Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1900-06-07
LIVELY SENATE SESSION.
India RELIEF and Armor Plate Cause
Hot Debate.

Hot Debate.
Washington, June AT the opcE-
ing of the session of the senate to-
day Mr.. Perkins, of California, pre-
sented petition from organizations
aud individuals in his state asking
congress to make an appropriation for
the relief of the furnishing people of
India, and he asked that it be re-
ferred to the committee on appropria-
tons. He was not, he says. in posses
sion of sufficient information to en-
ablc him to prepare a proper rcsolu-
tcn dealing with the question. In
1897 he asked for and procured a ship
to carry to India provisions donated
l.y the people of California, Oregon,
Washington. Nebraska. Kansas and
Iowa. The provisions aggregated
1000 tons. No official acknowledge
mcnt WAS ever received of that lona-
ton so far as he was aware. lie hest
tated now, therefore, to press the res
olut.on locking to the relief of the
people of India, lest the government
Of Great Britain might not look with
favor upon the action of congress in
sending aid to india unsolicited al
most. as it might not look with favor
on friendly intervention by this gov
ernment in the South African war.
The resolution brought from Mr..
Hale, of Maine, a bitter attack on
Great Britain. He demanded to know
what England was doing for her starv-
ing millions in India while pouring
out unlimited treasure to crush two
republics in South Africa.
The resolution was sent to the COM
mittee on appropriations.
From the conferees on the naval
appropriation bill Hale reported am
other disagreement upon the subject
Of armor plate, ocean surveys and the
course of study at the naval academy.
He said there was an absolute dcad-
lock between the conferrees of the two
houses and expressed desire that the
senators state their views freely i'm
order that the senate confcrrees might
have the benefit of their opinions and
suggestions. Thereupon several sen-
ators expressed themselves on tho bill.
Mr.. Tillman, of South Carolina, of
the conferrecs, declared he would
rather that the bill should fail than
that the senate should yield to the
house proposition.
Mr.. Hanna, of Ohio, member of the
committee on naval affairs. said that
since his advent into the senate he
had devoted considerable time to tho
study of the armor plate question.
lie was familiar with manufacturing
and had some knowledge of the armor
plat matter from personal investiga-
ton. lie was in favor of the con-
struction of a formidable navy as rap
idly as possible and was satisfied the
delay in the navy's building was due
to a great extent to the opposition of
two senators (Tillman and Chandler)
to the payment of a reasonable price
for armor. "'l'he responsibility for
this delay" said he, RESTS upon these
two senators, putting price on ar
NOR below that which it would he
manufactured for by any concern in
the country, and the senator from
South Carolina gave you the nnm,s
of his opposition when he said he
would rather see the bill fail than SEQ
any concessions made to the armor
company"
On a yea and nay vote G3 senators
voted to insist upon the senate armor
plate provision. and he naval bill was
sent back to conference. The military
academy appropriation bill was then
taken up.