The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-02
Twenty-FOur Torpedo Boats and TOr-
pedO-BOat DestrOyers Provided
For Instead OF Twelve.
SECRET SESSION OF SENATE
PURCHASE OF DANISH WEST INDIA
ISLANDS DISCUSSED,
And the Proposition Abandoned on
Account of the Vigorous Oppose
ton 1t Developed.

WASHINGTON, April 1.--After an ex-
ceeding turbulent session of six hours the
House to-day passed the naval appropria-
ton bill and then adjourned until Monday.
The war spirit was manifested in all the
speeches and oVerrode the naval commit
tee itself by increasing the number of tor
pedo boats and torpedo boat destroyers to
twenty-four, the bill as reported provid-
ing for but twelve. The amendment of Mr..
Cannon, chairman of the appropriations
committee to reduce the number of battle
ships to one was buried under over
whelming majority. The provision relating
to armor plate, which in ordinary times
would have precipitated debate of several
days, was disposed of in ten minutes, a
proposition to decrease the price agreed
to in the bill from $500 to $500 per ton being
drowned in a perfect chorus of noes. Mr..
Cannon during the course of the day an
nounced the belief of a majority of the
members that war would be upon us with
in a week and Mr.. De Almond, of Missouri,
made a notable speech, declaring that If
hostilities We're to come it was our duty to
strike the first blow.
At the opening of the session Mr.. Boutelle,
chairman of the naval committee, said he
desired to go ahead with the naval appro-
priation bill despite the fact that under the
rules this was private bill day. He ex-
planned briefly the urgent necessity of get
ting the bill through at once.
A very significant incident occurred while
an attempt was being made to effect an
arrangement to postpone private bill day I'M
. til Tuesday. The speaker himself seemed
to hesitate about asking the consent of the
House., whereupon Mr.. Cromwell, Repub-
lican of Ohio, asked if Tuesday was set
apart for private bills whether it would in
terfere with a report from the foreign af-
fairs committee.
ut certainly would" replied the speaker
promptly.
Then 1 object" shouted Mr. Bromwell
Subsequently he withdrew his objection,
with the understanding that Tuesday should
be private bill day provided the foreign af-
fairs committee had no report to make to
the House. 9 &t
The naval bill was then taken up. Mr..
King (Dem. Utah) made a point of order
against the provision for new battle ships
and torpedo beats. 1t was overruled by the
chair.
MR.. CANNON'S PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the appropria-
tions committee, offered a substitute for the
paragraph in the bill, providing for three
battle ships, six torpedo boats and six tor
peodo boat destroyers. The substitute pro-
vided for one battle ship to cost 5000, 0OO
exclusive of armament, twelve torpedo boat
destroyers and twelve torpedo boats. to cost
ported the amendment in a brief speech
arguing that in case of necessity the torpedo
boats and the torpedo boat destroyers would
be much more valuable than the battle ships
because they would be quickly built.
How long does it require to build bat
tie ship" asked Mr.. Dockery.
Three years.
How long to construct torpedo boats?"
Under stress utilizing the ship yards of
the country from three to eight months
Mr.. Cannon appealed to members with
cool heads and without passion to act as
wise men should act
what objection" asked Mr.. Norton
Dem., o., 'have you to leaving the three
battle ships in the bill and increasing the
number of torpedo boats to the number pro-
vided in this amendment" Tremendous
applause in the galleries.)
Most gentlemen believe" said Mr.. Can
non, that within week we will be at
war with one of the countries of the earth.
That will mean additional taxation and au-
thorizations to borrow $500, 100000 1t means
that these burdens shall be put on the peo-
pie. Let us double taxation II necessary,
but let us not authorize single dollar that
in front of us Long before these battle
ships can be launched the war will be over
and | fear these battle ships will be obso-
lete." applause on the fioor.)
Mr. Boutelle, in a spirited reply, declared
that the history of naval warfare showed
that the great naval battles OF the world
had been won by the ships of the battle
line.
Mr.. Hilborn, member of the naval COM
mittee, argued earnestly in favor of au-
thorizing the permanent increase to the
battle line provided in the bill.
Mr. Cummings (Dem., N. W declared that
the value of the battle ship had been dem
onstrated at the battle of Yalu river and
that the subsequent action of Japan and
China in ordering battle ships not to speak
land and Russia were building immense
ships of the heavy fighting type, was con-
elusive Of their value.
MR.. PEARCE'S AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Pearce (Rep., MOI offered an amend
ment to increase the number of torpedo
boats and torpedo boat destroyers author
lied by the bill to twelve each, and to in
crease the appropriation from $23O0,OOO to
81, coo OO0 He quoted high naval officer as
stating that these torpedo crafts We're alb
solutely essential to the protection of the
battle ships of the navy. 1t was little short
of criminal he contended, to subject fleets
to dangers from a torpedo boat.
Mr. Boutelle said the committee was per-
ment, but he pointed out that under the
emergency appropriation the administrator
boats of the Mosquito feet for the pro-
lection of our fighting ships.
The debate then drifted into discussion
and torpedo craft. Mr.. Dockery (Dem..
MOI strongly opposed the Pearce amend
ment. He said that Congress, in the pres
ent emergency, should vote every dollar the
department asked, but here was PROPOSE
ton Endorsed neither by the department nor
the committee 1t was important he said,
that time-honored customs be observed
ard that members should not in an out
burst of enthusiasm vote away money that
partook more of the nature of an assault
upon the treasury than an assault upon
Spain The Pearce amendment was adopt
ed-137 to g.
Mr.. Foote CRep.. n. " then offered an
amendment to add two armored cruisers, to
cost, exclusive or armament. not to exceed
s., 900 600. to the provision for new ships.
While he was advocating the amendment
he became involved in wordy war with
Chairman Cannon. Of the appropriations
committee. during the course of which
strong language was used. 1t was lost-60
to 80.
mir. Steele CRep., Ind.) moved to decrease
the number Of battle ships from three to
two.
Much bad temper was displayed as the
debate proceeded. Mr.. Boutelle, after Mr..
Steele had withdrawn a motion to close de-
bate, said: II did not know but the gentle
man had Withdrawn my bill. (Laughter)
81 think every member upon this tioor,'