The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-07
Most OF the Time Spent in Acrimo-
NOUS WrangIing Over the
Armor-PIate Question.
HANNA AT FRONT AGAIN
RETURNED DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL
SHOT WITH INTEREST.
Compromise Finally Aceepted-Disa-
greement ON Another Point-Re-
cess Taken Until To-Day.

l WASHINGTON, June b.-lnaDillty 10
reach an agreement upon the naval appro-
| priaton bill forced the Senate to abandon
| the adoption OF the House resolution for
| final adjournment to-day. The armor plate
question. which for five years has been
| thorn in the side of Congress, upset the
calculations of the Senate leaders and their
well-laid plans went ,awry.
| II was a day of strife and turmoil in the
| Senate Early the conferees on the naval
bill reported a disagreement and the Sen
1 ate was told plainly that the House would
not consent to the amendment providing
| for armor plate factory to be operated
by the government. A compromise propo-
| sition was presented by Mr.. Penrose, and
after hours of debate was finally adopted
by vote of 80 to So. The discussion of
| the proposition developed an unusual Bit
terness of feeling, and charges of robbery
and political corruption were hurled about
| the chamber with an abandon which. If
they had not fallen from the lips of grave
senator's, would have been regarded as
| reckless. Little worse ever was heard in
| the heat of political campaign. Three
o'clock, the hour agreed for final adjourn
| ment, was passed, and still the Senate
wrestled with the armor plate question
| When the Penrose proposition finally was
agreed to it was supposed the way was
clear. but late tonight another disagree
ment was reported on the naval bill, and
the Senate took an adjournment until IL
| O'Clock tomorrow.
SCENES AT NIGHT.
| The evening session presented a brilliant
scene the galleries being thronged with
n
| were immensely entertained. as Senators
Carter. of Montana; Mason, of Illinois,
Turner of Washington. and Money, of
Mississippi, kept the Senate on edge with
rafting political speeches.
The President went to the Capitol short
ly after noon to-day, in order to expedite
the work pertaining to the close of the
session. He was accompanied by all the
members of his Cabinet, and they occupied
the Presidents room in the Senate wing.
Immediately upon their arrival the Pres
ident and his advisors took up the exami-
nation of bills. The President also received
calls from a number of Senators. Among
the bills which the President signed were
the general deficiency and Military Acad-
envy bills and the Alaskan code bill.
| Seven hours after the close OF last night s
session, at 10 a. m, the Senate reconvened
to prepare for final adjournment. A score
of senators only were present, but the
chamber rapidly filled.
The usual routine business of the Senate
practically was abandoned. Only two or
three new bills or resolutions were pre-
scented. Mr.. Carter secured the passage of
| a bill providing for the increase to 1915, 600
of the limit of cost for the public building
| at Helena, Mont.
recess was then taken to await the pre-
sentation of the conference reports. When
the Senate reconvened at 1890 Mr.. Allison
| reported from the committee appropria-
tions the House concurrent resolution pro-
| yfding for final adjournment at D. m to-
| day. The committee had made no amend
ment. II was permitted temporarily to lie
| on the table.
| Mr.. Hale presented report the naval
| appropriation bill. 1t was a disagreement
upon all questions that have been in dis
| pute for three four days. Mr. Hale ex-
| planned that the armor plate question was
the great stumbling block TO agreement. No
price had been agreed on by the conferees,
because the House conferees believed the
price should be left to the discretion Of the
secretary of the navy.
PENROSE'S PROPOSITION.
Mr. Penrose then offered the following
| proposition: THAT the secretary of the
| navy is hereby authorized to procure by
| contract armor of the best quality for any
| or all vessels above referred to, provided
| such contracts be made at price which is
now, in his judgment, reasonable and equit-
| able but in case he is unable to make con-
tracts for armor under the above conditions
he is hereby authorized and directed to pro-
, cure a site for and erect thereon factory
for the manufacture of armor and the sum
OF $4.000,000 is hereby appropriated toward
! the erection of said factory
Mr. Butler said what he wanted was a
| government armor plate plant, and he
| would be willing TO pay almost any price
, for armor that is needed now. provided the
construction of an armor plant by the gov
| eminent was made mandatory.
Mr.. Plat, of Connecticut favored the
| proposition offered by Mr.. Penrose. Under
| the proposition of Mr.. Penrose he was sat-
: isfied the government would get its armor
| for $445 per ton.
| Mr. Perkins. a member of the naval com
mittee, supported the original committee
) proposition. He did not approve of leaving
, | the matter to the discretion of the secre-
| tary of the navy
Mr.. Tillman attacked the amendment
offered by Mr.. Penrose. THE chairman
| of the naval committee lHalel. said he
has declared that the government is be
2 ing robbed, and that the armor trust ha:
, | a knife at the governments throat. AnC
now it is proposed to let them cut th'
| governments throat We are face to fac,
| with a scandal as enormous as any in oul
! history. second not even to the great Credi
5 Mobilier scandal"
2 II resent that statement" interjected Mr.
Penrose vehemently. and with evident feel
ing 81 resent the statement that there il
| any suspicion Of scandal in this or an,
| amendment which 1 propose
II am making no personal illusions,
| replied Mr.. Tillman 81 am simply stating
| facts that are indisputable. The influence
behind the House in this matter are tn
| shipbuilders and the armor manufactur
| ers."
Mr.. Hale challenged the last statement
q DENOUNCED BY TELLER.
Mr.. Teller denounced the amendment o
Mr.. Penrose "disgraceful proposition
2 las the senator from New Hampshir
: said" continued Mr.. Teller. cit would b
| cowardly and craven on the part OF Con
gress to surrender legislative authority an
: | prerogative to the executive branch of tn
T government. 1t seems TO me there ma,
: | be a tinge of corruption. This is tim
for plain talk. The American people be
lieve and believe, that there is a grea
n | political combine behind this proposition
proposition of Mr. Penrose should not b
| adopted without a thorough understandin
n | by the American people that they wer
: being robbed
: THE bitterness OF the Senator from
!, | Colorado" said Mr.. Hanna in reply to MI
3 | Teller 'excites only my sympathy. TIL
/: aninlus of the matter is determination o.
h | the part of few men TO have a govern
n ment armor factory built. TO this en-
h | everything else Is to be sacrificed"
> | In response TO a suggestion Mr.. Hams
said: 81 want TO see this armor questio