Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-14
57th CONGRESS.
CONTINUED from page ~

| tiago were due to the fact that we
were contending with an effete and de-
caying nation and that our strength
far outmatched Spain in those contests.
Rixey, Va, also spoke for the bill, most
of his time being given to an argument
for government construction of war
ships.
| The conference report on the omnibus
/ claims bill was rejected on the grounds
that claims not considered by either
branch of Congress had been inserted
in the measure by the conferees, and
the measure was returned to confer
| ence.
The conference report on the omni-
bus claims bill occupied considerable
time at the opening of the House. I'm
derwood Ala. made the point of order
against the report that the conferees
| had introduced matter not authorized
by either branch of Congress and eX-
tended discussion followed on the
| point of order.
| In making his ruling Speaker Hen
| derson said that there must be no
abuse of the prerogatives of a con-
| ference committee that would open
| the dangerous pathway for the ur-
| surption of the powers of Congress
| by a committee. He held that three
| entirely new items had been intro
duced in the omnibus claims measure
and he therefore sustained the point
of order This had the effect of re-
jecting the entire conference report.
Mahon, Pa, chairman of the COM
mittee having charge of the measure,
promptly appealed from the decision
of the Chair and Underwood moved
to table the appeal. Coming from the
Republican side of the chamber an APP
peal from the decision of the Chair
caused some surprise.
On being appealed to by his asso-
ciates, Mahon Withdrew his appeal
from the Speakers decision.
The matter continued under discus
sion for some time in connection with
the return of the omnibus bill to con-
ference.
The omnibus claims bill was sent
back to conference but the debate was
protracted by Underwood's motion in
structing the confereeS not to accept
the Senate amendment covering the
findings of the SelfridGe naval board
for balances due on vessels built during
the Civil war. The motion to instruct
prevailed on a rising vote, 81 to "a
whereupon a yea and nay vote was
taken. The vote resulted 113 to 40 in
favor of the instruction to the con-
ferees
The naval appropriation bill was then
taken up, Foss, H.. chairman of the
naval committee, explaining it in de-
tail. The measure is one of the mos
important of the supply bills and the
last of the regular appropriation bills
for the House to pass on save the gem
eraI deficiency. 1t carries total of
81, $50, 1856. and includes provision for
two new battleships, two armOred cruis-
crs and two gunbOats, one of the large
ships to be built in government navy
!. yard.
Foss. Ill. chairman of the naval COM
mlttee. said that while we have 1873
ships built and building, yet compare
: lively few of them have any real fight
ing value. Most of those now building
are what are termed peace boats. Con-
tinuing. Foss said:
Il know that there are some who
think that because we whipped Spain
, in fight of 100 days and lost only =
single life, we could wipe out the fleets
|
impression that the American navy is
strong and powerful. Yes, it is. SO far
as 1t goes. | believe we have better
officers. better men and that our ships.
shin for ship, are better than those Of
any navy in the world. But do not let
US delude ourselves with the thought
that because we whipped a little nation
which had only a little navy. that
la Il, l. ,,,.~ tIx,.r
comes along.
1T would have been to our everlast-
ing shame IL our two fleets. at Manila
and Santiago, had not sunk both of the
Spanish fleets. Why? Because they
, were superior, they had greater ton
mage. each one of them have state
ment showing the relative comparison
of the two fleets at the battle of Ma
Mia and the battle of Santiago, and
while | would not for a single moment
disparaSe the bravery and the courage
of our American officers and men and
the value of our ships. yet if there is
any lesson to be learned from the
SpanishAmerican war, it is that su-
pe-ior men. superior ships, both in ton
: mage. in armament and in armor, su-
perior gunnery. superior marksman-
ship. will win in the future as they
, have won in the past" Applause)
Foss. while supporting the proposed
, plan of building one ship in a govern
ment yard, pointed out the difficulties
to be encountered in additional cost of
. government taxation.
Rixey Va, strongly supported the
plan of government taxation of war
ships.
The Senate bill making additional ap-
preparations for the Martinique suf-
ferers was referred to the appropriation
|, committee. At +. NJ, the House adj
journed.