The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-08
CONGRESS IN A WHIRL
TRYING To SETTLE THE REMAINING
APPROPRIATION BILLS.
DEADLOCK BETWEEN HOUSES
Over One Provision of the Naval APP
preparation Bill-This Causes Con-
tinuance of the session Until Today.
House Accepts Senate's Compromise
on the Armor Plate Clause-Some
Exciting scenes I'm Both Houses Mr..
Lentz BLOCKS Legislation.

Washington, June 6.-The sessions
of both houses Of congress lasted prac-
ticaIly all night, but lacked the excite
ing scenes of former closing nights.
At 2:3O this mornin, the senate went
into executive session after which a
recess was taken until 10 o'clock.
The house during the early hours
of the morning was without quorum
until $3.50 o'clock. a recess was then
taken until o'clock this morning.
SENATE.
When the senate re-cOnvened at 10
o'clock this morning two or three mi
nor bills were passed and a recess
then taken to wait conference reports.
Senator Hale presented a conference
report on the naval appropriation BILL
1t was a disagreement upon all ques-
tions that have been indispute for
three of four days.
Senator Penrose offered the follow
ing proposition:
THAT the secretary of the navy IS
hereby authorized to procure by con-
tract armor of the best quality for any
yided such contracts can be made at
a price which in his judgment is rea-
sOnable and equitable, but in case ne
is unable to make contracts for armor
under the above conditions, he IS here
by authorized and directed TO procure
"a site for and TO erect thereon FAC
tory for the manufacture of armor and
the sum of $4,000, 900 is hereby appro-
plated toward the erection of said fac
tory"
Senator Butler, insisted that what
he wanted was d government armor
plant and he would be willing TO pay
almost any price for armor that IS
needed now provided that the con-
struction of an armor plant by the
government were mandatory.
Senator Tillman attacked the amend
ment. The chairman of the naval
committee (Hale), said he, has de-
clared that the government is being
robbed and that the armor trust has
a knife at the governments throat and
now it is proposed to let them cut the
governments throat. We are face 10
-1face with a scandal as Infamous as
any in our history, second not even
to the great Credit Mobilier scandal.
Senator Penrose interjected with evil
dent feeling: Il resent the statement
that there is any suspicion OF scandal
in this or any amendment which
propose"
Il am making no personal allusions,
replied Senator Tillman. Il am simply
stating facts that are indiSputable
The influences behind the house in this
matter are the shipbuilders and the
armor manufacturers"
Senator Hale challenged the last
statement, saying he did not believe
any such influences were behind either
the house or the senate.
Senator Hanna said the few men de-
termined to have a government armol
factory were willing TO sacrifice every
thing else and he wanted the armol
question taken out of the Legislative
branch of the government in order tc
get ii out of politics. He advocated
the Penrose proposition as a fair com
promise.
Senator Elkins, of West Virginia
and Senator Quarles, of Wisconsin
pooh-poohed the idea of scandal IL
leaving the armor purchase question
to the secretary of the navy.
Senator Money, of MISSISSIPPI, saiC
the senate could not afford to abrogat'
it's duties TO any one and Senator Dan
iel of Virginia, urged the senate t
stand up to the fight which had beer
on for five years He said that under
the present circumstances, We mus
buy our armor plate from a notoriou!
and universally recognized combine
or build our own plant.
Why" asked Senator Daniel, "di(
the armor plate manufacturers decline
to tell the cost of the production o
armor plate when asked by the senate
committee?"
Senator Penrose asked permission t
reply to this inquiry and began by re
ferring to Senator Daniels speech a.
a reckless statement and demagogi
appeal
Senator Daniel resented this charac
terization and refused to yield farther
At 2:30 o'clock Senator Hale askei
for a vote upon the pending PROPOSE
ton but Senator Butler addressed tn
ithe senate when it was on the verg
of victory.
The PenroSe proposition was thel
voted upon and agreed to SO to 35, ant
the senate agreed TO a further confer
snce.
The conference report on the sundr.
civil bill was agreed to, the senate re
ceding from the one hitherto disputed
minor item.
A resolution, called up by Senate
Pettigrew, to discharge the committe
on education and labor from furthe
consideration of the eight-hour bill
was laid on the tables to %.
At 4:4O O'Clock the senate took a re
cess until $50 o'clock p. p.
The senate re-convened at 6:3
o'clock o. m, and after being in ses
sion fifty-five minutes without accom-
plishing anything, took recess unit
S:25 %. m. when Senator Hale announc
ed that the conferees on the naval ap
preparation had agreed to final report
On motion of Senator Hale the sen
ate at 1880 o'clock adjourned until
o'clock tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
When the house reassembled at
o'clock a. m, the conference report OF
the general deficiency bill, showing
complete agreement, was agreed to.
Mr.. Cannon submitted the confer
ence report on the sundry civil bill
showing the item carrying the claims