The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-03-17
PROMPT CONGRESSIONAL AcTlON.
How an Appropriation for S5O.OOO,OOO Was
Made. ,a.!

How an Appropriation for S5O,OOO,OOO Was
Made. hnH.l
| An important conference resulting in
the appropriation by Congress of $50. 600 900
| for national defense, to be Immediately
| available and to be expended in the dis
| cretion OF the President was the most
! significant OF the war preparations of last
| week. .t<r I
The conference was at the Presidents in
stance and took place on Monday between
the President Secretaries of War and Navy:
Senator Allison, Chairman of the Senate
Appropriations Committee; Senator Hale,
| Chairman, Senate Naval Committee; Rep
resentative DingIey, Chairman House Ways
and Means Committee; Representative
| Boutelle, Chairman House Naval Comm
| mittee; Representative Cannon, Chairman
House Appropriations Committee, and
| Representative Grosvenor.
The President laid before the gentlemen
.uIl details of the situation. Mr.. Mckinley
vas assured That whatever policy he might
ldopt AMI whatever measure he might
| consider necessary to place before Con-
| .ress would receive the unanimous as
sent of that body. regardless Of the politi-
cal sentimentyof its members.
It was finally decided that the condition
| of affairs was such that an emergency APP
preparation was necessary and that $50, 900,
| DO was the proper amount. a resolution
u this effect was prepared by Mr.. Cannon
| and presented.
| Party lines were obliterated in the House
when time came for action, on March 8.
| Tie purpose seemed to be to demonstrate
| 10 The world that the whole Congress of the
| United States is ready to support the
! President policy. The galleries and lob
! bies were t,lronged. There were four hours
of patriotic speechmalSing by members of
all parties represented.
The Committee on Appropriations had
unanimously ordered a report to the House
that an urgency deficiency bill be passed,
making the following appropriations: For
printing and binding, S66, 600; for Bureau OF
Medicine and Surgery, naval establish
ment. SO 900; for Bureau OF Equipment
naval establishment, 500. 900; for Bureau
Of Ordnance, naval establishment, 81 900;
for the national defense, $50, 900 600; total,
$50 lS5 600.
Mr. Barrett Mass, r. wanted to make
an amendment and objected to arrange
ment for the debate when he was not al
lowed to do So He finally Withdrew the
objection without having been able to
state his amendment. He explained after
wards that he wanted to amend the bill by
increasing the appropriation.
Chairman Cannon formally reported the
bill The appropriation, he said, covered
in some of the items expenditures already
made But the other was intended to per
nit the President. in an ttprIy manner, to
use the Army and Navy. Ii would be ex
pended by a wise and patriotic Executive.
It was not a threat; only provision to
permit the President 10 maintain the dig
nifty honor. and integrity Of the Nation if
assaied. 1t was not war measure; IN his
opinion it was a peace measure.
Mr. Sayers Tex, d. said every member
should support the bill; he declared his
purpose to stand by the Administration,
that peace might be preserved, and II not
that that the honor OF the American. people
be maintained.
Mr.. Allen Miss, d. said the people OF
his section stood ready to honor any draft
upon their resources to uphold the glory OF
tie flag.
Mr.. Pitney IN. J.. RI said the declara-
ton contained in the bill was an an
nouncement to the world that If, despite all
efforts TO maintain peace and honor, war
were forced upon us, the United States
was at all times prepared to meet Whatever
was in store for it, He complfmented the
President for the dignity and composure.
with which he had comported himself.
The American people south of the POtO-2
mac support this bill, said Gen. Wheeler
Ala, ID. J. and let me say to those who
cry peace, peace that the best way to
preserve peace is to be thoroughly pre-
pared for war" 80 no s'3I
Gen Grosvenor Ohio, r. referred to the
Presidents experience in the/war, and
asked: Does any one doubt where his
loyalty, patriotism, or courage IS calmly
ne had met every condition with Is, 900, 000
of people behind him. The lesson and re-
suit of the war of the rebellion can be read
and felt in the events OF the present day IN
a reunited, patriotic, and devoted people.
Mr.. Bailey Tex, d. said he feared I'VE
nave gone too far to escape the worst. We
,iave gone further than would have been
necessary if at the proper time we had
heard and answered the prayer OF the
Cuban patriots. But we stand ready to say
10 those administering the Government
that whatever is needed for the defense Of
the country we stand ready to give UNI
grudgingly."
Gen Henderson Iowa, RI said the les
son Of the Afternoon was a beautiful one
for the country. He said: "ln this Republic
our great aim should be for peace. The |
trueSt patriot is he who secures and keeps |
peace for his people
Many others made speeches. The de- |
bate being lcloSed the question was put on |
the passage of the bill. The House rose |
en- masse in it's favor. Mr.. Cannon asked |
for the ayes and noes. Every member |
present voted for the bill. The Speaker |
had his name called and voted too. Then
he announced 1911 ayes; noes, none" and |
the applause was great.
The Senate took up the question OF ap- |
propTiating $50 900, 600 on March 8. a large |
number of spectators were in the galleries |
and ON the floor the attendance was I'M
usually large.
Al the proper time, Mr.. Hale arose and |
said
If report from the Committee on Appro-
priatiOns, without amendment, an act to
supply urgent deficiencies for the current |
year and for other purposes, and | ask thai
1t he placed on its passage.
The bill was read. the silence during the
reading being intense. The bill was placed
on its passage.
The yeas and nays were called. Such
unanimity as the roll call developed was as
as il was significant.
Within 20 minutes after the Senate had
the roll call had been completed
and the Vice-Presdent had announced
that the bill was passed 70 Senators vot-
ing in the affirmative and not one in the
negative. IT was autaoritatively announced !
for every absent Senator that if he were
present he would vote aye.
The same afternoon, at B 40 O'Clock
President Mckinley affixed his signature
to the measure.