The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-10
FOR THE SIX-YEAR TERM
The Senate Refuses TO Shorten the
Course at Annapolis.
The Clause the Subject of Extensive
Debate During Confederation of
the Naval Appropriation Biii-Pro-
visions for New Warships - Cues
tion of Land for the Navy Yard.

The Senate yesterday devoted four
| hours to the discussion of the Naval APP
| preparation bill. The clause for the four
| year term for cadets was defeated by
vote of 40 to II, and the law remains as
at present.
| Mr.. Mcmillan offered an amendment to
the bill to appropriate s52,5OO for certain
pieces OF land adjoining the United States
navy yard in this city on the west side.
| Mr.. Mcmillan presented letter from Mr..
| NJ. /. Weller of this city, the owner OF the
| land to be purchased, to the Secretary OF
| ths Navy, and a telegram from the latter
saying he had an option on the land for
| So. 800. This was part of the land de-
sired for the extension of the navy yard
! westwardly.
Mr.. Butler objected to the amendment
on the ground that the matter was so i'm
portant that it should have gone before
the Committee OF Naval Affairs. which
could recommend a plan for acquiring
all the land the Government needed west
of the navy yard. instead of buying only
a portion of it. He did not believe there
! was any immediate need for the land.
Mr.. Gallinger made general protest
against buying land without very careful
examination into it's value. and wanted to
know who had fixed the price of this land.
Mr.. Mcmillan said the Secretary of the
Navy had fixed the price and recommend
ed the purchase. He had not brought it
before the Committee on Naval Affairs
because of his illness. which had curtailed
the time he had had to devote to com
mittee work. The letter of Secretary Long
however, was addressed 20 the committee.
Mr.. Gallinger said he had objected to
the purchase of land from land syndicates
or others in this city at excessive prices
Last year an attempt was made to seil
land adjoining the insane asylum TO the
Government for 233a per acre. He I'M
| derstood that an option was held for
$50, 900 on land it was sought to sell TO
the Government for s210, ,0eO, which amount
was recommended by the Committee on
Appropriations. 1t was now proposed to
sell that same land to the Government for
$1,000 an acre, and he supposed il it was
not purchased this year the price would
be reduced next year. He said he had pro-
tested against buying the Union Building
for $3.50, 900, when he showed that such a
building could be built for 5000, 600 and the
land purchased for 81 a foot.
Mr.. Hale Chairman of the Naval Com
mittee, when appealed to, said he knew OF
nothing pressing for the purchase of the
land adjoining the navy yard.
Mr.. Mcmillan said the Government had
practically taken possession OF this lard
for two years.
Mr. Butler made point of order against
the amendment, which was sustained by
the Chair, on the ground that it had not
been considered by the Committee on
Naval Affairs.
The amendment reducing the cadet term
from six years to four years was debated
for three hours. Mr. Hale, as Chairman
of the committee. objected to the short
term, which he called "the hump" The
six years course was advocated by SEN
ators Chandler, Bacon, Gallirger. Lodge,
Jones Of Arkansas, and Hoar, and the four
years course by Senators Butler, Scott,
Money, and Gallery. Finally the vote was
taken at o'clock, and the six years
course prevailed-yeas 40. nays j.
The next committee amendment was one
authorizing the promotion to the grade
of ensign of boatswain's gunners, or war
rant machinists not exceeding six in any
one calendar year, where the vacancies
are unified by graduates Of the Naval
Academy. Men so promoted must be un-
der thirtyfive years of age and must have
served three years as warrant officers. 1t
was agreed to.
The next committee amendments were
also agreed to. They authorize the presi-
dent to appoint to the Naval Academy
three acting cadets temporarily appointed
during the war with Spain and who served
in that war. and ten naval cadets in ad-
dition to the ten whom he can now ap
point.
The next committee amendment was 10
strike out the House provision for the in
crease OF the navy-tTo unsheathed bat
tleships and tive unsheathed armored
cruisers-and TO substitute for it pro-
vision directing the Secretary OF the Navy
TO prepare plans and specifications for
two seagoing battieships and two armGred
cruisers. II was agreed to without dis
cussion.
The next committee amendment WAS also
agreed to, directing a contract for three
submarine boats of the Holland type
MIR. Butler antagonized the paragraph
apprcpriating 81 eco coo for armor plate
and said that if appropriations were made
for the plate already contracted for, the
amount would be s16.564.55o. which was
at least s., ,OO0. 900 more than ought to be
paid. allowing a fair profit to the armor
plate trust.
Mr. Tillman took the floor to speak on
| the same point, but at mis- suggestion lne
bill went over till tomorrow.
The Agricultural Appropriation bill was
reported by Mr.. Proctor. who gave notice
that he would ask action upon 1t next
| Tuesday.
| The remainder of the days session was
| spent in the delivery of eulogies on the
| late Representative Harmer OF Pennsyl-
| vania They were made by Senators Pen
rose Rawlirs. Hsnsbrough, Chandler,
| Money, Mason. and Carter
! At the conclusion OF the addresses the
| Senate adjourned until Monday.