The record-union., 1897-07-17
Again the Subject of Discussion in
the Senate.
Allen Of Nebraska Speaks in Favor Of the
Harris Resolution.
The House Agrees to Partial Con-
ference on the General De-
fciency Bill, Concurring in the
Senate Amendment Limiting
the Cost of Armor Plate to $500
ner Ton.


per Ton.
WASHINGTON, July 16.-The open
session of the Senate was beyond
eventful to-day. The Harris resolu-
ton relating to the Union Pacific was
further discussed.
The conference report on the def
cheney appropriation bill was consid-
cred as soon as the Senate met to-
day.
Hale, in charge of the bill, stated
that the price of armor plate was not
included in the report. Nothing had
been done on that subject, except that
the Senate conferrees had stated posi-
lively that the Senate would not con-
slider over $500 for armor.
The report was ordered to a further
conference.
Quay of Pennsylvania moved that
when the Senate adjourn it be until
Monday, but it was lost-25 to Y.
Morgan secured the adoption of
resolution requesting the President for
information as to the arrest of Alfred
o. H. Hugnel, a citizen of the United
States, by the Spanish authorities at
Havana, September 6, 1896. Morgan
briefly cited the circumstances in the
case. and stated that he desired to test
the right of Spain to arbitrarily ban
ish United States citizen doing bust
ness in Cuba without trial or evidence
of his participation in the rebellion.
The resolution was agreed to with
out division.
on motion of Pettigrew of South Da-
kota, the bin was passed to give the
consent of Congress to a compact en-
tered into between the States of South
Dakota and Nebraska. respecting the
boundary between said States.
The Harris resolution relating to the
sale of Government interests in the
Union Pacific Railroad was then taken
UP. and Allen of Nebraska continued
his speech in support of the resolu-
tion.
After discussing the kegal points In
volved, Allen declared that If Congress
n elected at this time to stay The Gov
eminent interest in this road, involV-
ing a loss of $50. 600, 600 it would be
the greatest blow and strain upon this
Government that had been made in all
tins. years of our national existence.
Thurston of Nebraska interrupted to
state that the railroad debt was al
most $4,000. 600. while the guaranteed
bid was $40. .0OO, 900, and that the loss
could not exceed 1000, 600. There
was a. spirited discussion at one point
in Aliens remarks, when Warren OF
wyoming sought to call attention 10
the absence of a quorum
Allen declined to yield for this pur-
pose. and the presiding officer was in
doubt as to the right of Senator to
cali attention to the absence of a quo
rum when the Senator on the floor de-
clined to yield.
Hale said it was a most unusual pro-
cedure.
Warren finally withdrew his point,
and Allen proceeded.
When he closed, at 1:30, the Senate
went into executive session, and so
remained until 6 o'clock, when ad-
iournment was had until tomorrow.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON. July 16. - The
House to-day agreed to the partial
conference report on the general deh-
cheney appropriation bill, and con-
curred in the Senate amendment fixing
the limit of cost of armor plate for
three battleships now building at $500
per ton. This was the main point stlll
in dispute between the two houses.
A strong effort was made to induce
the House to agree to a SUBSTITUTE
nroposition fixing the limit at $500, as
recommended by the Secretary of the
Navy. but after a three hours debate,
the House, by vote of AZ to 10, con-
CURED in the Senate amendment
Messrs. Stone Rep) of Pennsylva-
MIA. Dalzen CRep) of Pennsylvania ana
Boutelle (Rep) of Maine supported the
500 proposition, which was opposed by
Nessrs. King Dem-) of Utah, Under
wood Dem) of Alabama, Barlow (Pop-
ulisO of California, Simpson PopulisD
of Kansas, Gaines (Dem) of Tennes-
see. Wheeler Oem) of Alabama,
Savres Dem) of Texas and Cannon
RepD Of Illinois.
cannon then called up the conference
report on the general deficiency bill,
which in the meantime had been agreed
10 by the Senate.
The House concurred in the Senate
amendment appropriating $1,000 for
The removing of distractions in the
Kootenai River, Montana.
Whom the armor-plate amendment
was reached Cannon moved that the
House insist on its disagreement, and
Stone RepO of Pennsylvania moved to
concur with an amendment in the na-
4ure OF a substitute proposition, by the
terms of which the cost of the armor
Mate for the three battleships was in
creased from s.. 100000 to S3,210000,
and the limit of the cost for the armor
from $500 to S4o0.
Bouteue Rep9 of Maine, Chairman
on Naval Affairs Committee of the
House. took the floor in support OF
stones motion He explained at length
the history of the controversy over the
price of armor plates. He pointed out
The refusal of the aTmor-plate campa-
nies 10 bid under the provision of the
last naval appropriation bill, limiting
the cost TO $500 per ton: the proposf-
ton Of the Illinois Steel Company 10
furnish all the armor for twenty years
at $40 per ton, and the recommends
tion Of the Secretary of the Navy for
an authorization for new bids with q
limit of cost of S400 per ton
Didn't one of these companies fur
nisb the Russian Government with ar
NOR al S249 per ton?" asked Barlow OF