The free press. (Southern Pines, N.C.) 1898-19??, 1904-03-11
NATIONAL LAW MAKERS
What the Two Houses of Congress
Have Been Doing.
Seuate Passes Naval Bill.

and then proceeded TO the conslueld-
zion of the army bill. The principal
question debated in connection with
the naval bill was that the price and
method of supplying armor plate for
battleships, and it grew out of an
amendment suggested by Mr. Patter-
son providing for a government az
NOR plant. He ultimately withdrew
the amendment, but offered .iers
limiting the price OF armor and pro-
hibiting purchase from trusts, all OF
which were laid on the table. An
amendment to the naval bill proposed
by Mr.. Hale was agreed to, decreas-
ing the amount for the navy yard at
Charleston, S. c., from $656,500 to
$344 500. In speaking Of the contln-
ued growth of the navy, Mr.. Patterson
said the completion of the naval pro-
gram would place the United States
ahead of Germany and Russia In &C.
tual tonnage, and ahead Of France
and next to Great Britain in effective
fighting tonnage, land my judgment,
he continued, lis that American SEN
timent will not permit the United
States to fall behind in its naval
power any nation that it has passed.
Mr.. Patterson discussed the Phili-
ppine question, saying that while he
did not believe in holding the Philip
pines, he was of the opinion that the
majority of the people were against
him, and that therefore the day was
far distant when the people of that
archipelago would be given their free
dom.
MIR. Bacon did not accept the view
of Mr. Patterson as to the retention
OF the Philippines, saying that he
hoped the conscience of the Ameri-
can people would be aroused over the
injustice of the present situation.
Speaking to the armor plate ques.
ton, Mr.. Bacon said that this govern.
ment had utterly and abjectly surren-
dered to the armor makers, leaving
them to charge their own without eff
fort on its part to make ar1nor for It,
self.
The reading of the army bill had
not been concluded when the Senate
adjourned.
Postal Affairs in The House.
Postal affairs engrossed the atten-
ton OF the House Monday practically |
10 the exclusion of all else The sub |
ject was introduced by Mr. Overstreet, |
chairman Of the committee on post |
offices and post roads, who submitted |
the report of that committee on the |
Hay resolution calling for certain in |
formation regarding the use OF influ- |
erce by members of the house to Sc
cure increases in salaries, etc, for post
There was a full attendance
Of members on both sides Of the cham |
Der when Mr.. Overstreet stated that he |
had been directed by the unanimous |
committee to recommend that the resO- /
tuition be tabled and the information |
wanted accompanies the report. Minor
ty members including Messrs. Will
Jams, OF Mississippi, and Maddox, OF |
Georgia, urged that debate and vote on
he resolution should be deferred, as
hey had not had an opportunity to
cad the report, so an agreement was
cached to postpone further action
lutil Wednesday, ana 1000 copies OF
he report WGIC DluCltl pIlIlCu. i uoIS
will be three hours debate on the mo-
ion to table, and a formal amendment
viii be offered by the minority to pro-
Tide for a general investigation OF the
7ostoffice Department.
Mr.. Overstreet, in connection with
he report, said that in his opinion
here was not a single instance of any
efiection on the integrity Of any
When the printed reports
we're brought in later by a messenger,
members crowded around the door
Keepers desk to secure copies. and
BUSINESS was suspended temporarily
until all were supplied.
The postoffice appropriation bill was
hen taken up and Mr. Moon Demo-
rat, of TENNESSEE, the ranking minor
ty member of the postoffice commit
ee, arraigned the present system en-
loyed in the Postoffjce Department
nd made an appeal for a general i'll
estigation Of the affairs Of the De-
artment. Mr.. Cowherd Democrat, of
fissOuri, also a member Of the COM