The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-04-24

WASHINGTON, April 11.-With little
debate of consequence the Senate to-
day passed the Pacific cable bill,
measure appropriating 100000 for the
construction of a cable between San
Francisco and Honolulu. The bill was
unanimously reported by the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs, and that it was
passed without serious objection is
regarded as a compliment to the com
mittee. The bill as reported to the Sen
ate is a substitute for the measure as
originally introduced by Hale. 1t car
ries an appropriation of $4,000 600 for the
project.
The bill provides for cable from San
Francisco to Honolulu, the work to be
done under the supervision of the Navy
Department, which has made surveys
and determined the practicability of the
route. The Navy Department may use
any of it's ships that can be adapted to
the task of laying the cable, and if it
needs other ships it may charter them.
In addition to this it provides that the
Secretary of the Navy in his discretion
If he finds it not practicable to lay the
cable by the force of his own depart
ment, may contract under specifica-
lions and due advertisement, for the
construction, laying and equipment of
the cable. All materials and appurte-
nances shall be of special quality.
Section 5 provides that the cable,
wires and other Instruments materials,
appliances and appurtenances neces-
sary in the work of laying the cable
shall be of American manufacture, pro-
vided the same can be procured at
cost not exceeding - per cent above
what the same can be procured for In
foreign markets.
Hale explained that the bill provided
for the building of the cable from San
| Francisco to Honolulu. This, he said,
would be in the nature of an expert
ment, and upon the result of 1t would
depend in a measure the future course
of the Government. 1t might be deemed
desirable in the light of experiment to
start the Philippine cable from some
point like Seattle and proceed to Japan
by the northern route.
| Pettus moved to strike out section 3
of the bill. why" he inquired, should
the Government consent to be taxed on
it's own business for the benefit of GER
tain manufacturers? It's an absurdity.
Even if you do rob the people by your
taxes you ought not to rob the Govern
ment."
Tillman of South Carolina. as a mem
| Der of the Naval Committee, defended
the bill, in the report of which all the
| Democratic, members of the committee
| had Joined. While he was not. he said,
a protectionist. or in favor of subsidies,
| he regarded the provision in section of
| this bill in the interest of the people, as
| it would be a sort of nursing bottle"
! to the industries interested. He deemed
| it a desirable experiment in Govern
ment ownership and control and eX-
pressed the opinion that it might prove
a good thing for Alabama.
up to this date" said Pettus. ala
| bama will not accept your bride. l
| have seen one great state near mine
accept the sugar bottle and l don't like
| it."
Tillman disclaimed any effort to bride
either Senator Pettus or the State of
Alabama but he was anxious to in
crease the struggling iron and steel in
dustries of Alabama and he hoped 70
see the day when a Government armor-
plate factory would be located in Ala
| bama.
| Alabama is not struggling at ALL"
retorted Pettus with spirit. Alabama
is master Of the situation both as to
| iron and coal. But the great grandchil-
dren of the Senator (Tillman) will be
here in the Senate before any part of
the armOr plates are manufactured in
Alabama. This thing is wrong and the
| Senator knows it,"
Pettus' amendment was defeated, II
to SO, and the bill passed without di-
vision.