Mr. WASHB RNE, ofIllino1s. Mr. Chairman, when I moved to strike out this clause, I stated that one of my reasons was for the purpose of Obtaining information as to the facts in relation to the case which would justify this appropriation, and I must confess that I have not been satisfied with the information which I have received.” I might say, perhaps, that if anything could satisfy me With regard to the propriety of an appropriation it would be the assent of my distinguished friendfrom Ohio, [Mr. whomSummon] I know so well, and with whom I traine in the last Congress in this matter, and I might say also the information furnished b the distinguished Gentfrom NewHampshire [Mr. hnsrox;] yet I am not clear, from all the information I have received, that this appropriation ought to be made. Now, sir, the grounds which have been set forth here in the committee do not seem to tally very well with the grounds which are alleged by the gentleman who has been so often noted, the chief of the Bureau of Yards and ocks. His communication upon this subject accompanies the report of the SecyNav, and I call the attention of the committee to what Admiral Smith says in relation to this matter. He does not put it upon the ground of the immense amount which the Gentfrom Pennsylvania says will be saved if this appropriation is made. Here is what he says: "At the Portsmouth navyyard we have 5 new ships of war under construction, one large ship recently launched and a number of other vesselsan chored in the streamfor want of wharf accommodation. he area of this yard is only about. 60 acres and most of it is already occupied by buildings. I have. therefore, estimated for the purchase of the whole of SeavoysIsland adjacent to the yard.” I ask the attention of the committee to what Admiral Smith says next: “The purchaseof this island will furnish an additional waterpower and ample s usefor the erection of all the workshops and store house. that will be required to make this a 1stclassyard.” He does not say that this purchase is necessary for present pnrposes, but he wants it for the purpose of maing it a 1stclass yard. “Besides, ” he says, and I callthe attention of the committee to the alternative “Besides. the bridge constructedacross the water betweenScaveysIsland and the navyyard. authorized by the act of Congress. with a conditional free useofn way through the yard for the useof the residentsof the island. hascausedan increase of inhab itants on the island which will continue to enhance the value of the ground. Thisinerense of population isa source of great inconvenience and embarrassment to the Government by the frequent use of the way thronah the yard and over the Government bridge to Kittery. so that I recommend the purchaseof the whole island itit can be obtained on reasonable terms. In case such acquisition cnnnot be made on reasonable terms. I recommendprohibition. as provided by said not of Congrcs. at the discretion of the Dept. of travel o every kind fromsaid island to and through the navyyard. Now, it seems to me that we can conform to the recommendation of Admiral Smith in this regard, and prohibit this travel, and so attain substantially the same result without making this appropriation of $105,000. I agree to much that has been said by the chair man of the ComNavAffrs. He has paid a glowmg tribute to the Navy, in which we all a co. I claim to have as great a pride in the avy as the honorable chairman of the ComNavAffrs has, and I will do everything necessa to uphold the honor and glory of the Navy. utI am not willing, under the pressure of such arguments here to vote away the money of my constituents nniess there lsa necessity for it. Sir, while the committee report this appropriation of $105,000 for the purchase of Sea veys Island, I find, by looking through the bill. that they also recommend an appropriation of $416,000 for the Norfolk navyyard, which the rebels burned and $226,000, in round numbers, for the ensacolo navyyard. While we have decreased our Navy from 700 vessels to 100 vessels, and the navy yards which we have now were ample for all. purposes when we had 700 vessels, it is proposed to make this additional appropriation and an appropriation of $642,000 for additional navyyards. Now, sir, there are other considerations which ought not to be lost sight of. There is, to my mind, no satisfactory information With regard to the value of this property, and the question was well put by the distinguished gentleman ifsrolamndNewYork, [Mr. DAVis] what would this be worth were it not situated as it is in regard to the Kittery navyyard? There is no in orrnation in regard to the value of thatland which satisfies my own mind in relation to it and let me say here, in regard to the recommendations of Depts and of committees, about which so much has been said, that while they are entitled to all due consideration, they do not control me. Ifwe are to take the recommendations of the Depts, whatis the use of all this formula oflegislation 3 We are here, each man actin for himself upon his own responsibility, an judging for himself upon the facts. I see no reason to change my 1st impression, that this amount ought not to be appropriated.