The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-27
NAVAL BILL DEBATED.
House Not Unanimous For
Unlimited Expenditure.
CANNON CALLS A HALT
All Anti-SpaniSh Sentiments
Justify Cheered,

Washington, March 2G.-During the de-
bate on the naval appropriation bill in
the house today every utterance in favor
of aggressive action against Spain was
applauded TO the echo by the crowded
galleries. A strong effort was made to
increase the appropriation for the naval
reserves, but it failed. Another effort 10
have the government uniform the naval
militia also failed. The main contest Of
the day was over a proposition to de-
crease the number Of timber dry docks
authorized by the bill from four to three.
Il led Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the ap-
propriations committee, who made the
motion, to discuss the whole question of
war preparations, and to inveigh
against undue extravaganza. He was
voted down, 78-107. No point Of order was
made against the proposed timber docks,
but Mr.. Cannon gave notice that he
would raise a point against the proposed
steel docks at Algiers, La, on the ground
that a dock necessarily involved in the
future theestablishment of a naval yard.
There was some further discussion Of the
relative merits OF large battleships and
smaller war craft, in which the temper
of the house seemed almost equally di-
vided, but the paragraphs relating to the
ships had not been reached when the
house adjourned.
ropooetaoin betAonhslrdunnshrdlu
A special notice had been sent to all
the Republican members of the house to
be in their seats at noon today The
leaders had decided TO bring in a special
rule to bring the naval bill to a vote if
The flibustering of yesterday vas to be
resumed, but as the Democrats gave as
surances that the obstructive tactics of
yesterday would not be continued the
plan Of bringing in rule was abandoned.
Mr.. PEARSON'S TROUBLES.
Before the journal was approved Mr..
Bailey Dem, Texas called attention to
what he thought was an abuse of privi-
lege to print a personal explanation Civ
en- to Mr.. Pearson CRep-, y. c..
Mr.. Pearson had, he said, been accused
of abusing the franking privilege of the
house and under leave TO print had made
matter frankable which he had been &C
hnot shrdIueta NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Mr.. Pearson maintained that he had
not abused the privilege granted him.
He called attention to the fact that some
Of the matter printed was from a paper
in which w. J. Bryan was interested.
''Do you object to what William Jen-
nings Bryan says?" he asked. smiling.
81 am inclined to indorse anything Mr.
Bryan says at this time Democratic ap-
plause).
Mr.. Bailey then moved to strike the
publication to which he objected from
the Record.
Mr.. Henry Dem, Del) denounced Mr..
Pearsons action as a fragrant violation
Of the privilege Of the house.
Mr.. Bailey said he would not have
pressed this matter, except to emphasize
the rigid manner in which the majority
in times past had held Democrats to
words literally spoken in debate.
Mr.. Pearson then took the floor and
made his explanation It involved, he
said, questions of propriety and deli
cacy."
In conclusion. Mr.. Pearson said that he
would rather sit in the house with
Democratic gentleman than with a Pop
ulist traitor. At his request Mr.. Bailey
then withdrew his motion and by unani-
nous consent the article TO which objec-
ton was mare was stricken from the
record.
NAVAL BILL RESUMED.
The consideration Of the naval bill was
then resumed under the five-minute rule
Mr.. Elliott CDem.. s. O. moved an
amendment to provide the naval militia
with clothing. He pointed out that the
national guard were provided with uni
forms. II war came the naval militia
would be called upon before the national
guard. In fact. the naval militia of three
states had already been called out. The
navy department endorsed this PROPOSE
ton.
Nj BouteHe pointed out that the gov
eminent had never been called upon TO
supply clothing TO the naval militia and
he did not believe the scOne Of the gov