The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-09
STATUS OF NAVAL CADETS.
SENATE RESTORES THE SIX YEARS
TERM of SERVICE.
Strikes Ont the Provision in the Ma
val Appropriation Bill as II Pass
ed the House Reducing Course 10
Four Years before Commission.

ovi1zl
WASHINGTON, May s.-The senate to-
day concluded consideration of the naval
appropriation bill, with the exception OF
that section relating TO armor and arr1a-
ment This went over until tomorrow,
when II will be considered in secret legis-
lative session ~4
During the morning hour a number OF
minor bills were passed. among them one
TO reimburse various collectors of internal
revenue for internal revenue stamps
charged against them, but not accounted
for. The debate on the naval bill was
practically confined TO the paragraph re-
lating to the commissioning of naval
cadets. The committee amendment, strik-
ing out the proposition in the house bill
which sought to commission the cadets at
the expiration of the four years term at
the naval academy, abolishing the prelim-
mary two years at sea, was carried, after
a warm debate. A
Survey of the Colorado.
Stewart presented a concurrent resolu-
ton directing the secretary of war to
have made a survey OF the Colorado river
from Eldorado canyon to the town OF
Riorville. 1t was passed.
Financial Condition of Indians.
A resolution offered by Thurston, call
ing upon the secretary OF the interior for
Information as to the financial affairs OF
the Santee and Sioux Indians Of Nebraska
was also passed.
Service of Naval Cadets.
Consideration was then resumed Of the
naval appropriation bill. the pending
question being the committee amendment
striking out the paragraphs In the house
bill relating to naval cadets and inserting
the following:
Wherever any naval cadet shall have
finished four years OF his Undergraduate
course Of six years, the succeeding APP
pointment may be made from his congress
sional district or at large. in accordance
with existing law"
Foraker vigorously opposed tho amend
ment to strike out the house provision.
He felt II was an injustice to the cadets to
wait two years after graduation before
they received their commissions.
In answer to q question by Lindsay.
Foraker said the navy was now short OF
officers. He believed that they ought to
Ss y:n te to ia ssr sTsdnn when they
General Debate on the Question.
Hale, In charge OF the bill, said there
were enough officers to man the vessels
Of the navy II so many were not engaged
In shore duty.
reject the committee amendment He
thought II would insure a steady and per-
manent enlargement OF the complement
Cafrery strongly opposed the amend
ment declaring there was now a short
age OF s97 officers In the navy.
1fliman. a member of the naval COM
mittee, supported the amendment. He
pointed to the immense responsibility de-
vovinR upon naval officers of the care
at sea OF great battleships and cruisers,
and he did not approve OF sending to sea
"greenhorns" In charge of property worth
millions OF dollars.
Foraker asked II the naval affairs com
mttee did not know that every naval Off
Ger who had spoken on the matter the
board OF visitors to the academy and the
superintendent OF the academy were in
favor Of the abolition Of the last two years
OF sea service.
Tilman said he was here 20 do his duty
as he saw II. and not In accordance with
the suggestions or opinions OF naval OFF,
GERS
In characteristic speech. Tiliman ar
raigned the navy department for having
declared, were doing little but drawing
their salaries.
Hale denied the proposition advanced by
ties on their two years cruise as Officers.
Chandler said congress must expect that
the advice received from the navy depart
ixement. OF an increase Of ships, OF officer.
and OF men. He was convinced. he said,
that the six years course ought not to De
abandoned, as. II It were, as years proceed
ed greater number of inferior officers
would creep into the navy.
Lindsay urged that experiences and the
advice OF all naval authorities were In
opposition to the proposed amendment, and
only the senate committee advocated the
adoption. He spoke briefly in opposition to
any change In the present scheme of ed
ucating our naval officers.
Hale, In charge of the bill. declared that
II was the best piece OF legislation he had
seen In years IT would absolutely prevent
a hump" In the naval list and by graft
ual and steady fow Increase the number OF
officers In the navy, every one of whom
would have had full six years course OF
preparation for their lifework The defeat
OF the amendment would. he feared give
the country land navy"
Grand Army Pension BiiI.
The house amendments to the Grand
Army OF the Republic pension bill were
agreed to without debate.
The debate on the pending naval bin was
closed by FORAKER In opposition to the
amendment and Chandler In favor OF II
Naval nm Amended.
The amendment striking out the houss
provision and inserting the senate com.
untseeS paragraph was agreed 10, ~ 10 u
The reading OF the bill was then resumed
and nearly completed When the anpena-
ments were reported relating TO armor aud
armament. the bill was laid aside for tho
day. Hale gave notice that he would call
II up Immediately after routine business
tomorrow.
A joint resolution was PASSED for the
appointment Of first ieutsnlnts 81 Volun-
teers In tho signal corps of the army
on motion ~ Ttllman. the senate then
ut $50. went into secret session that ne
misht explain why he desired the armor
plate question TO be considered In secret
session, 81.
AtSp m the senate adjourned.