The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-25
DEBATE ON TIE NAVAL BILL
All 81 the Speakers Favor the Meas
ure. but Use tho Opportunity
20 Denounee spain.

NASktiNGIQN, 9za-EA -f--&siS game
les OF the house were crowded today In
aDssspatson OF some exciting speeches
On the Spanish crisis during the conssd-
era;ion OF the naval appropriation n4lI
The leaders had arranged prograrnrns
By which the general debate on the bin
should be contined 20 four hours. two
hours on each side. As soon as the jour-
chairman of the naval committee, the
house went into committee of the whole,
sherman OF New York In the chair. for
the consideration OF the bill
Boutelle stated that IL was exceedingly
impor taat that the bill should be passed
as speedily as possible. 1t was the most
complete measure fer strengthening the
naval establishment ever reported 10 the
house. The reasons were too obvious 10
require mentioning. The committee over
which he presided had been impressed
with an earnest desire 10 meet COM
p,etely the expectations OF the house and
the country in providing this great arm
OF the nava. defense with all reasonable
requirements TO meet any exigency that
might arise. Boutelle took occasion to
resent some of the criticism which had
been made against the committee. The
committee. he said. had periodically and
earnestly labored to meet all the extra
ordinary demands, and as a result OF in
finite pains had reported the bin. With
this preface, Bo1telle entered upon the
detailed explanation of the bill and the
extraordinary provisions 1t carried In
the course of his remarks he replied to
what he termed an extraordinary SLAM
der" upon himself, which appeared in
New York paper yesterday, charging him
with responsibility for the lack of engi-
neer officers in the service.
AT the conclusion OF Mr.. Bouteiie's re-
marks he attempted to arrange time for
closing the general debate. He suggested 5
o'clock tonight, but there was chorus cf
protests. whereupon he moved that the
committee rise for the purpose Of fixing
the time at which the debate should
close. The motion was holly contested.
but it prevailed by a narrow .nargin.
Several Republicans voted with the
Democrats. Speaker Reed himself march
ed through the teliers. When the COM
mittee rose Mr.. Boutelie moved that the
general debate close at o'clock.
Richardson Of Tennessee moved TO
amend the motion by making the hour
o'clock tomorrow. but the chair declined
10 recognize the motion. acceo ti Is the
statement of Mr.. Boutelle that he intend
.k--
defeated, 81 to 81.
Thereupon BouteIle demanded the ayes
and nays for the purpose OF putting en-
record the Republicans who refused 10
vote TO sustain his motion. Before rCl-
call was concluded a compromise was
reached, by which 1t was agreed that The
general debate should close al O'Clock to-
morrow. the session Of the house 20 lie
extended to o'clock tonight. This agree-
ment was ratified and then the debate
proceeded.
Myer OF Louisiana, one OF the members
of the naval committee then took the floor.
Mr.. Myer. after referring to the extraordi-
nary circumstances under which the laval
BIZ came up for consideration ar this time,
said tnat the theater of war, If such must
come. would not be on the land. but en-
the sea. Our army required no addition
TO place us in position of defense. II
is large enough for peace purposes and
can easily and quickly be expanded In
event OF war.
''But." he said. ''you can't improvise
a navy, even with fifty or one hundred
millions OF dollars placed at the discretion
of the president You may have an ample
supply Of officers. yet even these require
experience in the handling Of ships and in
habits OF command Nor can YOU make
sailor as quickly as you can make a
soldier. SIN less can You improyise 4
man-of-Hay's crew. with thorough knowl-
edge Of all discipline and training to make
them effective in sea battle. A battle
ship or armored cruiser Is not butt in a
day. any more than Rene nos even III
the Old days OF wooden ships could q
war fleet b .mproy.sed Or built expsdl-
;iousiy. II is obvious that to wait for s.
war. and 10 await naval preparations Untu
war actually arrives, in she hope shat a
Disparity In naval force car be speedily
corrected. il an idea unworthy Of Tatisuai
and patriotic men. IL is the very A-rne o.
hnnaa folly.
50 much has been said in the press and
or the stump aboa. the new nayy tbas The
public hal everest. mated It's nghl.ng ca
psci'y. True. I ulay assert that the ships
W. have are OF tbe hess and Our personnel
active keen and raa;st 20 the highest .~,-