The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-01
HOUSE DID NOT CONCUR
REFUSED TO ACCEPT SENATE
AMENDMENTS TO NAVAL BILL.
Compensation of Officers for Inven-
tiOns Not AcreeabIe-NO War ON
Revenue Bill in the Senate.

WASHINGTON, April 3O.-To-day's ses-
sion of the House was devoted chiefly to
consideration of the conference report on
the naval appropriation bill, presented on
yesterday by Chairman Boutelle. The re-
port was rejected after three hours of de-
bate and further conference will follow.
The only ground upon which the fight
against the report was made was found in
the Senate amendment to compensate naval
officers for government use of their inven-
tons, and authorizing them to AVE their
claims for such compensation adjudicated
in the Court of Claims. Mr.. Boutelle led
the support of the amendment and Messrs.
Cannon and Savers the opposition. A reso-
luton, introduced by Mr.. Cannon insisting
upon eliminating the amendment was
adopted-11S to 42-and the naval bill was
again sent to conference.
At the opening of the session the speaker
announced that the House adjourned yester-
day pending the disposition of a point of
order made by Mr.. Cannon that the con-
ferees had exceeded their jurisdiction by in
PRODUCING into the report matter which was
not in difference between the two Houses.
The speaker recognized Mr.. Cannon.
Mr.. Cannon said his point was based upon
the provision inserted by the conferees pro-
viding for additional officers. noncommis-
stoned officers and 1850 men in the marine
corps.
Mr.. BOutelle said he was anxious to secure
the earliest possible action on the naval blll
in order 80 equip and support to the utmost
the forces the country had sent to war, TO
the end that the earliest success to our arms
might be accomplished. Accordingly, he was
not inclined 10 insist upon technlcdlltleS
that might delay the passage of the bill,
but was willing to make any reasonable ar
rangement that would give the House a fair
opportunity to consider the amendment in
nFnEffAA f+ar E,z,,n -1fEnrYGCinn Nv tlnII-
tele made a request for unanimous consent
that the report be rejected. with the right
to move to reconsider reserved, pending
which motion the House should proceed 10
consideration and debate of the report TO
occupy one hour and a half.
Mr.. BOutelle'S request was agreed TO. ana
then MI. Savers had read the Senate
amendment, directing the secretary of the
navy To use. when necessary, any lnventlon
of naval officers and authorizing such OFF,
GERS 10 prosecute claims for compensation
therefor in the Court o. Claims.
Mr.. Cannon presented a resolution declar-
ING 1t the sense of Congress that officers of
the navy were not entitled to compensation
for the use of inventions made while in the
services of the navy and that the laws
should be so amended as to prevent such
Compensation. After a long debate Mr.. Cam
non withdrew the resolution and offered in
stead a resolution instructing the House
conferees to insist on the Senate amend
ment being stricken out. He warned the
House against persons who were ready to
take advantage of the excitement and pa
triotic fervor for war TO get through lesila-
ton that ought not TO be enacted. he OPP
posed the amendment on the ground of no
merit and further because it was entirely
out Of place in the appropriation bin. 1t
was plainly new legislation without any con-
nection with the appropriation of money.
Proceeding to discuss the amendment. Mr.
Cannon declared it. in his opinion. "a wick
ed and corrupting piece of legislation"
Mr.. BOutelle. speaking for the amendment
and closing the debate, criticised sharply
the objection to the amendment and char
acteriZed it as ineXcusable haSgling. while
the navy and the country waited in sore
need of those war essentials for which the
bill provided. Intimating that members
who had been first in forcing the country
TO war" were acting improperly in now OPP
posing the bill. Mr.. Boutelle brought Mr..
Henry, of Mississippi, to his feet.
Does the gentleman from Maine throw
that charge at us, simply because We OPP
pose that amendment. which we do not
think wise?' asked Mr.. Henry.
u mean to say that gentlemen are delay
Ing the whole bill. with its war provisions,
by insisting on opposing a small and I'M
important amendment which the Senate
placed upon the bill, as it had a right 10
do"
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Boutelle's
speech a vote was taken upon the Cannon
resolution insisting on striking out the
amendment in conference. The resolution
was agreed tolls TO 42.
on motion of Mr.. Boutelle the House
asked the Senate for further conference.
Conferecs on the part OF the House were
named in the persons of Messrs. Boutelle,
Hiilborn and Cummings.
Mr.. Cannon from the committee en- ap-
Preparations, reported back 70 the House
the sundry civil bill. with Senate. amend
ments. with 4 recommendation that the
House ~nonconcuT. The House nonconcuxreos