The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-25

| in a circle. and that when the Navy De-
partment was created the one man and
| the single bureau system was adopted.
This was found to be so bad that upon
| the reorganization of the department ii
was abandoned. True. he said, the num-
| Der of bureau chiefs sometimes led TO
| disagreements and discussions, but these
discussions were healthy for the service
Mr.. Rixey caused to be read by the
Clerk the recommendation by the secre-
tary OF the Navy that the bureaus OF
construction and repair. steam engineer
4 ing. and equipment be consolidated.
Under The sections on public works. Bu-
reau OF Ordnance. the following in rela-
ti"h to the Indian Head proving ground
was passed without comment:
Naval proving ground. Indian Head,
Nd one building for chroEoEraph and
record Office, Si000, one building for sur
| seon's Office and dispensary. and equip
m"nt Of same. S5,6Oo'
Mr.. Cannon raised point of order rs
new legislation against the paragraph au-
| thoriZing the erection at the naval OBJ
seryatory OF three houses and the furnish
inr of them quarters for observers at
a cost OF $4,000. Mr. Moody in the chair,
| oyerruled the point.
Mr.. Gaines interrupted to discuss the
armor plate question. He thought the re-
port OF the committee did not do justice
to Mr. Herbert. who. he said, when Secre-
tary of the Navy. was the first to suggest
S400 armor.
The item of 100000 for hydrographic
surveys went through with scarcely any
attention. In 1899 and 1900 its reading
was attended by violent controversies.
Mr.. Rixey. member of the Committee
on Naval Affairs. moved to strike out the
authorization of the battleships and two
armored cruisers. He said there was no
necessity for the legislation as already
a large number had been authorized and
we could wait a year before increasing
the number He approved the recommen-
dation of the Secretary of the Navy re-
garding additional torpedo boats. for they
could be used in patrolling the Philip
pines.
Mr. Wheeler-I thought you were op
posed TO the war in the Philippines.
Mr. Rixey-So l was, but being in it 1
favor its prosecution to a close.
Mr. Wheeler-Right or wrong?
Mr.. Rixey-I support the sentiment,
my country, may she always be right
but right or wrong, my country Zap
plause.l
Mr. Wheeier-For my country's safety
go with the gentleman. But when she
is fundamentally wrong. expressing few
naked sayages, l do not believe in sup
porting il.
Much attention was paid to the remarks
OF Mr. Cannon, Chairman of the Commit
tee en- Appropriations, upon Mr.. Rixey's
motion, in which he expressed the opinion
that the construction Of the navy had
proceeded far enough. Since the inausu-
ration OF the new navy under Secretary
Chandler. in 1888, he said. including the
cost Of the four ships authorized by the
pending bill. should it become a law,
there had been appropriated 1927 coo
for ships. To meet contracts already au-
thorized by law. SO, ,0o0.000 would be need
ed. and to meet contracts 10 be author
ized $50 Geo, coo.
Dir. Wheeler interrupted to ask Mr..
CarRO1s opinion regarding the cost of
the army, which he resented somewhat
impatiently. what light would that
throw on the subiect?" he shouted shak-
ing his finger at Mr.. Wheeler. The gen.
tleman seeks TO compare one arm of the
service with another. that side of the
house with this. The people don't care
three hurrahs in the hot place who IS en-
titled 10 the credit for the navy, nor who
is subject to blame.
For a sufficient navy. Mr.. Cannon said,
no man on the floor was more enthusiastic
than he; but when it was sufficient, that
was enough. We had got the Philippines,
MIR. Cannon went on to say and he be-
lieved we were going to keep them. We
had other possessions in the Pacific, and
in his opinion were likely to have more
within the next 100 years, by which time
he expected the United States would have
a total population of at least twice its
present eighty or more millions. so
we need 4 sufficient navy" he said, but
no lOre-whO does?"
Mr.. Rixey's amendment. on a division.
was defeated-4s TO 90.
Mr. VandiYer moved to amend by strik-
ing out of the building programme the
two armOred cruisers provided for He
supported his amendment with the usual
argument pleading for delay and begging
that the American people shall not give
way to the spirit of war. The amend
ment was defeated.