The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-08
And that It's Passage Will Cause a
Commercial Conflict Between
Britain and This Country.
ANNUAL PENSION BILL PASSED
ALSO A MEASURE PROVIDING TRAv-
Ell ALLOWANCES FOR SOLDIERS.
PostofHce Appropriation Bill Finally
Adopted by the House, and 9th
er Measures Discussed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. THE Senate be-
gan the day by passing the bill for the
payment of travel allowances on discharge
from the voluntary army to officers and
enlisted men of the Eleventh Cavalry and
Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Regi-
ments of infantry who entered the mill
tary service of the United States in the
Philippines and also a bill putting In
force in Indian Territory the laws of Ar
kansas relating to corporations. The pen
sion appropriation was then passed. after
Mr.. Gallinger had stated that 1900 names
had been placed on the pension rolls thus
far on account of the Spanish war at an
annual cost Of about $4,000.
Mr.. McLaurin. then opened the debate on
tho subsidy bill. advocating its passage
upon the theory that 1t would benefit the
cotton growing interests of the Southern
States.
Mr.. Mallory said, in reply to Mr.. Nc
I.aurin, that his opposition to the bill was
based upon the opinion that II would not
do what it professed to do in aiding Ameri-
car shipping.
Mr. Morgan took the floor to oppose the
pending bill, but first asked Mr.. Allison for
an estimate of the total appropriations for
the next USCdl year. MT. Allison Sstlu =
fair estimate would be s760,O0o,OOO.
Mr.. Hale thought the total would be
greater. 1.-The tide is rising all the time."
he said. $50 far we have not been able
to make any reductions but have found it
necessary to make constant additions, in
creasing the aggregate of last years ap-
propriations by many millions
Mr.. Cockrell also thought the tide was
rising rapidly. I'VE are getting into a
very current of expenditures" said he.
BILLION-DOLLAR SESSION.
"Yes," said Mr.. Hale. ''the tide is gain
ing rapidly and before we know it we viii
have a billon-dollar session instead Of the
billion-dollar Congresses, concerning which
we heard so much talk few years ago."
Mr.. Hale went on to say that the military
budget of the United States. including the
expenses Of the army and navy, and the
payment account of pensions, would
amount to $4O0,OO0OO0. nearly twice as
much,'' he said, las is paid by any Eu-
ropean country"
Mr.. Morgan referred more than once dur
ing his speech to the absence from the
chamber OF Republican senator's, and when
admonished by the chair that the official
reporters could not hear him he said; az
don't know why. This chamber should be
as quiet as the tomb. and It is almost as
empty" Mr.. Morgan criticised the meas
ure as unconstitutional. and predicted that
both the party and the men who should
sustain such a measure would be con-
demned by the judgment of posterity. He
urged that the measure be committed TO
the committee, to be recast, in order that
it's constitutional and other imperfections
might be corrected. He said it was now
teing considered, not on its merits, but as
a party measure
mot all the senator's on this side Of the
chamber" interrupted Mr.. Spooner. '.re-
gard it as party measure
az am glad to hear it." responded Mr..
Morgan.
"This is q measure brought to the atten-
ton Of the Senate by a committee of the
body" suggested Mr.. Allison. 'Tt is sub
ject to change and amendment. 1 quite
agree with tho senator from Wisconsin
(Spooner) A measure cannot become
party measure until we know what it is
AS it stands before US now ii is merely the
measure of the committee and is subject to
such amendment and change as the Senate
may determine" Discussing the ability OF
American shipbuilders to construct excel
lent ships, Mr.. Morgan expressed the opin-
ion that the American yards now, without
any assistance, were the best in the world.
HAS the senator any doubt" inquired
Mr.. Hale, that the naval vessels con-
structed during the past ten years for the
United States are the best in the world9'
mot the slightest" responded Mr.. Nor
gan.
do you not think" continued Mr.. Hale.
that If the naval ships built in our yards
were put to the test Of actual conflict they
would prove themselves to be the best ever
constructed"
'arhey have proved that" replied Mr.
Morgan.
.Yes. so far as they have been tested in
conflict" said Mr.. Hale, they have proved
IT."
SPOKE FOR FIVE HOURS.
Mr.. Morgan declared the bill would re-
suit in a commercial conflict between the
United States and Great Britain. in whica
the financial batteries Of the two countries
would be arrayed against each other. He
was inclined to think the United States
might be worstec in such a conflict because
of the immensely superior power OF Great
Britain
Mr.. Morgan spoke until 5 o'clock, his
speech having lasted FIVE hours. Then the
Senate, after a brief executive session.
passed bills relating to rights OF way
through certain parks, reservations and
the public lands; 10 pay the Lagrange Syn
odical College OF Lagrange. Tenn, s34. 800
for property taken during the civil war;
for the purchase of steam launch for
use at Galveston. Tex. AT $50 D. m. a
recess was taken.
When the Senate was called to order at