The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-25
THE NAVY BILL.
Patriotic Speeches in support of a
Liberal Appropriation.

| Discussion on the naval appropriate
was resumed in the House immediate
ly after its opening today. Mr.. Foss OF
/ Illinois was the first speaker.
| He said 1t should be matter of com
mon concern of the nation to provide an
adequate defense. He declared that his
| district, located in the interior of the
| country, as well as all other interior
| Congressional districts, was as much in
terested in building up and maintaining
| the Navy as the more exposed districts.
IF an emergency be upon us. the
| American Navy is ready to meet 1t. In
every great crisis in the history of this
country the American sailor has never
failed TO gloriously perform his duty"
Mr.. Foss gave a review of the achieve
ments of our Navy in the past, giving 1t
special credit in the last war But the
most powerful navy in the world, said
he, has dropped in the lsat sixteen
years to almost the lowest.
The first step towards building up n
new navy was taken in 1881, and since
the first few years after 1881 our con-
struction has been exclusively domestic
Quoting the words of Secretary Ira
cy. American mechanics have proved
their superiority by again placing this
country where ii was seventy years ago,
when American construction was the
best. While our navy today is not as
large as some other naYies of the world,
il presents points of superiority. Our
ships rank among the finest of any navy
and will give a good account of them
selves.
Thus we have demonstrated that with
in fifteen years American mechanics can
build ships that inspire just pride in ev-
cry American heart.
IF war should come and we were
obliged to rely on our Navy to protect
the nations honor, the American people
would soon discover that our seamen to-
day are fully as brave and daring as our
soldiers OF the past. The GOODNESS of the
officers and men of the Maine when she
was blown up bears testimony 10 this"
Mr.. Foss declared tilat the building up
of the Navy would stimulate the build
ing OF merchant vessels
The day Of European colonies is pass
ed, at least on this hemisphere where
the rights of man were first proclaimed
and self-government first organized
Mr.. Foss was heartily applauded and
warmly congratulated, and the close OF
his speech, at the conclusion of which
the bin was read by the clerk, and the
hve-minute debate rule prevailed
Mr.. Stewart OF New Jersey paid a
glowing tribute to the murdered Maine
sailors.
No matter what the judgment of the
Court of Inquiry may be-" said Mr.
Stewart, lit is the duty of this country
and this Congress TO declare the freedom
of Cuba and drive the Spanish soldiers
from that island"
Mr. Bartholt said that aspersions had
been cast by European papers on our
naturalized citizens. They claim that in
case Of war this would be n weak spot
in our country. Mr.. Bartholt said that
he had been surprised that this insult
had not been resented.
II know ! voice the sentiment of ev-
cry adopted citizen in this country when
/ say America against England. Ameri-
ca against Spain, America against Ger
many, America against the worli
America. right or wrong, but always
America"
Mr.. Hartman of Montana tried TO get
the floor under the five-minute rule to
make general speech. Objection was
made by Mr.. Boutelle. This brought on
a lively discussion between the Demo-
cratic leaders; point of order was made
and the chair decided that Mr.. Hartman
was out of order. An appeal was taken
from the ruling.