The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-03
The Number Of Torpedo Boats
Reduced to Thirteen.
THREE ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
Senator Squire Secures an Important
Amendment to the Bill.
Inc River and Harbor Bill to BE
Taken Up Sext-The Bankruptcy
Bill Passed by tho House BY . Largo
Majority.

"asnfFAs1oh lily. May Z--After q weeks
debate. which has taken a wide range. the
senate today passed tire naval apYropria-
ton bill. The entire Gay was gwen I'D 10
the subject A large part OF the time set
apart Tor general debate was devoted
10 political questions foreign 20 me I'M
rneaJate subject The bill passed "a sub
stanialiy as }; was reported from the
committee On appropriations, except tbs
reduction Of the batfieshsps from four to
two. and o. torpedo boats from fifteen 20
thirteen Az amendment was adopted.
orosidsns for the construction Of three
OF the torpedo t9ats on the Pacific coast.
The senate refused TO decrease the num-
Der Of Few seameE authorized by the
house bill.
Chambers amendmen. directing the Sec
retary Of the rayy TO examine into the
merits of methods of propelAag ships by
direct action upon the water. was
agreed to-
The consideration OF Caandler's amend
ment proyiding for twenty torpedo boats.
nj a cost of s4eec.loo. was then proceeded
with. Wolcott said that he had been
Impressed by Germans plea for economy
IaSre vas fair prospect that the unfOr-
tunate Venezuelan incident would end
peacefully, and he thought the admins
iraton's wise conduct in the Cuban mat
ter had avoided the probability OF war with
Spain. He was opposed 10 the amendment.
Hawiey said that It was ludicrous to
talk OF a war OF aggression by this coun-
try. but that the navy was shamefuliy de-
ncisnt In essential particulars.
Lodge complained that the navy had been
selected for the exercise OF economy. when
other appropriation bills had been allowed
10 go through without objection. lie said
the danger of trouble on account OF Cuba
was not past, and by preparing ourselves
for the preservation Of the peace We
can continents.
German. In reply contended that the na-
val bill furnished the nrst instance OF ap-
propriations not necessary for the support
of the government. lie declared that he
had taken the same position on the bill
that he would have taken under Repub-
llcan administration. He said that a year
ago the secretary OF the navy or his assist
ant had gone into the newspapers and de-
nounced him tGormanp personally. This
might have been on account OF the Interest
the administration was taking al that time
In the Maryland elections
Sherman said this country was In no con-
dition to undertake any unnecessary eN-
penses. and the house had made sufficient
provision for torpedo boats. He thought
there was no occasion for any Increase, as
there was no prospect of war with any
power.
German demanded the yeas and nays on
the Chandler amendment The vote re-
suited: Yeas .. nays 80.
The committee amendment for thirteen
torpedo boats was then agreed to. Three
are to have q maximum speed or thirty
knots, to cost not exceeding $4,000. and
ten boats to cost not exceeding s59o.osa.
These are In place of the fifteen torpedo
boats provided for In the house bill. hye
of which were to have a speed OF twenty
six knots and to cost sss5.eoo. and ten boats
to cost sSeo.oso.
Squire offered an amendment providing
for the construction of three OF the tor
peto boats on or near the Pacific coast.
with an allowance of s per cent additional
IN price, which was agreed to.
The committee amendment authorizing
the secretary OF the navy 70 contract for
the building of two submarine torpedo
boats of the Holland type not exceeding
si75.OOo in price was agreed 10.
After considerable discussion the senate
refused to agree 20 thr committee amend
mcnt striking out the house provision Tor
an increase OF go men In the marine corps.
Bacon. Dem. Ga. offered an amend
ment. which was agreed TO, providing
that bids for armor for vessels shall not
be received II they exceed 1850 a ton.
An amendment vas offered by Allen.
providing that one OF the torpedo boats
shall be butt on the Missouri river. Agreed
TO.
German offered an amendment reducing
from 0eo 10 5tS the number OF additional
enlisted men for the navy. Lost. yeas %.
nays q.
German said he did not wonder that
the senator from New Hampshire was Ia
yorsbls 20 increased appropriations. as 4
portion Of the Increase would be required
TO keep the Republican party in power in
Maryland In the near future.
An amendment offered by Hale was
agreed to. providing fer an investigation
of the claims Of contractors who con-
siructed eat;ieshlps and who suffered
losses through no fault OF their own. In
speaking of this amendment Allen took
occasion 80 declare thai the whole bin vas
"recking with fayoritism and johbery from
top 10 bottem. In the center and from the
caticie"
The hili vas then passed. Frye gave no.
tiee that he would ask 10 have the river
and harbor bill taken up Monday. The
senate thea went into executive session
and at $50 adjourned.