The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-17
FIGHT OVER NJ PLATE.
ANIMATED DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
ON THE SUBJECT.

ON THE
HI = Vote or HAo 20 AB the House Insists on
Its Amendment RfxinE the Larnit OF Price st
$500 Ton. and n nc Cannot Ne Purchased
at THAT Price 20 HnstnIi m Arnor Plant.
WARRINGTON, July 16.-After an animated
and at times somewhat acrimonious debate the
House to-day emphasized its belief, once before
expressed In the last Congress, that $500 q ton
was n sufficient price TO pay for armor plate.
The subject was presented in the partial agree
mcnt on the General Deficiency bill. The vote
was lag to 40, q much greater majority than
that shown by the vote on the Naval Appropria-
tion bill near the close Of the Fifty-fourth Con-
Qress. The amendment as thus insisted upon
directs the Secretary of the Navy, in Gaze he
cannot contract for tho armor at the price. to
initiate tho construction Of an armor plant for
the Government.
The conference report on the General Def
cheney bill was laid before the House by Mr..
Cannon Of Illinois. Agreement was ordered on
the amendment authorizing the immediate use
Of $4,000 Of the appropriation for improving
Cumberland Sound for s~luicing and dredging at
tho entrance to the sound; also to that appro-
priating $5, 900 for removing distractions in the
Kootcnai River above jennings Mon.
The armor plate amendment gave rise to an
extended debate, notable for the heat with which
accusations were made against armor plato pro-
ducers. Mr.. Boutello of Maine opposed the &C
ton of the Senate, reviewing at length the his
tory of the establishment Of armor plato plants
in this country. He Inserted that the United
| States paid no moro for its armor plato than the
Governments Of foreign nations, and that 1t
would not be economical for the Government TO
install a plant Of its own, which was the only
! alternative.
Mr.. King of Utah said that the facts proved
beyond peradventure of q doubt that the Car
neRie Company were rascals and scoundrels.
who had sought in their contracts with the Gov.
eminent to foist upon 1t improper and imperfect
work. 1t was conclusively proved, he said. that
fraud had been practised, land 1t Is q Disgrace
for Congress to deal with that company" He
! preferred that the completion Of the ships on the
stocks should be postponed ten years.
Mr.. Dalzell Of Pennsylvania argued against
the Senate amendment, and quoted from the
figures in the report by Secretary Herbert
relating to the cost s Of arm plate; az sa r y
the plate varied from 1882 to nearly 5000 . ton.
Secretary was not now the private attorney for
Mr.. baisseileI Know nothing about that, and
whatever l thought, l should not make such an
insinuation on the floor of the House against an
absent gentleman. .
In conclusion Mr.. Dalzell met tho assertions
of Mr.. King with the statement that no evidence
existed. or ever had. TO- show that Officials q
have the challenged plates, re6xemined at their
the Navy, who said he did not believe q single
imperfect plate was on any vessel.
and earnest defence of the Carnegie Company.
Mr.. Simpson Of Kansas expressed a readiness
the ships now on the stocks rather than to sur
render to the manufacturers.
In concluding the debate, Mr.. Cannon said he
found hia yrpatasf difficulty in the case. not Ia
the matter OF the difference In the price proposed
to be paid, but in the existence, manifested ssnd BY
building battleships. II had seemed, he said. to
in his. that battieships. at a. cost Of Ave or six
millions each, was not in the line of securing an
The debate had developed considerable fric.
ton and it's opponents OF the Senate amendment
S The sofs Tesu ansa:e Yeas. az g Nays sssse 49, On "'''0A'
The House further insisted on its disagree.
journed until Monday.
IN THE sENATE.
The Senate spent the chief part Of its time to.
day in executive session, the doors having been
adjournment took place. During the hour and
a half OF public session a partial report Of the
bill was made and agreed TO. No conclusion
however, had been reached on the most i'm
R RSerase p 1rf@ to on be ' pS.d Poi FOR a srnS p plate for the
three new battleships TO $500 a ton.
A further conference with tne House wet
asked on that and seven other itrms that were
still in dispute. Among the Senate amend
ments which were agreed to were these:
Appropriating $l5O 600 for new fireprooi
buildings at the Ellis Island immigration sta
ton to replace those recently destroyed. and au
thoriZing contracts for the same, not TO exceed
in the aggregate $500. 900.
For repairing building No. 13, Brooklyn NavJ
Yard, recently damaged by fire, 100000.
To pay the families of the three Italians
lynched In Louisiana last year. $4,000.
Accepting the invitation OF the French Gov
eminent to participate in The International Elk
position at Paris in 1900, and authorizing the
appointment OF q Commissioner-General and as
s~istants. 1t carries an appropriation of $4,000
A motion to adjourn over till Monday wa,
made by a Republican Senator (Mr. Quay and
was supported by the votes of most OF his party
colleagues. with Mr.. Allison at their head. Will,
nearly all the Democratic Senators voted no
The position OF the Republicans on that vot,
would appear to indicate no expectation OF
/ their part OF a very carly conference report OF
the Tariff bill.
The resolution requesting tho President t.
J suspend the agreement with the Reconstructed
1 Committee OF the Union Pacific Railway, and Il
clear off the liens that are paramount TO that o
the Government. was taken up. and Mr.. Allei
, Pop. Neb.b concluded the argument which h,
had begun yesterday in favor of 1t. No actor
was taken.
? Dem, Ala.). requesting the President to send Il
) the Senate all the information in possession o
the Government relating to the arrest of Alfred,
II. Hagnet. a citizen of the United States. las
; September, in Havana, by Spanish authority
and as to the conditions imposed upon him 70
his release from prison. Mr.. Morgan gnve
brief account of the matter and the resolution