Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-24
WARM DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
Contest Again Posts
poncd-The Price OF Armor Plate
PrOvokes an Exchange or Hot
Words Between Members The
West Virgtnin scnatorship Rail-
way Concessions.
(By Telegraph to vlrginia-Pilot.)

after the reading of the Journal in the
House to-day, Mr.. Crumpacker CRep.,
of lndiana) called up the contested
election case Of Brown VS.. Swanson,
from the Fifth Virginia Distrcs.
Against this Mr.. Miers (Dem., of Indi-
anal raised the question of consdera-
ton. Mr.. Crumpacker attempted to
call up the same case several weeks
ago. but the House, by vote of 1l3 to
70. decided not to consider it. The
House to-day declined to consider the
case-99 to 1872.
The committee on Naval Affairs.
which had the right of way with the
naval appropriation Dill, agreed 10
yield an hour to the committee on Dis
trict of Columbia to dispose Of some
important matters
ARAiOR PLATE.
Al 1:i5 p. m. the House went into
committee of the whole, and resumed
the consideration of the naval appro-
priation bill, the pending question be-
ing on the point of order raised
against the amendment offered by Mr..
Underwood Dem.. of Alabama) to APP
.propriate 100000 for the construction
OF an armor plate plant at such place
lect.
Mr.. Bou;elle continued his defense of
the recommendation of the committee
tn increase the maXimtIm price of ar
NOR To s5i5. Tests had demonstrated
he said. the KrupD armor of % per
cent less weight than Harveyized ar
NOR had equal resisting power.
MIR. Sherman (Rcp., of New York;,
who was In the chair sustained the
point of order against the Underwood
amendment.
The question then REQUIRED upon Mr.
Boutelle's amendment, fixing the price
OF armor at $545 per ton. Owing to its
resisting power. Mr.. Boutcllc contend
ed that the cost of Krupp armor for
like protection would be slightly less
than that of liarvcyized armor at $500
per ton.
y FLAT CONTRADICTION.
Mr.. Hopkins CRcpublican. Illinois,
moved 10 amend the Boutclle amend
mcnt so ms 10 fix the price of armor
plate at $l45 per ton. The royalty on
Krupp armor. he said was Si5 per ton
and he had searched in vain for evil
dence to show that the manufa cturc of
Erupp armor was more expensive than
Harvey armor There has been no indie
pendent investigation. There was no
recommendation save from IA subordi-
nate official of the Navy Department.
That IS not true" interrupted Mr..
ipphN'iit' ll'ui lSillnts 'iltll IL nunulul oil
documents. Il have here the evidence
which the House refuses to hear"
Mr.. Hopkins declared that he had
been informed upon reputable authority
that the proposition in the bill was an
attempt to "bunco" the Government
a CHALLENGE.
This statement aroused the indigna-
tion of Mr. Boutelle and Mr.. Dalzell
Republicans. PAD
Give the name of your authority"
said Mr.. DalZell.
He won't" shouted Mr.. Boutelle.
81 challenge him to name n single man
who ever made such n statement"
The gentleman would not permit the
member from Maine to black his boots
retorted Mr.. Hopkins. turning ndig-
nantly upon his antagonist.
At this point the gavel took Mr. Hop
kins off the floor. and Mr. RiXey dem
ocrat, Vrgina). member of the Naval
Committee. in n five minute speech, OPP
posed the committees proposition.
which he said would increase the cost
of armor for a single ship $4,000.
HUMILIATING ADMISSION.
Mr.. Burke Democrat, Texas said II
was Illuminating to hear Il member OF
the Naval Committee admit that the
Government was absolutely at the mer-
cy of the armor plate manufacturers.
Mr.. Walker Otepublican. Massachu-
se;ts) offered an amendment to Mr.
Hopkins amendment. providing that
the Government should not pay more
for armor plate than any foreign Gov
eminent paid. The amendment was
adopted. 112 to As.
The Hopkins amendment to the
amendment was carried. 102 to u.s. and
as amended 0iXng the price of armor
at s445) the amendment was adopted
without division.
Mr.. Boutelle gave notice he would
demand a separate vote in the House
a FURORE CREATED.
Mr.. Moody Gsep), of Massachusetts
then created something of n furore by
Offering at the end of the bill n copy
of the Senate bill to create the rank of
admiral of the navy. Uproarious APP
plause greeted the reading of the
amendment. The Naval Committee had
amended this bill so as to create the
rank of vice-admiral. as we'll as adj
miral.
Mr.. Boutelle at first raised point
of order against the amendment. but,
turning suddenly upon Mr. Moody. de-
clared he would withdraw the point in
defence to what appeared to be the
general demand OF the House, if the
amendment could be voted upon with
out debate.
I'VE will vote without n word" said
Mr.. Moody Vote" vote" went ND in
chorus from all sides of the House.
Tho question on the amendment was
put and it was carried with a rousing
rhepr