The morning times., 1897-03-04

the bill to amend the laws relating to
navigation. This is the hill for which
Senator Frye was denounced on the idea
that it restored flogging in the American
merchant marine. In his eX Xplanation yes
terday he showed that the object OF the
bill was TO relieve sailors who were sub
Jected TO assault or Imprisonment on the
part OF a captain or officer from the oaus
OF proof that the assault was inspired
by malice, hatred, or revenge" words
used in eX isting law. He also showed that
flogging in the American merchant mar
inc was prohibited by an act passed in
1850; so that those who made such
charge against him were he said, fools
or insane. The conference report was
agreed TO.
The conference report, final, was made
on the postoffice appropriation bin and
was agreed to without any question or
discussion. That on the Indian appropria-
ton bin was only partial. The points that
were still left open: To contract schools;
tie Five Civilized Tribes; the Uncopas In
dian reservation in Utah, and the fees OF
attorneys for the old settlers or Cherokee
Indians. A further conference was ordered
on these unadjusted matters
The next conference report acted upon
was on the bill relating to copyrights, which
MIR. Platt, Of Connecticut, stated had moth
ing TO do with newspapers, and only pro-
bibited the false use Of the word copy
righted." The report was agreed to.
MI hale presented a partial conference
report on the naval appropriation bin and
made an explanation of it. He said that all
the genral items in dispute had been ar
ranged and that the controverted matters
which were still open were as to the in
crease of the Navy by torpedo boats and as
to the price of steel armor for ships There
was nothing which the Senate could do
except give the House an opportunity to
pass upon the Senate amendments.
Mr Chandler, who had offered the amend
ment reducing the price OF armor to
$500 a ton, expressed his regret that the
House cunferees had not agreed to il.
He asked Mr Hale whether tie conferees
had had before them the offer of the
Illinois steel Company to supply the armor
at $3.50 a ton.
Mr. Hale answered that il had not been
before the conferees in any formal way,
but that il had been referred to. In coli
sidering whether it was practicable TO
get armor plate at that pTice-of which he
had had some doubt-the attitude Of
the Illinois Steel Company was a fair
subject OF consideration.
Mt Chandler remarked that he had in
ouired yesterday as to the time within
which it would be necessary for the build
ers of the battlcships TO have the first
of the armor plate, and learned that it
would be in time in about eight months
from this time He had also been led
to believe that the new plant for the
production of armor plate could be put
in operation within that time.
Mr. Hawley declared that ne had an
absolute. entire, and complete incredulity
as to the ability of any company to get
up armor plate plants within any such
time.
Mr.. Chandler replied that he could not
undertaketo fathomthel length and breadth
and height and depth OF the Senator S
incredulity, but he thought that the sena-
tor was not posted, and was wrong
Mr. TiIlman inquired whether the vote
of the Senate defeating the proposition
for the establishment OF armor works 10y
the government could he reconSidered. We
are in no big hurry ne said. These
three battleships now under construction
the country that the Senate should be on
tile double quick to give these iron and
steel monopolists a high price for arIroT
plate. Let US be reasonable and decent. >
Mr. Hale remarked that the discus
sion was interesting, but that It did not
bear on the question before the Senate
which was on agreeing TO the con
ferees' report.
Mr. TiIlman: Il suppose it is in Order to
reconsider the vote rejecting that amend
ment."
Mr.. Hale: mo sir; that matter has
gone out of our jurisdiction. The Senate
voted on the amendments by yeas and nays
and voted it down"
Mr. Tfllman: But l have seen the Sen
ate do a thing at night and turn Round tho
next morning and undo, In its cooler
moments, some Of the foolish things it hao
done at night
The discussion was continued by Senators
German and Smith. Mr.. German argued
against a government manufacturing estab
lishment. declaring that with it the plate
instead of costing S400 ton would cost
$1,000.
In alIusion to a remark of Mr.. German as
TO the action Of the Senate on this subjec'
last season, Mr.. TiIlman exclaimed ''thal
was when we were ali drunk with
politics.
IL was not drunk with politics. Mr.
German said. Il dealt with the question
then precisely as / deal with it Eow. 1
was a subject entirely out Of politics.
y beg TO suggest said Mr.. Tilman
THAT tile exigencies of the situation
REQUIRED that these three large eStab
ushments should be kept at work @n'
might be induced-as they were all Re
publicans-to contribute handsomely &
the campaign fund. ! DO not know hoy
that was. / am merely guessing. l an
lust shooting in the air" Haughter1
After further discussion the report wa
agreed to and a further conference wa
ordered.
other House bills on the calendar wer
passed as follows:
AS To fees for transcripts of records il
thc health department Of the District o
Columbia.
For the settlement of the judgmen
against William Lockand James II Tinsey
of Louisville, XIV. as contractors for ma
contractor, on payment of S1,1o2.
To authorize the Washington and Gle
Echo Railroad Company to obtain right c
way and construct tracks into the Distrie
of Columbia COO feet with amendments
Forthe reasse essment of water main take
in the District of Columbia.
To relieve Francisco Perua from the di
ability Of an alien owning real estate
the District of Columbia.
To authorize the Pittsburg, Monongahel
and Wheeling Railroad Company to col
struct bridge over the Monongahela Rive
Granting rights OF way to the Galycsto