The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-21

Of locating an armor plate plant and appro-
! priating 81, 000, ooG to begin the work wheu
| the report OF the board shall be approved
| by the Secretary.
1t was now nearly O'Clock. and the
managers of the bill and many members
especially on the Republican side. greatly
desired to dispose of the bill. Efforts were
made by members of the Committee on
Naval Affairs to secure an agreement TO
unit the discussion on the armor plate
plant paragraph to twenty minutes on
each side, nth point of order withheld
by Mr.. Dayton. But to such an agreement
the Democrats refused to acce9le
Mr.. Dayton then offered to hold the point
OF order fifty minutes, when Mr. Mahon
renewed IT. Some wrangling ensued. and
Mr' hahon offered to withdraw the point
/ II an agreement was reached TO vote on the
passage OF the bill at ) o'clock. But this
was not reached
Mr. Underwood. an advocate of the prop
osltfon TO build a Government armor plate
plant. got the floor. and said the sugges-
tion TO debate the matter fifty minutes was
to say that the House was TO be led like a
Dull with ring in its nose to the bar and
made to vote for the bill without knowl-
edge.
Mr. Dayton-In view of that statement
Mr., Chairman. l renew the point of order.
Mr. Underwood endeavored then TO Sc
cure an unlimited recognition to disclss
the point OF order. telling the Chair that
ne had no right to restrict a member in
the discussion of point of order
Inc Chairman-The determination of a
point of order is entirely within the con-
troll OF the Chair. If the gentleman desires
TO talk for ten minutes on the point of
order. the Chair will hear him.
Mr.. Underwood-The matter cannot nron-
eriy be presented in that time. and
appeal from the decision of the Chair
Ih- Shairman-The gentleman appeals
from decision of the Chair regarding
recognition; the appeal is not entertained
Inc point of order was then sustained,
as being new legislation. From the de-
cision Mr.. Underwood appealed and pro-
ceeded at some length to argue the appeal.
He was several times called TO order by
Mr. Hepburn. and finally amid some ex-
ci,ement, was required by the Chair. under
the rule invoked by Mr. Hepburn to take
MS seat. In the mean time, Mr.. Bartlett
moved That Mr.. Underwood be permitted to
proceed under the rules. When ne had
taken his seat, however Mr.. Hepburn NOV
ed to lay the appeal on the table which
was ruled out of order.
Mr.. Dalzell moved that debate be closed.
An uproar ensued, which finally ended by
Chairman Payne putting Mr. Bartlett's
motion to the committee and IL was car
rfed by vote of 81 to 10 and Mr. Under
wood resumed.
In few moments he was again called to
order. and taking his seat, Mr. DaIzeH
again moved that debate be closed 1t was
agreed 70 this time by vote of So to S.
Mr. Nandiver made a point OF order
against the price proposed in the bill to
be paid for armor-s545 a ton-that it was
a change Of eyicfino lou u-h; oh a.
price at $500. and therefore out of order.
After long discussion of the point of |
order, Chairman Payne ruled that the pro- |
vision in the Naval bill of 1899. restrict |
ing the cost of armor plate to $500 ton, !,
was not merely limitation upon that ap- |
but a declaration by Congress |
OF its intent that armor plate should be
bought at no greater price than $500 a
ton The provision in the pending bill
increasing the cost to S545 a ton, Mr..
Payne said, was therefore a change of ex-
sting law.
Regarding this matter Mr.. Wheeler of
Kentucky, member of the Committee on
Naval Affairs. stated the position of his
colleagues on the committee and the
minority on the floor. They would agree
% pay $545 ton for armor rather than
hat the vessels now on the stocks should
'ot there for want of armor not willingly. |
o the gentleman in charge of the bill that
reasonable time were permitted for de-
bate on the armor plate provision so that |
he question of building a Government !
'lant might be brought before the House. |
10 point of order would be made against
hat provision Of the bill. But the milor-
ty believing 1t had been unfairly dealt
With. felt compelled to act as it had done.
they wanted, as representatives of the peo-
lie, an opportunity to vote on the question
II building an armor plate plant
On point of order made by Mr. Van
liver, the next paragraph went out of the
ill. This was to repeal the restriction
arried in the bill for the current year
gainst contracting for the construction of
he hull of any vessel until a contract had
cen made for the armor.
The bill was then reported to the House
nd Mr.. Underwood who had led the oppo-
ition during the afternoon. manifested his
attention to delay, If not to prevent. the
assage of the bill yesterday He demanded
separate vote on each of the various
mendments made by the committee. and
n the first vote made a point of no
uorum. The Speaker counted ia members
the House-'not a quorum
Mr.. Underworld move that the House
ijourn.
Republican cries in opposition were |
card, and Mr. Foss made the point that
lie motion was dilatory.
Speaker Henderson-The Chair is not en-
rely clear as to the dilatory character of
lie motion, but will submit it to the House.
Mr.. Underwood took his seat with
i[istied smile. There was a large volume {
sound against the motion to adjourn and I
II. Underwood demanded the yeas and ]
avs. The vote resulted; Yeas 81. nays
Is, present IS.
A second vote on the first amendment re-
ilted: Yeas los, nays r. And again Mr. |
Underwood made the point that no quorum
as present. Over Republican protests and {
ssertions that the point was made for {
latory purposes. the Speaker again
united observing: I
Although the rollcall showed more than a
quorum present, members are very likely I
leave at this hour, and a quorum may /
I've disappeared" C
The count showed but 1874 members pres
t, and then realizing the hopelessness of t
,eping up the contest. Mr. Foss moved |
at the House adjourn until today, and it S
as agreed to at $50 o'clock L
PORTO RICAN LEGISLATION. 1