People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-09-08
~HE Republican press OF the state
We has been amusing itself, for the

past ninety days, overa little card
gotten out, and which claimed to con-
tain an extract from a speech made by
Congressman Simpson.
Every postoffice sheet in the district
took the matter up, und there has been
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-
er 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
displacement of about 10000 tons to have
40 cnPa0 vessels
their class, and to cost, exclusive of armament,
not exceeding $4,000, 900 each and nine tor
pedo boats of from 100 to 300 tons each, at
the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy, at
cost not to exceed an average Of $4,000.
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, $21, l26,OOO.
Mr.. Talbert of South Carolina Is
this an entirely new contract discon-
nected with any other contract?
Mr.. Simpson. Yes; it is provision
for the construction Of three new battle
ships.
Mr.. Loud. | should like to know the
basis OF the gentleman's estimates OF
$1,000, 900 and more for each of these
war vessels.
Mr.. Simpson. | will come to that
later.
The nine torpedo boats will cost ST.
$4,000; and the three additional tor
pedo boats, mentioned further on in
this same paragraph, will cost $4,000
So that we have carried in this bill &
total increased expenditure, in addition
to the regular appropriation bill, o.
s23, $4,000.
Mr.. Talbot Of Maryland. Will the
gentleman let US have the items of thai
computation If he can.
Mr.. Simpson. The items are, frs
the three battle ships, costing foul
millions apiece
Mr.. Loud. Not exceeding $4,000, 900
Mr.. Simpson. Well, the expenditure
on matters of this kind always run W
to the limit.
Mr.. Loud. The gentleman, if ht
knows anything about the Navy, know
that none of these vessels have cos
over 100000.
Mr.. Simpson. say that these tire,
war vessels, including the armor, vii
involve an increased expenditure o
S2l, 100000.
Mr.. Talbot of Maryland. The arm
or is included in the cost of construc
ton.
Mr.. Simpson. No; it is not
Mr.. Savers. II the gentleman iron
Kansas will yield a moment will hav,
read at the desk letter Of the Score
tary Of the Navy, which, | think, sus
tains the statement the gentleman ha
Just made. .-
Mr.. Simpson. gladly yield for tina
purpose.
The Clerk read as follows:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington Feb. s, '95.
SIR: In reply to your telephone message
ofJauuary 20 and 80, requesting information
in regard to the appropriation Increase c
the Navy" have the honor to reply as fo
lows:
1. Estimated cost of the armament of tn
three new battle ships referred to in tn
naval appropriation bill now pending in th
House Of Representatives is s7,215 900.
2. OF the s5,2S7,670 appropriated unde
the head of "Armor and armament in sal
bill, there will be used upon the new vessel
authorized In said bill, the sum Of $50, 900.
g. The amount Of the appropriation ''Ir
crease Of the Navy, arnor and armament,
that will be absolutely necessary to meet til
expenditures which will be incurred mp t
July1, 1896, upon vessels already authorize
is $5,237,670. ~
4. of the ss.342,422 appropriated in tn
naval appropriation bill now pending in tn
House of Representatives under the head {
Construction and machinery" the sum {
s46S, 200 will be used for the new vessel
aufhny,zed In ID hi11.a that the su,, r