Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-02
IN THE SENATE.
Naval Appropriation Gill Passed-Price Of
Armor Fixed at $500 Per Ton.

iournment The naval appropriation bill
which consumed the time of the Senate
for several days was passed, this AFTER
noon. after less than hours of debate
In that time, however, 1t was amended
radically in one respect. The price to be
paid by the government for armor Plate
was fixed in the bill at $500 a ton, re-
duction of the amount fixed by the House
of $l45 a ton.
In addition the secretary of the navy
was authorized in the event of the refusal
of the armor plate COMPANIES to supply
armor at $500 ton, to proceed 20 the
construction of an armor factory TO cost
81, 5OO,O 900 and placing in the secretary
control s., 100000 with which to operate the
government plant.
The fight for these amendments was led
by Mr. Tillman, S. c.. who made char
acteristically sensational speech in sup
port of the propositions The Senate
adopted resolutions of regret at the death
of Lord Herschell and concluded the
days session by pronouncing euiogies
upon the late Representative Dngley of
Maine.
One of the first acts of the Senate
was the consideration Of the bill carry
ing $40, O00. 900 with which to pay Spain
for relinquishing the Philippines, in ac-
cordance with the treaty of Paris.
Allison, iowa. reported the measure
from the committee on appropriations.
and asked for its immediate considera-
ton.
The bill was laid before the Senate
and in half minute was passed with
out word of debate.
Cullom, H.. addressed the Senate up
on the bill creating a form of govern
ment for the territory of Hawaii. He
did not expect. he said. to secure the
passage of the bill at this session of
Congress.
Allen. Neb.. called up the resolution
of Vest in relation to the acquisition
of foreign territory by the United
States and delivered upon it his vale
dictory.
The following measures were passed:
Joint resolution constituting the act APP
proved June 81. 1890 entitled IAN act
granted pensions to soldiers and sail
ors who are incapacitated for the per-
formance of manual labor and provid-
ing for pensions to widows, minor
children and dependent PARENTS for
the allowance of certain claims report
ed by the accounting officers of treas
ury department. the claims being
known as the Fourth of July claims.
Tillman secured the adoption of
resolution authorizing the secretary of
way to loan the executive committee
of the United Confederate Veterans for
their reunion to be held in Charleston.
S. c.. May 10. 1899. 10000 cots. 10000
mattresses and 1000 tents.
Consideration of the naval appropri-
alton bill was then begun. the amend
ments of the committee being acted up
on as the measure waSread. The bill
as passed by the House carried $44.-
1888, which the Senate increased
81. 34S.33I.
Gray. Del. called attention to pro-
vision of the bill appropriating $1,000
900 for the purchase and manufacture
of smokeless powder. He deemed it a
policy of our people not to bring the
government into competition with pri,.
vate industry. He offered an amend
ment providing that not more than
$150,000 of the sum should be expended
in manufacture.
AApsC 'eAAu tiiC SoHilulttcc Ildu Detu as
sured by the department that the gov
eminent had no intention of using the
full appropriation for the manufacture
of powder. but probably not more than
$150,00O. However. he accepted the
amendment and it was agreed to.
Senators Frye. Elkins and White We're
appointed as conferees on the river and
harbor bill.
Amendments to the naval bill were
agreed to as follows: Authorizing the
secretary of the navy to contract for
two submarine boats of the Holland
type at cost of not to exceed s135 900
each; appropriating $4,000 for the pur-
chase of additional land for the Port
Royal naval station.
Hanna offered an amendment author
iZing the secretary of the navy to pur-
chase from the Gatham Torpedo Gun
Co, of Chicago, the gun equipment for
one or more of the harbor defence
monitors. subject to the usual inspec-
ton of the bureau of ordnance at a cost
not exceeding S250.O00 The secretary of
the navy was authorized to appoint
commission to report on a location for
a coaling station on the Pacific coast
south OF. San Francisco; to appoint a
1oard to consider the construction of
dry dock in the Columbia river; and
10 appoint similar board to consider
me desirability of constructing dry
.fcck at Key West or nearby waters
The controversy oyar tfP nrico ~