Evening star., 1899-03-04

to the dictation of the House
The Senate then voted on MIR. Allisons
motion to recede from the remaining
amendments in dispute, and it was carried,
only three or four voices being heard in
the negative. That disposed of the sundry
civil bill and it will now go to the Presi-
dent.
The final conference report on the Dis
trict of Columbia appropriation bill was
agreed to without division.
On motion of Mr.. Hansbrough On. Dak)
the Senate then at Z o'clock went into
executive session.
AT o'clock the Senate resumed business
in 1egislat tive session. Soon afterward Mr..
Hale fMe.) presented the conference report
on the general deficiency bill, and the re-
port was agreed to without debate
Naval Bill Conference Report.
At s:35 m Mr.. Hale presented the final
conference report on the naval appropria-
ton bill and it was submitted to the Sem
ate. Mr., Hale made statement concern
ing its provisions.
Perhaps there was never an appropria-
ton bill concerning which the action of the
conferees were beset with more difficulties
than this BILL" said he. THE differences
between the two houses were radical.
Among all the difficulties with which we
were confronted, the provision inserted by
the Senate with respect to armor plate was
perhaps the most serious. 1t was, | may
say. almost impossible to arrive at any re-
provision for the payment of $500 a ton for
armor. which applied not only to the ships
authorized by this bill, but applied also to
all ships for which armor had not yet been
purchased.
'On the armor plant proposition, / am
free to say that if we build a large navy l
am more than ever impressed with the idea
that both branches of Congress must con-
sent to the construction of an armor plant
so that the government may have hold
upon the armor manufacturing companies.
Now the situation is just this: In the
House two votes have been taken upon this
question. and by both the House conferees
were supported. They were courteous, but
obdurate."
Mr. Hale then explained that the report
of the conference committee fixed the price
of arnor for the ships authorized by this
bill at $500 a ton, no contract for the hulls
to be made until contracts had been made
for the armor The number of battle ships,
armored cruisers and protected cruisers are
as fixed in the House bin. The Secretary
of the Navy is authorized to contract for
armOr for the ships provided for in the
naval appropriation bill of 1898 at $4OO
ton.
That" said Mr. Hale. 'is the meat of
the whole proposition. The report of agree
ment leaves out the provision for an armor
plant because we could get recognition
now from the House for such a proposition,
but the time is scarcely reached yet / am
frank to say that the result of the confer
ence does not suit anybody very well. 1t
does not suit me, but, MIR. President, it is
the best we could do"
Mr.. Butier-''WiH we conclude any con-
tracts for new war vessels under the pend
ing bill if 1t becomes a law?"
Mr.. HaIe-"No, 1 think not. believe we
shall do no more than get out the plans
and specifications for the authorized ships
and decide about turrets and the like OF
course the Senate conferees had to yield
something"
Mr.. Tillman-"But we seem to have yield
ed everything and the House nothing
Mr.. Hale-.'The Senate conferees cannot
settle this controversy alone"
Mr.. Tillman-"But the Senate can. We
can place on the House the responsibility
for an extra session 1 was never SO
strongly tempted in my life to say: This
bill shall not pass and become a law but
have had assurances from gentlemen on
this side of the chamber" waving his hand
toward the republican side, that they will
help US out at the next session and l am
willing to accept those assurances
Mr.. Butler denounced the proposition for
the construction of protected cruisers, say
ing they were of little or no account in
war.
Mr. Hale replied that the United States
needed large number of these cruisers, in
asmuch as it to be nation that runs
around the world with the sun. He &C.
clared that the cruisers were very useful as
they could steam farther and at less ex-
pense than battle ships, and four of them
could be built for what one battle ship
would cost.
report agreed TO.
After some further discussion the con-
ference report was agreed to without divi-
sion.
This was the last of the conference
agreements on the appropriation bills to
be acted upon by the Senate and its ac-
ceptance caused general sigh of relief.
The action did not, however, cause an I'M
mediate restoration of that harmony which
had been expected as result of the dis
posal of the supply measures.
Mr.. Pettus (Ala3 moved a. recess until
1870, which Mr.. Mason Qll.) antagonized.
Mr.. Mason desired to secure the printing
of the testimony taken in the investigation
of the bureau of engraving and printing,
and when Mr.. Pettus insisted upon his mo-
ton, intimated that there was some motive
to suppress the testimony. He called for
the ayes and noes on the motion, and 1t
looked at one time as if quorum would
not be secured. The senators, however
struggled in one by one from the committee
rooms, and at last the requisite number
was secured and the recess ordered by a
vote of 26 to 21.
"Cieanfng Up."
AS the senators disappeared from the
chamber to find hasty breakfast or per-
haps a brief nap the floor cleaners made
their appearance. They were needed. There
was an immense accumulation of rubbish
the result of twenty-five hours of continu-
Gus session, and the brief interim was all
too brief to afford the sweepers opportunity
for thorough work. Still, when they con-
cluded. the chamber presented q somewhat
more slightly appearance from the galleries.
When the Senate reconvened at 1920 the
Senate chamber had been ''spruced up" and
appeared quite tidy. A beautiful spray of
flowers, consisting of Mareschal Nefll roses
and carnations, which decorated Mr. Cor
mans desk, added appreciabIy to the an
| pearance of the hall. The galleries were BY
| this time crowded, and the business moved
| along with as much propriety and dignity
| OF bearing as on ordinary occa sions
| Mr.. Mason renewed his motion for prjnt
! ing the testimony taken in the investigation
| of the bureau of engraving and printing
The motion prevailed.
| Mr.. Fairbanks moved the consideration
| OF the bill extending the immgra ton laws
| TO the Hawaiian Islands.
Mr. Pettus objected on behalf of his coll
/ league. Mr.. Morgan. The bill was, how
| ever, taken up, and Mr.. Pettigrew spoke
| upon 1t. lie asserted that since the annex
alton of the islands 10000 Asiatics had been
| imported into the islands. This labor was
| slave labor, and the conditions We're such
| as TO demand an immediate change.
Mr.. Perkins also urged action at the pres
| ent session, declaring that the contract