The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-08
MOBILE WANTS MORE WATER.
Effort to Secure Immediate Work in
the Harbor Defeated.


the HarbOr Defeated.
Washington, April 7.-Some sharp war
talk was INDUCED in by The Senate to-
day. When consideration of the sundry
civil appropriation bill was resumed, the
question pending was the amendment of
such improvement of the harbor at Mobile
as would enable war vessels to obtain
coal and other supplies there.
Mr.. Allison of Iowa, in charge of the
bill made a point of order against the
amendment
This called out a bitter speech by Mr.
Morgan of Alabama, who charged the ap-
preparations committee with discriminat-
ing against proper measures and threat
ened to assist in dissolving the committee.
'As for the threat implied by the sena-
tor from Alabama" interjected Mr. ALI
son holly, IF 1 know myself, l do not
crave the work that is now imposed upon
me by the Senate If the Senate wants
to dissolve the committee IL may do so
without delay"
Mr.. Morgan, resuming the discussion,
said that already we heard of a great
coal combine that is to control the price
of coal to be supplied to the government
at Southern ports. He hoped the report
was not true, but he realized, he said,
the opportunity for such reasonable
spoliation of the government. He pointed
out some of the advantages of opening
the coal fields of the South by the i'm
provement suggested in the pending
amendment The government would thus
be enabled to obtain its coal in any guam
THY at reasonable rates near the theater
of action in case of hostilties.
81 do not know. Mr. President. whether
war is coming or not" said he. 81 have
never myself done anything that might in
volve this country in war, but it seems to
me that the sworn testimony now before
the Senate Is sufficiently strong to com
pei us to strike in defense of the honor
and dignity of the country and in mem
DRY of our dead seamen shrouded in the
mud of Havana harbor. l am willing to
vote for declaration that may involve us
in hostilities, because 1 believe that We
have just cause"
Mr.. Morgan was of the opinion that if
railroad company had brought the
amendment into the Senate il would have
passed without a murmur of dissent from
the committee, and he did not think that,
in the present circumstances, there should
be the slightest hesitation to pass it, be
cause, although it had not received the
approval Of any committee, it had received
the sanction of the Secretary of War.
Il am willing" said he, ito do anything
that will succor the United States navy
and strike down the monopoly that seeks
to prey upon the government
Mr.. Allison had a telegram read from
| Secretary Alger saying that, while he vas
| willing that the improvement should be
made, the money TO be expended within
the discretion of the Secretary of War, he
| thought the outer bar should be left for
| the present, so as to prevent the too easy
| ingress of the foreign hostile ships. 1T is
better not" the Secretary's dispatch read,
TO open any deep harbors that would I'd
nit warships 1t would make simply one
| more place TO guard"
On this telegram the chair oVerruled Mr..
Allison's point of order, and submitted the
question to the Senate whether the amend
ment should be considered.
An ave and no vote was taken on this
| proposition, and resulted in the negative,
| 1888.
The vote had the effect OF ruling tie
amendment out of order
AT ? o'clock the bill was laid aside and
Mr. Walthall of Mississippi presented res
olutions on the death of his late colleague,
Senator James u. George. Those who paid
tributes to the memory Of Senator George
were Messrs. Walthall of Mississippi,
Proctor of Vermont, Turpe of Indiana,
Bate of Tennessee, Teller of Colorado,
Gray of Delaware Plat of Connecticut
and Money of Mississippi.
AT 4 O'Clock, as a further mark Of re-
spect, the Senate adjourned until Monday.