Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-07
SENATE ON SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
Army Reorganization Bill in the
House.
CAPITOL CROWDS SMALLER

the floor was smaller than II mad been Tor
several days.
MIR. Allison Gcwa) moved that when the
Senate adjourn today it be to meet on
Monday next. and the motion was agreed
Nobilc HarbOr improvements.
Consideration of the sundry civil bill was
then resumed. the question pending being
upon an amendment offered by Mr. Pettus
tAla-D to appropriate S2OOOOO for the i'm
prov"ment of the Mobile harbor in order
that warships might reach the wharves to
coal and to receive other supplies. 1t had
been pressed by the Alabama senator as
an emergency war measure.
Mr. Pettus, in support of his amendment,
said il had received the approval of the
Secretary of War. He pointed out that if
any difficulty to be had with a for
eign nation at this time or in the imme-
diate future the scene of the trouble would
De probably in southern waters. He re-
garded it as very important that the APP
preparation be- made. in order that our
ships of war should have proper facilities
at that port.
Mr. Allison. in charge of the BILL made a
point of order against the amendment al
though he expressed his entire sympathy
with all proper measures for the national
defense He said the rule to exclude this
amendment was entirely proper. He had
beer given to understand he said that il
TINS amendment were adopted other similar
amendments. all based upon the idea of
national defense. would be offered. This
would open up the entire field Of river and
harbor improvements
10 this appropriation the appropriations
committee was unanimously opposed AL
though every member of the committee
would go to any length in support of the
national defense
Mr.. NorEnn's Warming
Mt Morgan made sharp attack upon
the appropriations committee charging
sfat the committee exercised too great
power Ii had usurped power that did not
legally belong to it. Il want to say 10 the
chairman Of the committee (Mr AiIison)
Tor whom have always had the greatest
respect. and whose conduct of the affairs
vi the committee have admired for many
years want to say that he would better
look Out, OF the Senate will dissolve that
committee and distribute it's business
among the various committees of the Sem
ate, and l will be one to help do it."
AS Tor the threat implied by the sena-
Tor from Alabama" interiected Mr. ALI
scn, hotly. If 1 know myself I do not
crave the work that is now imposed upon
me by the Senate. If the Senate wants TO
dissolve the committee, it may do so with
out delay
MT Morgan, reSrE1ing the discussion
sdld that already We hear of u great coal
c"mbine that is to control the price of coal
10 De supplied TO the government at south
ern ports He hoped the report was not
true, bur he realized. he said the oppor-
'uhity Tor such reasonable spoliation Of
the government. He pointed out some of
the advantages of opening the coal fields
OF the south by the improvement suggested
In the pending amendment
The government would .hus he enabled
10 obtain its coal in any quantities at rea-
sonable rates near tine thaater of action in
case of hostiIities.
Willing to Declare War;
do not know, Mr.. President, whether
War Is coming not he said Il have
never myself Gcne anything that might in
voiVe this country in war; but it seems to
me that the sworn testimony now before
the Senate is sufficiently strong to compel
US to strike in defense of the honor and
dignity of the country and in memorv of
our dead seamen shrouded in the rnud of
Havana harbor- / am willing to vote FOR
declaration that may involve US in hes
Utilities because l beliaye we have a inst
csuse."
Mr. Morgan was of opinion that If a
railroad company had brought the amend
nent to the Senate it would have passed
without murmur OF dissent from the
committee. and he did not think that in
the present circumstances there should be
me slightest hesitation to pass it, because
although il had not received the sanction
OF any committee, II had received the an
proVed of the Secretary of War Il am
Wiling, said he, TO do anything that will
sdeeor the United States navy and strike
Town the monopoly that seeks to prev up-
on the government
Mr. Hawley Comm inquired what, If any
arrangements had been made for the plant
ing of big guns at the entrance of Mobile
harbor to defend it In case an attack
SHOULD BE- made upon it,
Mr. Morgan replied that as the Secretary
OF War had recommended the proposed i'm
proSement. he doubtless had In mind A
provision Tor the defense of the harbor in
the event of need.
MI Allison had telegram read from
Secretary Alger saying that. while ne was
willing that the Improvement should be
made 10 be expended within the discretion
Of the Secretary of War, that he thou. hi
the outer bar should be left for the present
20 as to prevent the too ready ingress of
foreign hostile ships.
1t is better not" the Sccretary's dis
catch read. TO open any deep harbors that
"ouid admit warships 1t would make
simply one more place TO guard"
ON this telegram the chairman overruled
Mr. Allison's point OF order and submitted
ne question TO the Senate whether the
amendment should be considered.
The PrOpOsitinn Refec,ad
An aye and nay vote was taken on this
proposition and resulted in the negative.
Xxi The vote had the effect of ruliny
he amendment out of order
An amendment proposed by Mr. Carter
tMont). providing that IT should not be
necessary for disbursing officers and heads
OF departments to submit TO the auditor
cfnclal kilograms. and that a certificate Of
the telegraph companies from the proper
officers should be accepted by the auditor.
was adopted.
Mr. Carter explained that in time of