The times., 1899-03-03
FRIDAY. MARCH 8. 1899.
The Naval Appropriation Bill.

The Naval approximation bill. which
might more properly be described as "a
bill TO cripple the American Navy, and for
other nefarious purposes" has gone to
conference. The legislative situation in
these closing days of the Fifty-fifth Con-
gress does not suggest much hope
that the elements opposed TO the good
and glory of the American nation and peo-
pie will be defeated in their purpose TO
hamper our sea power, seeing that they
have been unable to deprive us of an army.
Should this probability become 4 GER
iainty President Mckinley will either have
to swallow the affront to the country and
TO the service which, in the largest degree.
has won the war against spain and gained
for the country a vast and rich colonial
empire or he will have to summon Con-
gress in extraordinary session to save us
from the evils of an inadequate fighting
force on the water.
Under these conditions it would be an
idiot or traitor to his country who would
not sympathize with the President in the
position imposed upon him. Also. il would
be a false friend who would not call his
attention to the main cause of his failure
10 secure such a patriotic hacking in the
Senate and House that the Vaccinations
of the foreign and anti-expansion influ
ences and lobbies would have been rem
dered futile.
We are sorry We must again remind Mr..
Mckinley that he has taken all the fight
OUT Of his friends and the friends of the
American army and navy in Congress and
elsewhere. by appearing TO lend himself
and his Office to the sins and disgraces of
AlgeTism and Sampsonism. He has been
urged by some OF those who admire and be-
lfeve in him to clear himself of the dis
favor and discredit with which those foul
blots upon his Administration have infec-
tiously spotted him. But, up 10 this time,
he has allowed himself 10 be represented
as the determined apologist and protector
OF both. and in so doing he has broken the
heart of that patriotic element that might
otherwise have been found al his side.
There could have been little satisfaction
in battling for an army. proper as it
might be to make the struggle, when hon
est men felt that the more they gave
nominally into the hands of the Com
mander-i Chief. the more they would be
building up the power of such persons as
Alger and Eagan. There could be little
satisfaction in taking bold stand IN the
House against Reed. or in the Senate
against Hoar, Hale. and Agufnaldo. if the
result OF a successful contest were 10 give
Long more opportunity TO disorganize the
service, or to Sampson enlarged chances
TO discredit il in the eyes of all men.
Even during the past week It has been
within the power of Mr.. Mckinley to wipe
out the disgrace which evil and corrupt
tounselors have put upon him, and 10
let the world know that he did not mean
longer TO assume responsibility for a con-
dition OF things both in the army and navy
that amounts to black national and inter
national scandal
II We were Democratic before being
American, we could easily hail the Presi-
dental blunder in this respect as a piece
Of providential politics, and shrek with
partisan delight over the deadly foolish
ness OF an enemy. But we cannot take that
view of the matter Rather would we re-
joice to believe that William Mckinley
albeit a Republican. could. like others
rise above his party or personal prejudices
and immediate interests and stand out al
the exponent and leader of all honest
Americans.
He cannot appear so while Alger is &
possibility at the head of the War Depart
ment. or an individual like Sampson 4:
even tolerated in the navy. Perhaps h'
may not agree with US now. He sometime:
observes that the sentiment of the country
Today may not represent its future opin-
ion. In the present connection, however
we solicit his attention to these remarks
about the tenth of November, A. d. 1900.