The herald., 1898-02-06
Appropriated to Improve
Coast Defenses
THE ESTIMATES CUT IN HALF
IN INTERESTS OF NATIONAL
ECONOMY
As Always During the Present Session
the Debate Drifts Into Politics
and Financial Matters
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The hous
today, during it's entire session, had un
der consideration the bill making appro
priations for Notifications and coast de
fenses. Little interest seemed to b.
manifested in the proceedings, less thai
one-half of the members being presen
during the session. The bill was passed
carrying s4,144,712, against 9,517. .141 las
year.
At the opening of the session Mr.
Royce (Rep.) of Indiana, Chairman OF
the Committee on Elections No. l, pre-
sented a resolution declaring that in tbs
contest between Samuel Hudson and
William McAleer of Pennsylvania for 4
seat in the House, Mr.. McAleer is en-
titled to the seat.
Without division, the resolution and
report of the committee was adopted.
A bill granting to the Gulf. Colorado
and Santa Fe Railroad Company the
right to construct branch of its road in
the Indian Territory was passed
A bill authorizing the Muskogee Coal
and Railway Company to construct and
operate railroad through the Indian
Territory and Oklahoma Territory was
passed.
The House then went into Committee
of the whole and resumed consideration
. of the Fortifications Appropriation Bill
Lewis, Democrat, of Washington, took
occasion to discuss the financial ques-
tion, and it was, he said, the purpose Of
ol,, 81, n ire the
backs. He also criticized the leaders of
the house for not allowing more time to
discuss the Teller resolution.
Mcclellan, Democrat, of New York, in
a speech declaring that the bill carried
no adequate appropriation for the de-
fense of New York harbor, said the trou-
BILE was that too much money was ex-
pended for the Improvement of our har-
bors which would make them accessible
to a hostile fleet.
at would be much better, said he
first to protect the harbors and then,
after they are protected, to improve
them"
In response, Sayers, Democrat, of
Texas, a member of the appropriation
committee, expressed the opinion that
there was not the slightest prospect of
war with any foreign nation. "Econo-
N.Y." said he ought to be the watch
word on both sides of this chamber, and
no appropriations for any project ought
to be made unless absolutely necessary"
After discussing the work of the ap-
preparation committee in consideration
of the various appropriation bills Sayers
said: "Our revenues are large enough.
1t ought to be our effort to reduce the
expenses of the government in order that
they may conform to the receipts"
In conclusion Sayers said: I'VE ought
to unite to make this congress one of the
most economical since the civil war"
BY the introduction of an amendment
to reduce the maximum price of OIL
tempered and annealed steel from %
cents to % cents per pound, McRae of
Arkansas secured the floor and made a
sharp attack upon the administration.
He said he had no fear of war. because
he was satisfied the present administra-
ton would accept any insult from a
foreign nation that might be offered,
bound hand and foot as it was by trusts
and monopolies. The great mass of the
people, however, would protect the
honor Of the country. Instead of prepar-
ing war, to protect the country from the
inroads of a foreign nation, McRae
thought congress ought to protect the
country from a further issue Of bonds,
which seemed likely, in view of the pres
ent condition of the revenues, before the
end of the year.
Foote, Republican, of New York, and
Mahon, Republican, of Pennsylvania,
opposed the amendment, explaining that
its adoption would result precisely as
had the effort of congress to reduce the
price of armor plate, and that it was
likely to cause one years delay in the
manufacture of guns. The amendment
was defeated-56 to "a.
Lewis, Democrat, of Washington, OBJ
tanned the floor to conclude the remarks
he had begun earlier in the day. He
maintained that the treasury had now
only $124 900 900 with which to pay two
billion dollar debt-a debt that was con-
stantly increasing.
He held that the government was now
paying 200-cent dollar in liquidation of
its tions-obligations that when
contracted We're worth only 80 cents on
the present dollar.
After another fruitless effort on the
part Of Mcclellan to amand the bill, the
reading of the measure was concluded,
reported by the committee of the whole
to the house and passed.
AT $40 p. m. the house adjourned until
Monday.