The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-06
IN THE HOUSE.
Fortifirations Appropriation Bill
Pa~sed-Speech by Lewis.


WASHINGTON. Fab. s--The house to-
day. during il entire session. had under
consideration rhe BIZ making aFpropriz--
tons for fortsdeations and coast dsfenses.
Less than one half OF tire members were
present. The eill was passed II carries
:4Iii.sl2 against ss5I7.1sl last year.
Royse lRep-9 OF Indiana, era rrnan Of
committee on elections No. >. presented =
resolution declaring that in the cont ST
between Samuel Hudson ard William Nc
Aiser, OF Pennsylvania. for a seat in the
house. McAeer is entitled to the seat
without division. The resolution was
acouted.
The house then went into committee OF
the whole and resumed consideration Of
the fortihcatlons appropriation bill
Lewis q Washington took occasion 10
discuss the financial question. and said il
was the purpose Of the adninistrati to
retire greenhacks. He criticised the lead
ers OF the house for not allowing more
time 70 discuss the Teller resolution.
Mcclellan DeEnD OF New York. in
speech declaring thai the bin carried no
adequate appropriation for the defense O.
Ne@ York harb0r. said that too much
money was expended for The imp overnent
OF cur iiarbors. whieh would make than
accessible fc hostile feet
II would 5e much batter" said he
first TO protect our harbors. and then
after they are protected. TO improve
them"
In response Sayers Dan) Of Texas.
member OF the appropriation committee,
expressed the opinion that there was not
the slightest prospect OF war with any
foreign country. He said:
Economy ought 10 be the watchwora
on 0oIn sides If this chamber and no an
preparation for any project ought ~ be
made unless Il is absolutely necessary
We ought 10 unite 70 make this congress
one OF the most economical since the ciyi,
war.
by the Introduction of an amendment to
rscuee the maximum price Of osi-tempe-ed
and anneaied steel from 3 to % cents per
pound. McRae Of Arkansas made n sharp
attack on the administration. He said he
had no fear Of war. because he was salts
fed the present administration would ac-
cept any Insult from a foreign, nation that
might be offered. bound hand and foot as
X was ty trusts aud monopolies The grea.
mass or the people, however would bro
tect the honor Of the country Instead
CT preparing for war TO protect the coun-
try frcm the inroads OF a foreign nation.
Mcltas thought congress ought to protect
the country from further issue OF bonds
which seemed likely. in view Of the pres
ent condition OF the revenues. before the
end OK the year.
foote tRep) of New York and Mahon
tRep) OF Pennsylvania opposed the amend
nleat, maintaining that its adoption would
result precisely as had the effort OF con-
sress to reduce the price of armor plate.
and that IL was likely to cause one years
delay In the manufacture of guns. The
amendment was defeated. So TO 81
Lewis of Washington obtained the floor
10 conclude the remarks he had begun
carrier in the day. He maintained that
the treasury had now only s2l4 0o0. 90 with
which 10 pay a s. ol0 900 90 debt-a debt
tnat was constantly increasing. He held
that the government was now paving q
H'-cent dollar in liquidation OF its obIlga-
uofs-ooiigauons that when contracted
were worth only 50 cents ON the present
dollar.
After another fruitless effort on the part
OK Mcclellan to amend the bill. the read
ing OF the measure was concluded. report
ed by the committee Of the whole to the
house and passed.
A. $40 p. m. the house adjourned until
Monday.