The news & observer., 1901-01-25
ISN'T IT TIME TO HALT 3?
Cannon Thinks it Near. The House
Completes the Bill.
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL
The Day Devoted by The S nate to Discussing
This Measure. Petlgrew Attacks 0aw. S
Commission. Depew TO Speak
on Shipping Bill.
on Shipping Bill.
(By the Associated PressD


Washington, JAM 24.-The House con-
tinued the consideration of the Naval APP
preparation Bill and practically complet-
ed it before adjournment One small mat
ter went over until tomorrow. Mr.. Can
non, Chairman of the Appropriation Com
mittee, made a notable statement to the
effect that when the ships now authorized
and to be authorized had been completed
1920, 900 900 would have been spent upon
the new navy and that in his opinion the
time to stop will then have arrived.
Mr. w. A. Smith (Mich.), brought up
the question of the abrogation of the
Treaty of 1917 prohibiting the mainten-
ance of war vessels upon the Great Lakes.
Mr.. Smith said that treaty was an in
hibition upon the ship building and com
mercial interests of the lakes against
which he protested.
Mr.. Mann Qlls.l, opposed the abroga-
tiOn of the treaty. 1t would mean that
England could build great ships there
which would threaten the cities on the
American side and the whole commerce
of the lakes.
Mr.. Boutell Qlls.). favored modification,
mainly to permit one small vessel on
the upper lakes and one on the lower.
Mr. Foss in charge of the bill said the
matter was one for the State Depart
ment to consider.
The paragraph appropriating 100000
for photographic surveys was passed with
merely an inquiry from Mr.. Cannon as TO
how much of the appropriations of last
year for photographic surveys had been
expended. Mr.. Foss replied that $75 ,000
had been used.
Mr.. Rixey (Va.), a Democratic mem
Der of the Naval Committee, opposed the
provision for increase of the navy on
the ground that the recent contracts let
would for the present absorb the capabil-
tiles of our ship yards He had a sharp
dispute with Mr.. Wheeler (Ky). Il am
not only in favor of my country said
Mr. Rixey, when it is right. but / am
in favor of it right or wrong" (Applause).
Il am not in favor of following my
country" rplied Mr.. Wheeler, where to
follow it means to endorse the subjection
of people and the crushing of their
liberties" (Applause).
Mr.. Rixey said that if the building Of
the navy was rushed along at an inordi-
nate rate in few years new inventions
might make many of cur new ships obso-
lete
Mr.. Wheeler contended that the Demo-
cratic party always had been in favor
of strong navy.
"Is the gentleman aware" interposed
Mr.. Foss, that William ]. Bryan on the
floor Of this Hous Elm 1890 opposed the
further construction of shfps?"
William Jennings Bryan" rtorted Mr..
Wheeler, "is a great, pure and able
Democrat, but he is not the Democratic
party. Men who recognize as their party
shibboleth and handspring of action the
will of one man, Marcus Aurelious Han
ma, cannot understand how Democrats can
recognize a great and distinguished citi-
zen and leader and at the same time
differ from him on questions of policy"
Mr. Rixey offered an amendment to
strike out the entire provision for the
increase of the navy.
Mr.. Cannon, Chairman of the Appro-
priations Committee, said he was in fa-
vor of sufficient navy. But when it
was sufficient he was in favor of stop
ping Since 1883 when the new navy
began tt be built, $227 900, 900 had been
appropri ted for ships Including the pro-
vision in the bll) but not including $685.
600 still due on contracts.
He did not think the United States
needed the largest navy in the world.
We would not be called upon to fight
England. Her American possessions along
our Northern border constituted a bond
of peace. But we need a strong navy.
We had the Philippines. And we were
going to keep them. We could not get
rid of them if we desired to.
with $753 900, 900 of appropriations, in
Guiding provision for the sinking fund
now in sight for the coming fiscal year,
said he, I'VE should inquire diligently
into all these matters and not go be-
yond that which is necessary for the pro-
lection, glory and honor of the country.
(Applause).
Mr.. Foss defended the action of the
committee. The Rixey amendment was
lost on rising vote, 46 to 80.
Amendments striking out the provis
ions for construction of the two ar
mored cruisers and providing that the
ships might he built in the Government
navy yards were lost. At $50 the House
adjourned