The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-09
Armor and Armament Went Over
Until Today.
Will Then Be Consider
ed in Secret Session.
Debate Was Confined TO Naval
Cadet Commission.

washing ton, May s.-Ths Senate today
oe included consideration of the naval
appropriation bill with the exception Of
the section relating to armor and arma-
msnt. This went over until tom orrow
when 10 will be considered In secret ses-
sion. During the morning hour pum-
bar OF minor bilis ware passed. among
than one 20 reimburse various collectors
OF internai revenue for intersal rsvsnue
stamps charged against them bus not
accounted for. The debate on the naval
bill was practically confined to the para
arsph relating to the commissioning oil
naval cadets. The commistes's amend
msnt striking ont the propositioa In the
House bill which sought TO commission
the cadets at the expiration Of the four
years. term az the naval aosdem y. alol
ishing the preliminary two years Ut sea.
was carried after . warm debate.
Confederation was resumed OF the
naval appropriation bill. the pending
uestion being the oommittse's amend
msnts striking ont the paragraphs In
the House bill relating to naval cadets
and inserting the following:
whenever any naval cadet shall have
nnished four years OF his undergraduates
course OF ak years, the succeeding ap-
pointment may be made from his oon-
pressional district or as large. In aocor-
dance with existing law"
Mr.. Foraker OF Ohio. vigorously opposed
the amendment 10 strike out the House
provision. He felt that It WAS 40 injuE-
tice 10 the cadets to walt two years after
graduation before they received their
com m issions. In answer to a question
by Mr. Lindsay. Mr.. Foraker said the
navy was now she rs Of officers. He be-
l,eved that they ought to be given their
commissions when they were sent to
sea after graduation.
Mr.. Hale, In charge Of the bill. taid
there were enough officers to mar the
vessels of the navy, II 90 many Of them
were not engaged in shore duty. MIR.
Lodge believed 1t would be unwise to re-
iect the committees amendment. He
thought 10 would insure steady and
permanent enlargement Of the compile
ment Of naval officers. MIR. Gallery
strongly opposed he amendment, deolsr-
ing there was now shortage Of gu OH
GERS In the navy.
Mr.. 1ilImap, q member OF the navel
committee, supported the amendment.
He pointed out the immense response
biIity devolving upon naval Officers In
tie care at sea OF great battieships and
cruisers and be did not approve Of send
ing to sea "gresnhorns" in charge Of
property worth millions Of dollars. He
rraigned the navy department for hay
ing so many officers on shore duty who.
he declared, were dong little but. draw
their salarieP. -
Mr.. Hale denied q proposition whi,h
had besE advanced BY Mir. Foraker that
tbs cad. is performed the duties on their
two ysars' cruise Of junior commits Toned
| oflicsrs.
Mir. Chandler said Congress mutt ex-
pect that the advice received from the
ravy department would be'in the direc-
tion Of a2grandizsmsnt, Of an increase
of ships, of officers and of men. de was
convinced. he said, hat the six years
course ought not to bs abandoned for II II
were. as years progressed u greater num-
Der OF inferior officers would creep into
| the navy.
Mr.. Lindsay urged that experience and
the advice Of all naval authorities were
in opposition to the proposed amend
ment and only the Senate committee adj
vocate1 the adoption.
MIR. Stewart spoke in opposition to
any change in the present scheme of edu-
eating our naval oiiiosrs. Mr.. Hale In
charge OF the bill, declared that ths
amendment was the best piece of lsgis-
lation he had seen In many q year. 1t
would absolutely prevent a "hump" in
the naval list and by a gradual and steady
| fiow Increase the number OF officers In
the navy. everyone OF whom would have
had a full Fix years. course Of preparation
for their lifs's work. Tbs defeat Of the
amendment, would. he feared. give the
county "lapd navy"
Inc House amendments to the Grand
Army Of the Republic pension tiil were
agreed to without debate.
The debate ON the pending naval
amsndment was closed BY Mr.. Foraker.
in opposition to the amendment and Mr..