The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-07
OR MAY LEAVE IT ALONE
Tillman Makes Fierce Assault on the
Amendment.
DAY OF. BITTER STRUGGLE IN CONGRESS
Failure to Agree on the Ocean Survey Item in
The Naval Bill Delays Adjournment.
Stormy Scenes Witnessed in
Both Chambers.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, June 6.-Inabiity to reach
ton Bill forced the Senate to abandon
the adoption of the House resolution for
final adjournment today.
The armor plate question, which, for
five years has been a thorn in the sides
Congress, upset the calculations of the
Senate leaders and their well-laid plans
went awry.
1t was day of strife and turmoil in
the Senate. Early the conferess on the
Naval Bill reported disagreement, and
the Senate was told plainly that the
House would not agree to the amendment
providing for an armor plate factory to
be operated by the Government.
The discussion of the Penrose compro-
mise proposition, which was adopted, de-
veloped an unusual bitterness of feeling,
and charges of robbery and political cor
ruption were hurled about the chamber
with an abandon, which if they had not
fallen from the lips of grave Senators
would have been regarded as reckless,
Little worse ever was heard in the heat
Of a political campaign
The sessions of both houses OF
Congress lasted practically all night
but lacked the exciting scenes
of former closing nights At ESQ
this morning the Senate went into execu-
tive session after which a recess was
taken until 10 o'clock.
When the Senate reconvened two or
three minor bills were passed and re-
cess then taken to await conference re-
ports.
Mr. Hale presented a conference re-
port on the Naval Appropriation Bill 1t
was disagreement upon all questions
that have been in dispute for three or
four days.
Mr.. Penrose offered the following prop
osition:
THAT the Secretary of the Navy is
hereby authorized to procure by contract
arinor of the best quality for any or all
vessels above referred to, provided such
contracts can be made at a price which
in his Judgment is reasonable and equit-
able but in case he is unable to make
contracts for armor under the above con-
ditions, he is hereby authorized and di-
rected to procure site for and to erect
thereon a factory for the manufacture
Of armor and the sum of $4,000000 is
hereby appropriated toward the erection
of said factory"
Mr.. Butler insisted that what he want
cd was Government armor plant and
he would be willing to pay almost any
price for armor that is needed now pro-
vided that the construction of an or
NOR plant by the Government were man
datory.
Mr.. Tillman attacked the amendment.
THE Chairman of the Naval Commit
tee" (Hale), said he, has declared that
the Government is being robbed and that
the armor trust has knife at the Gov
crnment's throat and now it is proposed
to let them cut the Governments throat.
We are face to face with scandal as
infamous as any in our history second
not even to the great Credit Mobllier
scandal
Mr.. Penrose interjected with evident
feeling: Il resent the statement that
there is any suspicion of scandal in this
or any amendment which / propose
81 am making no personal illusions.
replied Mr.. Tllman. Il am simply stating