New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-03
CLEARING SENATE DECKS.
NOTIFICATIONS AND ALASKA CODE
BILLS PASSED.
CENSUS AND NAVAL PERSONNEL BILLS
SENT TO THE PRESIDENTIAL
ARMOR-PLATE DISCUSSION.

Washington. March almost the entire session
OF the Senate to-day was devoted to routine bust
ness. Throescore or more Of minor bills were
passed the calendar being cleared u private pen
sion bills and OF measures correcting military and
naval records Two measures OF National lmpor-
tancc passed. the Forthcations Appropriation
bin and the bill providing code OF criminal laws
for the district OF Alaska. provision for high
license in the latter measure created considerable
discussion. and effort was made TO incorporate
absolute prohibition amendment. but II failed
by decisive vote The Fortincations bill was
passed precisely II came from the House with
out amendment. and # goes to the President
Conference reports on the Census and Naval Per
sonnet bills We're agreed to- and these measures
also 80 TO the President.
In a speech on the Fortncntions bill Mr. Cor
man alluded 10 the action OF the Senate yesterday,
when the price Of armOr- plate was reduced 10 800
a ton While a large Army had been provided
yesterdays action indicated. ne said that effec-
tive provision had been made FOR the Navy. The
action Of tho Senate on the armOrpate matter
would In his opinion. prevent the completion Of
any war vessels the armor for which had not al
ready been contracted for 80" said he. I'VE
shall have until 1871 tOp-hcavy Army and no
proper Navy to go with 1t. believe there is
close understanding among the armor manufacture
ers Of the world and that they have received
larger prices for armor than was Just Ny belief
however. is that in our desire to economic and
prevent extortion. We will cmbarrass the Govern
ment II We were not in a position to get Into
quarrcls with other nations It might be wise 10
give our manufacturers an obiect-lesson. be-
levc that while we are spending 5000 90 cco 800
O00o TO elevate foreign peoples. II might have
been wise perhaps TO submit to this extoruon IN
the interests of safety"
Mr. Lodge declared that while millions Of dollars
expended for the improvement Of rivers ana
harbors an attempt was being made TO economize
Nofi NAL f.fcu To-
tested against such policy. He thought the
amount that might he saved armor plate would
be insignificant compared with the loss II tho
United States should become involved in difficulties
with any Of the great nations. He declared that
the Cramps paying $75 a ton for armor
FOR the Russian ships they were building. and that
England had contracted for armor at ill7 a ton.
lie held that II the price Of armor was hXod at 500
it would stop armor- making
Mr.. Hale reported the General Deficiency Appro-
priatlon bill and gave notice that he would call 1t
up early tomorrow.
The Senate then. motion Of Mr.. Hoar, at sos
D. m went into executive session.
At the conclusion OF the executive session Mr..
Foraker called up the resolutions on the death Of
Representative stephen \. Northway, Of the
XIXth Ohio District and delivered eulogy on the
character OF the man.
Al the evening session Mr. Quay moved that the
Senate concur in the amendment OF the House 10
the Dill providing Tor the erection OF q DulldliB lot
the Department u Justice. the amendment limit
ing the cost 70 81. 900 600 The motion agreed
TO. which passes the bill.
Consideration Of the Fortihcatons bill re-
sumed and Mr.. Tlman was recognized 20 reply to
speeches made earlier In the day by Mr.. German
and Mr. Lodge. Ne said that il was anomalous
condition that the conference on the Naval bill
N control Of men who were opposed 10 the
Senate amendment 20 reduce the price OF armor
plate. lie willing and anxious 10 give the
Administration all the support 1t needed. both for
the Army and the Navy.
Mr. Plat Conn inquired II Mr. THllman be
lieved Krupp armor could be purchased at even
$40 ton.
Mr Tillman replied that perhaps # could not be.
but he was convinced that The extra price for
Krupp armor simply a scheme 10 rob ~ out
Of sl43 ton lie was willing 10 complete every
battlc-ship now the stocks and pay $500 a ton
for the armor but he wanted Congress TO proceed
free he country from the clutches or the armor
trust.
Mr. Platt said he desired simply that the war
vessels OF the United States should be covered win
the very best armor made. and he thought every
other American fclf he did. He did not believe
that England. Russia and Germany were sub
hitting the eXactions OF an uncon- he trust
and l. was IN evidence that they were paying about
$j75 ton for Krupp armor
Mr.. Chandler declared I'm answer 70 questions
that there was no evidence that the krupp armor
was any better than ne Harveyized armor as no
nvestiea ton had been made 81 armor since Secie-
tarv Herbert made his inquiry
division.
Eulogcs on the late Representative ". / Love
OF MisssspDi were 'hen delivered. and the : nate
at 1906 p. m adjourned until II o'clock tomorrow