The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-22

Washington, Feb 21.-Formal discus
sion of the Hull-Hawley army reor"
ganization bill was begun in the senate
this afternoon. Mir. Hawley and Mr.
Warren, Republicans, supported the
measure and Mr.. Mitchell and Mr.
Coclirell Democrats, opposed it, while
Mr Proctor, Republican, addressed the
senate in favor Of some amendments
which he had proposed to the bill. All
the speakers ere members of the COM
mittoo ON military affairs. Mr. Cock
rolrs speech, though brief was particu-
lorly notable. as he spoke definitely for
tn" opposition to the army bill. He de-
cllred practically in so many words
that tine Hull-Iiawley bill could not
become law at this session. he ana
those who stood with him were will
irg to give the president all the money
and every man he d,sircG. but they
vs. y."o determined that 10 great standing
Amy should Doe fastened uuon the
country without fun and free discus
sion
III postofEcc appropriation bin was
PASSED today Mr. Butler 81. - and
M" pottigroW, :. d. having ronciud-
ed thuir Surr"hcs
NJ. QUAY Gal. chairman Of tho COM
mittoc uu public buildings and grounds.
presented - batch of reports favorable
in the erection cf public buildings in
various parts Of the country. These
r"rorts hroucrt Nh Allen CNeh) to his
feet with an inquiry as to why certain
bills which Hld been before the com
mittce for year or more had not been
acted upon lie said: This reporting
of public buildings j. like the expert
Ehunlng of cards. The favored bills
an. placod ON the calendar in the or
der i'm which the committee desires
their passage. | make this distinct
charge there has been no meeting of
the committee ON public buildings and
grounds at which these bills were au-
thorizod to be reported. If any meet
ing Of the committee has been held
it was secret meeting. l make this
statement simply to call the attention
of the senate and country to the matter
and not because | expect any change in
the methods Of the committee
Mr.. Allen continued to charge that 4
none but a favored few could gain con-
,idoration by the combination.
~ want to say To the senator" re.
ricd Mr Quay omphatically, that his
statement that there is any cOmbina-
tiou is unwarranted and false 1t is
not true in any sense"
House Proceedings.
Tho house reached the last page of
the naval hill today and adjourned
with Il point Of order pending against
provision fixing the price of armor
plate at $545 a ton. The provision IN
the bill went out on a point of order
on the ground that it was not limited
to the armor to be- purchased with the
appropriation in the bill. whereupon it
was modified to meet this objection
and against it the point of order pend
ing at adjournment was raised. Much
of the time today was occupied in de-
batting the amendment offered by Mr..
Mudd lRep.. MdD appropriating $72O,
0o0 tu complete the three buildings au-
thori2od To be erected at the naval
academy at Annapolis. The naval
committee, with the exception of Mr..
cummings. strenuously opposed pro-
cceding with the work of rehabitating
the naval academy until COmprehen-
sIvr plans had been decided upon, but
tire house over-ruled the committee
ard adopted the amendmcnt-75 to 80.
Two important provisions in the par
"Traph fur the construction of new
ships went out on points of order
one provided that no more than two
bal'laship#, two armored and two pro-
trrted cruisers should be built at any
ono ward and the other provided that
p" hid for the construction of ships
should - entertained from any firm
Of company which had not at the time
of bidding an adequate plant.