The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-05-05
THE SPIRIT
OF CONGRESS.

OF CONGRESS.
April 25.-Whether the President shall
order the construction of the battleShp
provided for in the Naval Appropriation
bill or wait until the war in the far East
demonstrates the comparative utility of the
big sea fighter and the torpedo-boat or sub
marine craft was Il question raised in the
Senate yesterday by Mr.. Hale tMe.D. on
the adoption of the conference report. 1t
was developed that the language of the
bill was permiSsiye. and that the President
and Secretary of the Navy could defer ac-
ton If they deem it advisable. Mr. Hale
declared that IL he were Secretary Of the
Navy he should not dare to go on now and
commit the Government to the building of
an immense battleship, for it would not
surprise him if events of the Russian-Jap-
anese war demonstrated that the $50, OOO-
NW paid for big battleships were a bad
investment for this Government. Several
Senators counseled delay until the question
of the best craft for sea fighting had been
brought to an issue.
Mr.. Bacon discussed trusts. replying to
the recent speech Of Mr.. Dolliver. He de-
voted the greater portion TO conditions
ducts to be sold abroad for less price
than American consumers are required to
pay.
The Military Academy bill, the last of
the general appropriation measures, was
laid before the Senate, and was under
consideration at the hour when memorial
services for the late Representative
Thompson (Ala.) were begun.
The House passed a large number of
bills, including the Alaska Delegate BILL
The bill to authorize the construction of q
lighthouse and fog signal station at Dia-
mond Shoals, n. c.. occasioned a lengthy
debate, it finally being passed without di-
vision.
An objection to request by Mr.. eros
venor for leave to print brought mild
protest from him, which aroused Mr..
Games CTenn.), who charged that Mr..
GrOsvenOr had printed everything in the
Record about President Roosevelt which
the President didn't do.
April 26.-The Senate passed the Mill
tary Academy appropriation bill, the last
of the supply measures. The amendments
suggested by the Committee on Military
Affairs for reorganization Of the Medical
and Ordnance Departments of the Army
and for the establishment of a number of
camp sites were declared to be out of or
der, and none of them were retained. These
amendments were discussed at length be-
fore being disposed Of.
Mr.. Bacon concluded his tariff speech
begun Monday.
The "heavyweights" had another bout
in the House, with Messrs. Dalzell and
Cochran as the cOmbatants. The speeches
were renewal Of the previous Saturdays
debate, but were more personal in their
character. AS on Saturday, the speakers
were greeted with v0ciferOus applause by
their respective colleagues, and the bitter
ness of party feeling ran high. Mr.. Dial
zell had Mr. Cochran on the rack for nearly
two hours. during which time he dealt
largely with that gentleman's political his
tory, which, he said, showed him to have
been consecutively a green hacker, sound
money man, and free silver man.
were renewal Of last Saturdays debate,
but were more personal in their character
As on Saturday, the speakers were greeted
with vociferous applause by their respec-
tive colleagues. and the bitterness Of party
feeling ran high. Mr.. Dalzell had Mr.
Cochran on the rack for nearly two hours,
during which time he dealt largely with
he said, showed him to have been con-
secutively green hacker, a sound money
man. and free silver man.
MIR. Cochran denied the accusation of
Mr.. Dalzell, whom he arraigned for max
ing statements which could not be substan-
tiated. If what Mr.. Dalzell had said were
true. he declared, he was unworthy Of
membership in the House. If not true, Mr..
DalZell was unworthy of such membership
The climax came when Mr.. Cochran Of
fered resolution providing for the ap-
pointment Of select committee of FIVE
members of the House, to investigate the
charge which had been made against him
by Mr.. DalZell.
The Speaker took the request of Mr.
Cochran for this special committee under
consideration.
April 27.-The attention of the Senate
was devoted to consideration of reports of
Conference Committees, set speeches, pas
sage of bills to which there was little or no
objection, and an executive session. The
session began at 10 o'clock in the morning
and continued until in the evening Final
conference reports on the Sundry Civil
General Deficiency, Post Office. and the
Military Academy appropriation bills were
agreed to practically without opposition.
Speeches were made by Mr.. Cullom on the
conduct of the foreign affairs by Presidents
Mckinley and Roosevelt, by Mr.. Teller on
the public land question, and by Mr. Nc
Laurin on the old age pension order and
trusts.
during the recess of the inquiry into the
right of Mr.. SmOot to his seat i'm the Sen
ate was favOrably considered during the
day.
In the presence of crowded galleries and
of almost full membership. Messrs. Lit
tlefeld (Me.) and Williams NIiss). in the
House made speeches intended for the
coming Presidential campaign. The two
speakers were wildly applauded by their
respective sides, but there was an absence
Of personalities such as characterized the
clash between Messrs. Dalzell and Cock
ran. Indeed, the best of humor prevailed
Mr. Lttletield continually tainted the
Democrats with the utterances of Mr..
Cochran, and by name called. on several of
the prominent members of that party in
the House to answer Eyes" or NO
whether they approved Mr.. Cockran's
tariff views, and whether they intended
going before the people on the issue of free
trade. He defended the protective tariff
system from every point of view. Mr. Will
Iiams, adopting the tactics of Mr.. Little
field, endeavored to force from the Repub-
leans and from Mr.. Littlefield in partic-
ular categorical answers to several ques-
tons which he deemed pertinent Mr. Lit