New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-02
GOOD WORK FOR THE NAVY
CHAIRMAN BOUTELLE'S CREDITABLE
RECORD.
MORE THAN HALF OF THE INCREASES AUTHOR
lied N BILLS PREPARED BY THE HOUSE
NAVAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WHILE
HE HAS BEEN AT ITS HEAD.
rDY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNs.l

HE HAS BEEN AT ITS HEAD
my TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUysl
WASHINGTON MAJ LIN the course OF his speech
IN the House Of Representatives yesterday on the
corf rence report on the Naval Appropriation OIL
Chairman Boutee gave some exceedingly interest
Ing facts showing the progress made in the last
fifteen wears in building the new Navy. During
the entire period Captain Boutelle has been mem
Der OF the Committee on Naval Affairs as chair
man OF which he is serving his third term.
and he is entitled to large share OF the credit for
the legislation by virtue OF which the new Navy
has grown to its present size ana strength. II was
natural and impairment, therefore. for him 20
speak Of his own relations to that legislation. He
might properly have said more. and especially
might he have referred 10 the provision requiring
that all materials used in the ships and their
armament should be OF domestic manufacture
MR.. BOUTELLE'S SPEECH.
Among other things Mr.. Boutelie said.
Let me tell you briefly what the change has been
IN Navy in compare lively few years Fifteen
year ago the Star-Spangled Banner was not ny
ing on single modern snip OF war-not one We
United States. We cou!d not make ton Of armor
done all that We ought 20 have done In tnat d!re,-
ton, have at least accomplished notable WORK.
tor the chaTacter OF "nicn We na1e no IeSso %
tons for the naval service OF the United STATES
that is ~ the regular expenses Of the service and
amounted 10 During aat tine in the i've
years in which il has been my priyilege chairman
House we have appropriated sic SIS % or almost
Dyoyded for this purpose in onethTd OF the whole
period TO which nave referred During that tine
the new Navy INCLUDING those IN The present BILL
pleasure 10 introduce bills that have finally carried
a @ 9ns for b creae Of the %svy during
Tat period including the present bll nave been
sl5lll7 597 and the bills reported from The commit
Years. 5ss 81 ca M4Sd ss 'S or nea1y oaha " ~
The increase o; me sVp tof been Ok fns,ed men
which the committees 0: which was chairman
crease without regard 70 the exigency provision
in the present bill When We come down 20 the
Years starting from condition where We had not
a single modern gun afoat, We have put ahoat and
Ns 1 caPa Of g at e ve 9e FIJI ds
charge 0. its guns l2--e pounds O. metal. ana o,
By the committee during the I'VE years Of chair
manshp have PVT 6S 9a ana wa en snos + n:
52 egS hounds Of all-around FIRE AZ every discharge
or mole than one-haf
THE NEW SHIPS AUTHORIZED.
The number OF ships shows similar proportion
We have butt in fifteen years ia vessels OF all
classes Of which 81. precisely 30 per cent. have
been reported and authorized in bills originated IN
The committee while have been chairman. in one
there have been sixty-three authorized. OF which
the RECORD shows that tho first torpedo cruiser
thorzed In this country was In the same appro-
pratOn that carried the INST threc bdtIcshlp IN
The LIst Congress. may also be permitted TO note
mat Of the four frs. class bat'le-sAips in com
mission to-Gay-the Indiana the Massachusetts the
oregon and the iOWa--three OF them provided
and of the twelve bdttle-shps TO date nine have
been provided In bills that have had the honor
to report the House
In presenting this sunr1ary Of my stewardship
make no claim 10 Undue personal credit, for the
committee with which have beer associated has
been Jealous industrious and earnest in promoting
the great work accomplished while much work has
hern done with the other distinguished chairmen
with whom have served The Senate Committee
is also entitled TO full credit for a liberal share in
yyhat has been achieved, and make acknowledge
ment Of The services Of all the patriotic legislators
and OF ncrs have contributed 70 such gratifying
| progress in the building of our great new Navy.
Mr. Speaker. have no apology 10 make for the
amount carried by this conference report. We
have sought 10 meet the exigencics of the occasion
a. they appeaied 70 Us. We have had our purpose
/ 10 strengthen the Navy In every part and in
every arm. To-day the brave sailors Of our sh ps
are waiting the response Of the American Congress
! 10 thei. needs To-day the recruiting officers are
| waiting for the authority conferred in this bill.
| To-day every patriotic heart in this great
| country OF ours is looking 10 Washington
! IN note the promptncss ana entnusidsm with which
| Tho great popular branch OF our National I.egs-
iati,re shall respond 10 the demand the hour for
| The support Of those sent 10 the front Every
brecze that comes from the south from, the ISL
| ands OF the Pacific may come freich;cd with the
| Togr OF the cannon OF our Navy in encounter with
! that of Spain. Every tick OF the telegraph may
| bring 10 Us news o. gravest import To-day we
arc Informed that the Government OF Spain has It's
! feet upon The nigh seas. bound no one knows
| whittier: but with no proclaimed enemy except the
! I ask this House in this solemn situation not 70
| hesitate not 10 delay, but 10 respond the de-
| mand OF the people and respond the demand o.
biz Of supplies which now rests upon the Speaker
| table