The record-union., 1898-04-02

and Torpedo Boat DestroyerS-
a Motion 60 Reduce the Number
of New Battlcships to One Over
whelmiagly Defeated-Thc Sem
ate Spends Most of the Day in
Secret Session.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-After an
exceedingly turbulent session of six
hours, the House to-day passed the
naval appropriation bill, and then ad-
joUrned until Monday. The war spirit
was manifested in all the speeches, and
overrode the Naval Committee itself by
increasing the number of torpedo boats
and torpedo-bca destroyers to TWEEN
ty-four, the bill as reported providing
for but twelve. The amendment Of
Cannon, Chairman of the Appropria-
tion Committee, to reduce the number
of battleships to one, was buried under
an overwhelming majority. The pro-
vision relating to armor plate, which
in ordinary times would have precipi-
tated a debate of several days, was
disposed of in ten minutes, PROPOSE
ton to decrease the price agreed to in
the bill from $l00 TO $500 per ton be-
ing drowned in a perfect chorus Of
nays.
Cannon, during the course of the day,
announced the belief of a majority of
the members that war would be upon
US within a week, and De Almond of
Missouri made a notable speech de-
ciaring that if hostilities were near it
To triI ha
Long before the House convened
every inch Of available space in the
galleries was taken, and hundreds be-
sieged the doors, unable to gain ad-
mittance.
Boutelle, Chairman of the Naval
Committee desired to go ahead with
the naval BILL despite the fact that un-
der the rules this was private bill
day. He explained briefly the urgent
necessity of getting the bill through at
once.
A very significant incident occurred
while an attempt was being made TO eff
feet an arrangement to postpone pri-
vate bill day until Tuesday. The Speak
er himself seemed to hesitate about
asking the consent of the House, where
upon Bromwel CR) of Ohio asked if
Tuesday was set apart for private bills
and whether it would interfere with
report from the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee.
1T certainly would" replied the
Speaker promptly.
Then 1 object" shouted Bromwell.
Subsequently he withdrew his objec-
ton. with the understanding that Tues
day shall be private bill day, provided
the Foreign Affairs Committee had no
report to make to the House.
The naval bin was then taken up.
King CD of Utah made a point of
order against the provision for new
battleships and torpedo boats. 1t was
overruIed by the Chair.
Cannon, Chairman of the Appropria-
ton Committee, offered a substitute for
the paragraph in the bill providing for
three battleships, six torpedo boats and
six torpedo boat destroyers. The sub
stitute provided for one battleship to
cost s.. 100000, exclusive of armament,
twelve torpedo-boat destroyers and
twelve torpedo boats. to cost not ex-
ceeding $4.G00,000
Cummings (D) of New York declared
that the value of the battleship had
been demonstrated at the battle of the
Yalu, and the subsequent action of
Japan and China in ordering battle
ships, not to speak of the fact that Ger
many, France, England and Russia
were building immense ships of the
heavy fighting type, was conclusive of
their value.
Pearce (R) of Missouri offered an
amendment to increase the number of
torpedo boats and torpedo boat de-
stroyers authorized by the bill to twelve
each, and to increase the appropriation
from $2,300,000 to S4,G03OG0- He
quoted a high naval officer as stating
that these torpedo craft were abso-
lutely necessary to the protection of
the battleships of the navy 1t was
little short of criminal, he contended,
to subject fleets to dangers from a
torpedo boat.
Boutelle said the committee was per-
fectly willing to accept the Pearce
amendment, but he pointed out that
under the emergency appropriation the
Administration was buying and build
ing torpedo and other boats of the
mosquito fleet for the protection of our
fighting ships.
The Pearce amendment was adopted
-137 to 90.
Foote (R) of New York offered an
amendment to add two arnored cruis-
ers, to cost, exclusive of armament, not
to exceed $5,0000o0, to the provision
for new ships.
While he was advocating the amend
ment he became involved in a wordy
war with Chairman Cannon of the APP
preparations Committee, during the
course Of which strong language was
used.
1t was lost
Steele (R) Of Indiana moved to de-
crease the number of battleships from
three to two.
De Armond of Missouri at this june
ture got the floor with a speech that
attracted much attention. He called
upon the Administration to take the
aggressive The Maine. he said. had
been blown up in a harbor supposed
to be friendly. There was great danger