The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-02-24

representative SuiIoWay or New Hamshire
Aims Sarcastic Remarks at "The Hub. y
The Naval Appropriation Bill Passes
the House.
Washington, February a3.-After the
Senate amendments to several House
bills had been agreed to, the House vent
into committee of the whole to further
consider tho naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. Barrett offered an amendments pre-
viding for the construction of dryiock
at the Boston navy yard not to cost more
than a million dollars and appropriating
500, 600 to begin the work. Mr.. Barrett
said there were only two nations with
which ID was possible for the United
States to come in conflict. One was
Spain and the other nation was Great
Britain withs the bases of operations at
several points on or near the boundaries
of the United States. The principal one
was Halifax, which was admirably fitted
as base of operations of the North At
lantic coast. The naval authorities
agreed that in case sea fight occurred
lish and American ships it would take
place in Massachusetts bay. The Boston
navy yard was therefore the natural
base of operations for the squadrons OF
the United States, and every reason ex-
listed for adding dry dock to its facili-
ties. Without such dock every vessel
seriously disabled in the conflict would
almost inevitably be lost.
The interests of the Boston navy yard
had been absolutely set aside for ten
years past, In favor of Norfolk and New
York. The Philadelphia navy yard was
the best appointed for ship construction.
but none had been built there. Asking
the reason why Of prominent naval
official at the department. today, Mr.
Barrett said he had been told that the
construction of ships were ordered be
made in the yards located in states sup
norod to be doubtful. This, he thought,
was a shameful and dangerous policy OF
motive to control great department OF
the government in the conduct of public
business,
In conclusion, Mr. Barrett urged the
necessity and expediency alike Of provid-
ing ample docking facilities. Without
them, he said. the navy would be fleet
ing show, an idle pageant for parades in
time of peace and fit for nothing in war.
Messrs. Dolittle, Republican Of Wash
inRton, Tyler, Democrat of Virginia and
Boutslle Of Maine, replied to Mr. Bar
rett.
Mr.. Sulloway, Republican Of New
Hampshire, made point nj order against
Mr.. Bnrrett's amendment that 1T was
new legislation. In his opinion Boston
was the worst possible place on the coast
L. aoid hyyQ a nv
accident or providence of GOD, a naval
vessel should be got into the dry dock.
she only way it could be got cut would
be to take it apart, ship the pieces to
Portsmouth, put them together and then
launch it upon So feet of water there was
there. He sympathized with the efforts
of the people Of Boston TO make 1T sea-
port. (Laughter.) After they mad dug
ont the mud and blasted out the rocks in
merchantmen to try to turn around there,
hs would unite with them In their efforts
to get a dry dock.
Chairman Sherman, after argument
against the point of order by Mr.. Barrett,
sustained it, aud the amendment fell
Mr.. Barrett offered an amendment
directing the President to appoint a
board of naval and army officers to ex-
anime and report upon the necessity of a
dry dock on the Atlantic coast above
Cape Cod and whether 1t should be
located at Boston or PortSm outh.
Mr.. Hillborn. Republican of California,
offered as a substitute, provisions author-
izing the Secretary of the Navy to ap-
point a board of competent officers to
take this whole subject of dry docks into
consideration and report. These propo-
sltions led to irregular discussion which
developed considerable friction between
Messrs. Boutelle and Barrett. The form
er said the amendment was utterly un-
necessary and expressed the opinion that
dry docks would he built, not only on
the Atlantic coast but elsewhere, as aeon
as the condition of the treasury would
warrant the expenditure, and Congress
considered the eyigency pressing enough
20 consider the matter. He lamenred the
DELAY in the passage of the bill referring
TO the opposition of Mr.. Barrett as
ssfactioue,' After an samendment advo-
Gated BY Mr.. Fitzgerald and other mem-
hers from Massachusetts,, Mr.. Boutells
demanded vote, refusing to permit Mr..
Barrett to make an inquiry.
MIR. Barrett blandly asked the chair
man: sis the effect of the motion OF the
gentleman from Maine to cut off further
debate on the amepdment?"
Mr.. Boutane, replying for the chair,
man-"It is" iTA -
iected and Mr.. Barlstt's amendment was
defeated, receiving only about half a
dozen votes. Later, Mr.. Barrett referred
to MIR. Boutelle's refusal to permit him
to make an inquiry and said that in
view of the many Interruptions to which