, or at
least TO heavy assessment for the purpose Of
securing immunity from destruction"
The Senator argued that the suggestion to
defend our coasts aud seaport cities by fleets is
imnracticabe, for il will. he said. require ex-
penditures running mp into several hundred
million dollars to do the work effectively. The
Navy is designed for aggressive operations. III
the policy OF building up the Navy is to be con-
tinued at the expense of having deienseess
shores, then the time has come when a change
of policy must ne made.
In closing heexpressed the hone that the bill
providing for the expenditure of Ss0,000,0o0 for
seacoast defenses would be adopted without
rious mod iication.
In the House, Mr. Bingham pa, r. pre-
scented the conference report on the Begisla-
tive, Executive. and judicial appropriation bill.
Mr. Bingham explained, with reference TO the
paragraphs to abolish the fee system in the case
of Marshals, Attorneys, and United States Com
missiOuers, that the whole question had been
referred 10 joint committee of the Judiciary
Committees of the two houses, who were TO con-
suit with the Attorney-General aud report to
the Conference Committee.
The Senate, he said had added 1929 900 TO
the bill, of which $4,000 had heen disposed of
by the House agreeing to $50 600, the Senate
yielding the balance. About $lS9.000 still
manned in dispute. or that amount $67 600
was for the increase of the salary list OF the
Senate employees. The record showed that the
average cost of employees TO each member of the
House was $685. while that of each member of
the Senate was 81 sS3. Justice to the House,
he said, required that these facts should be
made notorious. lie felt, he said, in conclu-
sion, that if the House couferees continued the
struggle against the increase OF the Senate force
in the end they would be defeated
Mr.. Dockery Mo, d. followed in the same
line. He thought it but fair that the House
should understand that the Senate had insisted
on an addition OF IS annual clerks to Senators
not Chairmen of committees and had also in
sisted on tho increase OF the compensation Of
their individual clerks from 81 200 TO 81 500.
The report then adopted and q further
conference agreed to- Messrs Bingham (Pa1
Dockery (Mo), and Mccall (Tenn.) were ap.
pointed cOnferees
The House then went into Committee Of the
Whole and took up the consideration of the
Notifications appropriation bill. The meas
ure was passed.