The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-05-13
LITTLE LEGISLATION IN HOUSE.
Provision Made For LINE of Coast defence
Vessels.

Washington. May 12,-The House today
effected little legislation. An Important
measure providing for the organization OF
Especial line OF. coast defense vessels anu
the enlistment of men adequate 10 man
them, was passed.
The Senate bill to establish volunteer
signal corps was passed wltno''0 ainono-
ment These two emergency war meas
ures were the features of the session.
Washington, May ls.-The House to-day
voted to insist upon its non-ooncurrence
IN the Senate amendment to the Dill pro-
vldlng for feeding and arming the CuDan
people, and the Speaker named as con-
ferees Messrs. Marsh Of Illinois, Grimm
OF Wisconsin and Cox of Tennessee.
MIR. Marsh of Illinois asked consloera-
ton of the Senate bill for the organiza-
tion OF a special volunteer signal corps
and 1T was passed. Mr. Boutelle OF
| Maine, chairman of the committee on
naval affairs, asked Immediate considera-
tion of joint resolution providing for
the organization of volunteer auxiliary
naval force TOR coast defense, involving
the enlistment for one year of volunteers
and employment of additional vessels.
| The House went into committee OF the
whole to consider the M easu1e. In ex-
planning the resolution, Mr.. Boutelle
read letter from Secretary Long repre-
senting the necessity for the measure as
urgent The number to be enlisted was
not limited. The purpose of the depart
ment was to form the feet into an inner
line of defense for the coast extending
from Maine to Texas and the total defen-
slve force OF the coast would be, first the
regular fleet; second, the fleet of auxili-
airy cruisers, and third, the volunteer
naval force contemplated by the pending
resolution. An appropriation of "a, 600, 600
was proposed to be placed at the disposal
OF the secretary of the navy for the pur-
chase and hire of vessels essential to car
ryl ing out this resolution.
IN reply to question, Mr.. Boutelle
said naval militia organizations that
would enlist would retain in all possible
cases their individuality of organization.
MT. Cox Of Tennessee questioning Mr..
boutelle, referred TO the bill as one appro-
priattng money upon mere posi- bility.
he rldlculed the idea OF the Spanish
fleet coming to the American coast and
thought Congress should at least have
probabilities as basis for making appro-
prfations carrying millions Of dollars.
There was lively little tilt between Mr..
Boutelle and Mr.. Ridgely of Kansas pre-
e1pitated by a statement OF the latter re.
garding the sale of vessel which Mr..
Ridgely alleged cost the government far
more than an option private purchaser
claimed to have had.
Mir. Boutelle demanded the name Of the
authority and the vessel his information
was on. Mr.. Boutelle vehemently protest
ed that libel should not be allowed to
stand for that length of time.
The bill was amended at the suggestion
of Mr.. McMillin Of Tennessee, SO as to
limit the existence of the force provided
for by the bill to the continuance of the
present war and with this amendment
the resolution was passed. Nearly two
hours were consumed in an Intellectual
effort to secure consideration of the House
bill to organize a hospital corps Of the
navy.
The House adjourned at 4.18 O'Clock.