The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-16

ing bill providing for two additional reg
lments of artillery. The proposition IS
strongly favored by the war department.
These regiments are wanted to man the
guns in the new Notifications planned and
being built for coast defense. If the APP
preparation for them is placed in the reg
ular army appropriation bill, it is liable
to be stricken out on a point of order
Should separate bill for this increase
be reported from the committee, it would
go on the calendar and could not be con-
sidered without a special order from the
committee on rules. It's fate, therefore.
is primarily in the hands of the leaders
of the House. Once before this body, the
bill would give rise to sharp discussion
and probably pass. Judging from the lib
crafty shown by the Senate in the APP
preparations for fort.fcations it would
readily pass that body
There are several vital measures before
the committee on naval affairs. One is the
personnel bill. 1t purports to be a settle
ment of the long-standing differences be-
tween the line and staff, and is strongly
urged by the Secretary of the Navy. 1t is
said that its passage will add least six nun
bred thousand dollars yearly to the naval
appropriation bill. This increase even if
the bin should be reported from the naval
committee, would undoubtedly lead to
bitter fight in the House. Its chances are
CNAANA
directions. More docks are required, entail
ing an expense of millions. The armor
plate matter is unsettled, and three ships
are now on the stocks awaiting its settle
ment before they can be completed. In the
estimation of the statesmen of the House,
docks and armor plate may be regarded as
a greater necessity than a reorganization
of the personnel of the navy. There IS to-
day no United States dock in which first
a1o ~, cl7f in safely he ONprnauled,
The struggle over the armor plate Is be-
coming complicated. Members who never
took an interest in naval matters are now
advocating the construction of govern
nent plant. Each seems to have district
peculiarly adapted to the building Oh such
a plant Some districts have great deptn
of water. and others huge seams of coal
and iron ore. There are so many available
spots for the erection of such plant that
it is extremely doubtful whether the gov
eminent will ever go into the business OF
manufacturing armor plate. Its experience
with its gun foundry at Washington, at
cost of $20.OO0,COO is not encouraging.
The condition of the Naval Academy
at Annapolis is another important mat
ter Some of The buildings nave peeh
condemned. and others are extremely I'M
healthy. Their condition is disgrace
to the nation. For years large appro-
nriations have been asked for the recon-
struction of the academy. The navy de-
nartment now recommends an approprl-
alton of $4,000 TO begin the work. II
would probably take three or 1ouf hlllions
to make the academy what il should pc
the leading naval school Of the world. It
certainly ought to be placed on a par
with the Military Academy at West Point.
The needs of the latter are provided IN
a separate appropriation bill, known as
the Military Academy bill, and reported
from the committee on military allalts'
which also reports the army appTupiia
.tion bill. The appropriations Tor the NaF9l
Academy are made in the naval appropr-
ation hill itself. and their importance be-
come apparently insignificant IN compac'-
son with the enormous appropriations LOT
the increase Of the navy.
s,be committee on agriculture has also
q nroblem before il. The florists, hur-
! ser'vrnen and seed dealers OF the couh-
trv are aroused They are deluginS MEM
bers with requests to stop the Tree CIR
.,,tation Of seeds by the government.
rbere Is no probability. however, that
tris will he done The seed Distribution
viii he continued, as the country mem
bers. rule the roosA and the city mempets
arc indifferent. The Secretary OF Asri
culture himself has been MEMBER %
congress, and his relations win Ii menu
| to.dov arc far different from those OF
! his predecessor z,m.,itio- oon
sufh are some OF the difficulties con,
fronfinq the Fifty-fourth Congress, aside
] from the regular appropriation plHs' WIN
I'm oH,nenses of the government running
forty for millions Of dollars behind the ere, re-
~ 90 in The first six months Of the pres
S erDt fiscal year, it seems safe 20 say t5at
% tilo IoodeTs of the House will conflne
themselves to appropriations absolutely
necessary for the support OF me govern Scs.1-
sl,rt and switch aside all other eHoIts
men ~ 1o,,inte me treasury Metaphorically,
t6e sneaker of the House is sitting on the
s COW 9y safe, win the combination In
Coy -. raci,et and his heels over the tumbers
MS poOiN0' Amos j. Cummings.
The new British peerage Iust Issueu
| shows that no less than Soy rev i,,tiioe
have been added during the past Juollee
,io,,r a. nrivv councillors, peers, oaronets