People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-09-08

appropriations.
Mr.. Simpson. The gentleman will
remember-it must be fresh in his
memory-that short time ago, under
a contract with Mr.. Carnegie for al NOR
plates for these battle ships, it was
found that many OF the plates furnished
we're defective, and that apparently a
conspiracy had been entered into be-
tween Mr.. Carnegie and some OF his
employees to put aft upon the Govern
ment plates that were full OF blownoles
and other defects, and we all know that
Mr.. Carnegie compromised with the
present Administration by paying back
to the people hundreds of thousands OF
dollars. Does the gentleman remember
thatI
Mr.. Money. Certainly.
Mr.. Simpson. We'll, that is what led
me to make the remark to which the
gentleman has called attention; for it
seems impossible, where these large
appropriations for the contraction Of
war ships are concerned. involving
great quantities and a great variety OF
materials-it seems impossible for the
Government, in such cases, to protect
itself against fraud. That is one ele-
ment that take into consideration in
voting on these appropriations; and it
is our duty to take that into considera-
ton, because these constructions in
volve an enormous expenditure which
ought to be saved to the people if posi-.
bic.
Mr.. Mallory. Will the gentleman
permit another question?
Mr.. Simpson. Certainly.
Mr.. Mallory. | would like to inquire
if the gentleman thinks a Navy at all is
necessary to this country.
Mr.. Simpson. suppose it is, under
present conditions.
Mr.. Mallory. Another question. Has
the gentleman any idea of the number
of vessels that would be required for a
Navy for this country?
Mr.. Simpson. | have not informed
myself sufficiently in connection with
the matter to answer that question.
But the thing | am satisfied about
because | have taken some pains to
inform myself upon it's that we have
reached the limit OF building battle
ships, and that to go any further in that
direction is unnecessary and unwise.
| am satisfied that we ought not at
this time to build any more Of these ex-
pensive and unwieldly vessels.
Mr.. Talbot Of Maryland. Do you
think the English Government is
well sup" as to the class of naval
vessels that ought to be constructed?
Mr.. Simpson. l do not know what
the English Government is we'll up to.
Mr.. Talbot OF Maryland. Do you
know that that Government not long
ago launched one vessel of nearly l5,-
900 tons displacement, and day or two
ago another one Of the same tonnage
the Majestic and the Magnificent
Mr.. Simpson. know that the Eng.
lish Government is like other Govern
ments; that it does the best it can. The
English Government has never yet
had any practical test Of the value of
these battle ships as means of defense.
AS matter Of fact, she has copied after
US. The battle between the Monitor and
the Merrimac set the fashion OF build
ing armor-plated vessels, and since
that time, with very few exceptions,
there has been no practical tests OF
the value of battle ships as a means of
naval defense. The only exception l
remember is in the war between the
Chinese and the japanese.
Great Britain goes on and appropria-
ties enormous sums OF money to build
such naval vessel as other nation build,
in order to compete with them. Eng
land always aims to keep ahead, so
when any other nation builds a big
battle ship she builds two She feels
bound to follow other nations in build
ing ironclad ships so long as it is the &C.
cepted policy to build such ships. But
why should this great Republic, oc.
cupying the position it does, isolated
from all foreign powers, beyond the
danger of any foreign inyasion-why
should this Republic initiate Great
Britain or any other country in this
respect? Great Britain dare not attack
US. She is under bonds to keep peace
with US.
Every interest of Great Britain puts
her under bonds to keep the peace with
US. Why, sir, if Great Britain should
throw her shells into any of our great
cities-Boston, New York or Philadel'
phia-she would in all human probable.
ity destroy more property belonging to
British subjects tt an to American sub.
jects. Laughter and cries of "Oh,
nop'l Mr.. Chairman, if we can 60 on
in the line we are now following it will
be only little while when Great Brit
ain will own all the property here.