Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-09-08
ag,wHE Republican press Of the state
GO has been amusing Itself, for the


yO has been amusing Itself, for the
~l0 past ninety days, oyera little card
gotten out, and which claimed TO con-
tain an extract from a speech made BY
Congressman Simpson,
Every postofIlce sheet ia the district
took the matter up, und there has been
continual howl going up that Jerry 10
against the navy, ETC. The Congress
aIoual Record OF February Is, 1895 con-
tains a speech made before the House
committee Of the whole which had und-
or discussion the Naval appropriation,
In which Mr.. Simpson gives his views
on tho Navy, and is here reproduced
word for word;
Mr.. Simpson. Mr. Chairman, ! wish
10 occupy the attention OF the commit
tee for u short time In relation TO this
bill. shah direct my remarks more
particularly 10 the provision making
appropriation for the increase Of the
Navy"
the naval establishment ofthe United States
the President ~ hereby authorized TO have
constructed by contract three aeagoing eoaat-
line battle ships designed TO carry the heavi'
a displacement OF about 10000 tons to have
the hlghect practicable speed for vessels OF
tlielr clasa and to cost, exclusive OF armament,
not exceeding ~ 000, 900 each ans misc tor,
pedo boats offrom 100 TO 800 tone eneh, ~
the discretion of the Secretary of che Navy az
cost not to exceed an average ofSi7o, 900.
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, $2l, l26,00O.
Mr., Talbert OF South Carolina. Is
this an entirely new contract discon-
nectod with any other contractY
Mr.. Simpson. Yes; 1t Is provision
for the construction OF three new battle
ships.
Mr.. Loud. should like to know the
basis OF the gentleman's estimates OF
$7,000,000 and more for each OF these
war vessels.
Mr.. Simpson. will come TO that
later.
The nine torpedo boats will cost 81
$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 a
total Increased expenditure, in addition
to the regular appropriation bill, OF
1923, 10000.
Mr.. Talbot OF Maryland. Will the
gentleman let us have the items OF that
computation II he can.
Mr.. Simpson. The items are, first
the three battle ships, costing four
millions apiece
Mr.. Loud. Not exceeding &,O0O,OOO.
Mr.. Simpson. Well, the expenditure
on matters Of this kind always run up
to the limit
Mr.. Loud. The gentleman, II he
knows anything about the Navy, knows
that none Of these vessels have cost
over SS,0O0,OO0.
Mr.. Simpson. ! say that these three
war vessels, including the armor, will
involve an increased expenditure OF
S2l, 100000
Mr.. Talbot OF Maryland. The arm
or is included In the cost OF construc-
ton.
Mr.. Simpson. No; it Is not
Mr.. Sayers. II the gentleman from
Kansas will yield moment will have
read at the desk letter Of the SeCre-
tary Of the Navy, which, ! think, sus-
tains the statement the gentleman has
juet made.
Mr.. Simpson. I gladly yield for that
purpose.
The Clerk read as follows:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington Feb. 8, '95.
SIR In reply to your telephone messages
ofJauuary 30 and 80, requesting Information
In regard to the appropriation increase OF
the Navy" have the honor to reply as fol-
4. Estimated cost Of the armament Of the
three new battle ships referred to In the
naval appropriation bill now pending In the
House Of Representatives 10 S7,215,0 900.
the head Of "Armor and armament In said
bill, there will be used upon the new vessels
authorized in said bill, the sum of csc, 900,
8. The amount of the appropriation I'm
crease Of the Navy, artnor and armament, :
that will be absolutely necessary to meet the
expenditures which will be incurred up to
July 1, 1895, upon vessels already authorized
In Sb,237, $40. pNN
4, OF the 1892, 422 appropriated In the