The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-09-09


SHE Republican press OF the state
We has been amusing itself, for the
past ninety day over little card
gotten out, and which claimed to con-
tain an extract from speech made by
Congressman Simpson.
Every postoffice sheet in the district
took the matter up, und there has been
a continual howl going up that Jerry is
against the navy, etc. The Congress
sional Record of February Is, 1895 con-
tains speech made before the House
committee of the whole which had und-
err discussion the Naval appropriation,
in which Mr.. Simpson gives his views
on the Navy, and is here reproduced
word for word:
Mr.. Simpson. Mr.. Chairman, ] wish
to occupy the attention of the commit
tee for short time in relation to this
bill. | shall direct my remarks more
particularly to the provision making
appropriation for the Increase of the
Navy"
That for the purpose of further increasing
the naval establishment of the United States
the President is hereby authorized to have
constructed by contract three seagoing coast
line battle ships designed to carry the heavi-
est armor and most powerful ordnance upon
a displacement of about 5000 tons to have
the higheet practicable speed for vessels of
their class, and to cost, exclusive of armament,
not exceeding 81, 900 900 each; and nine tor
pedo boats of from 100 to 800 tons each, at
the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy, at
a cost not to exceed an average of 100000.
Now, wish to direct the attention
of the committee to the increased cost
that this bill necessarily involves.
These three battle ships will cost the
country when completed, with their
armor, SCI, ZOO.
Mr.. Talbert of South Carolina. Is
this an entirely new contract discon-
nected with any other contract?
Mr.. Simpson. Yes; it is a provision
ships.
Mr.. Loud. l should like to know the
~basis of the gentleman's estimates of
1000, 900 and more for each of these
war vessels.
Mr.. Simpson. | will come to that
later.
The nine torpedo boats will cost ST.
$50, 600; and the. three additional tor
pedo boats, mentioned further on in
this same paragraph, will cost $50, 1000.
So that we have carried in this bill
total increased expenditure, in addition
to the regular appropriation bill, of
S23, $4,000.
Mr. Talbot of Maryland. Will the
gentleman let us have the items of that
compu, alton if he can.
Mr. Simpson. The items are, first
the three battle ships, costing four
millions apiece
Mr.. Loud. Not exceeding $4,000, 900.
Mr.. Simpson. Well, the expenditure
on matters of this kind always run up
to the limit.
Mr.. Loud. The gentleman, if he
knows anything about the Navy, knows
that none of these vessels have cost
over S., 100000.
Mr.. Simpson. l say that these three
war vessels, including the armor, will
involve an increased expenditure of
s21, 100000.
Mr.. Talbot of Maryland. The arm
or is included in the cost of construc-
ton.
Mr.. Simpson. No; it is not.
Mr.. Sayers. If the gentleman from
Kansas will yield moment l will have
read at the desk letter of the Secre-
tary of the Navy, which, 1 think, sus-
tains the statement the gentleman has
just made.
Mr.. Simpson. gladly yield for that
purpose.
The Clerk read as follows:
NAVY DKPARrM RNr, Washington Feb. 8, '95.
SIR: In reply to your telephone messages
of January 90 and 80, requesting information
in regard to the appropriation Increase of
the Navy" have the honor to reply as fol-
lows:
1. Estimated cost of the armament of the
three new battle ships referred to in the
naval appropriation bill now pending in the
House of Representatives is $7,215, 900.
2. OF the IS ,2S7, $40 appropriated under
the head of "Armor and armament in said
bill, there will be used upon the new vessels
authorized in said bill, the sum of $50 900.
8. The amount of the appropriation I'm
crease of the Navy, ,armor and armament,
that will be absolutely necessary to meet the
expenditures which will be incurred up to
July 1, 1896. upon vessels already authorized
T. OF the ss.s4a.422 appropriated in the