Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-16
Mr.. Foss Pays a Warm Tribute to
Chairman Boutelle.
bRMOR PLATE FACTORY DISCUSSED
Mr.. Cummings Protests Against
Delay on the Ships.
a STIR IN THE sen ATE

ing chairman of the naval committee, sug-
gested seven hours on a side.
Mr. Underwood (Ala-) and Mr.. Wheeler
Ky thought there should be some general
debate on the live topics raised in the bill |
when read for amendment. This was es-
pAcially true, Mr.. Underwood thought. re-
gardlng the question of armor plate. That |
question had been vexing Congress for sew
eral years, and it was important that 1t |
should be settled and settled right.
All efforts to secure agreement failed, |
and the House went into committee of the |
whole CAIr Payne of New York In the |
chair with an indefinite period for general |
debate ahead. Mr.. Foss9 made general |
preliminary speech
In opening, Mr.. Foss paid a tribute to Mr.. |
Boutelle tMe.), chairman of the committee, |
whose Illness has prevented him from at |
tending the services of the House since the |
Christmas holidays.
In presenting this BILL said Mr.. Foss
II realize that am doing the duty of him |
whom unfortunately illness has now for |
many weeks prevented from occupying his |
accustomed place on this floor. No man IN |
Congress today has a wider knowledge on |
the subject OF naval affairs than Charles |
Addison Boutelle. Applause.) Born with !
true naval spirit within him, his father
a shipmaster and himself but lad before
the mast. he early became conversant with
heval affairs and familiar with the seas.
Returning from a foreign voyage in the
pointed acting master in the United States
navy. He served in the North and South
Atlantic and the West Gulf squadron, took
part in the blockade of Charleston and Will
mington and was conspicuous in other
naval engagements. While an officer on the
Sassacus he won promotion for gallant
services. and he won promotion for gallant
conduct in engagement with the rebel
ironclad ram Albemarle and later in the
capture of Mobile and the surrender of the
confederate fleet No man fought with
greater bravery than he did in the conflict
of 1861 to 1865, and when he entered Con-
Eress 1t was natural that he should be ap-
pointed TO the important committee on
naval affairs just at that time when this
country was beginning to build up its new
navy. No man in all the years from that
time to this has been more active or de-
voted to the task of building up a navy
that would inspire confidence at home and
respect abroad amongst the nations of the
earth than Mr.. BoutelIe. (Applause)
He was chairman of the committee
naval affairs in the Fffty-firSt Fifty-fourth,
Fjfry-fifJh and this Congress, and as such
demonstrated his great ability and wise
craftsmanship in bringing the navy to that
point where it was able successfully to COM
bat The forces of Spain in our recent war.
Too much honor ard credit cannot be
given 10 him. l know that / voice the
unanimous expression upon both sides Of
tbs hall when l say that wish him a
speedy recovery and an early return. Cap
plauSeb Bereft Of his counsel and advice,
sppnsihilties suddenly thrust upon them
than the members Of the naval committee
with whom | have the honor to be an
humble associate: and today, as their repre-
sentative, in their behalf, L present to you
Ills naval appropriation bill. providing for
III" main tenanCe Of the naval establishment
for the coming fiscal year
The bill Mr.. Foss explained, carried a
total appropriation of St;1 300 600 the largest
hawai- appropriation bill ever reported to an
American Congress.
Powerful Navy Assures Peace.
After explaining the various items in the
bill Mr.. FOss said: We are building a
navy for peace: we are building It not to
provoke war but TO conserve International
concord: We are building 1t in order that
the nations may take warning that If
American honor is assailed American vaior
will defend
That nation which is armed and ready to
fight is the least likely to be called upon
t. do The best peace conference is a
strong and efficient navy. Sea power is
recognized the world the strength
OF great nation. We are building a navy
To maintain foreign policy; to defend
The Monroe doctrine and to guard the pro-
posed Nicaragua canal, which trust, will
n-car b. built unless the American navy
has the right. as it has the ability, to de-
fend il in time Of war. While protection
t. ourselves was the watchwOrd of the past
century commerce will be the watchword
to build own ships Of American ma
terial fashioned by American hands. but
a the same time We Will build. We have
been building recently. ships for Japan and
Russia. and in time, by reason Of the de-
creased supply of iron and steel in other
countries. We will be building the navies of
England, of France, of Germany and the
other great naval powers. Men will not
embark in commercial enterprises beyond
the seas unless they know that their own
country has the ability to protect them in
every port and harbor in the world and
when American merchantmen goes to
foreign ports she will go there backed If
necessity by an American man-of-war to
see TO il that abe has the rights and privi-
leges of the most favored nations. The
American navy Will thus play an import ant
part in securing our commercial suprem-
acy.
The American battle ship would also play
h said. a inconsiderable part in the
civilization Of the Filipnos.
The american schoOlma am with her
spelling book may enlighten the mind -
h said. the American missionary with his
53lble may soften the heart: the commercial
Traveller may teach them the laws of trade:
but they recognize no virtue unless ac-
r"Inpanied by force. and the American bat
III ship anchored IN the harbor Of Manila
will d" moro than anything else to teach
them that liberty Is not license but that
tru' liberty is liberty under law. respect for
order aud reverence for Justice"
trmor Plate Factory.
Mr.. F"ss said that, regarding armor TO,
all the ships. except the Maine. Wisconsin
and Missouri. the committee had concluded
to leave the whole question to the House
He said the committee deemed It unwist
to recommend the establishment of a gov
eminent armor-plate factory. He quoted
Admiral O'Neills opinion that such an es
Enlistment would cost S4.s12.0U0, and thai
he did not believe the government SHOULD
manufacture Its armur plate.
Mr.. FosS was beSieged with questions Oh
this subject by Mr.. Hopkins CIl), Mr.. I'm
uerwCot 'Ala-b and others.
Mt Underwood asked If Mr. Foss wouIo
permit the House To vote upon the dtrec
question Of establishing an armor-pIate fac
Tory. .NAo As'N
Mr. Foss evaded a direct replv
81 shall be moved largely" said he .st,
the considerations which arise when th
amendment Is presented N
The gentleman realizes observed NJ,
underwood. that such an amendment cal
be thrown out on point OF order
Mr.. Foss said the committee had bs.,
largely moved in deciding against IN,
building of ships In government yards h
the opinion OF Secretary Long that 70 49,,