The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 18, 1870.

neglected sex. Their attempts to furnish a sound
education at a moderate price for boys of the
middle-class have been so successful that
it has been decided to establish a
school for girls. Accommodation will be provided foi
400. The fees will be the same as for boys—one
guinea a quarter. The boys' school has been an un-
mistakable triumph, the places being always unequal
to the demand for them. It remains to be seen
whether this provision for girls will be similarly
valued. These schools are designed for the children
of clerks and others in similar circumstances.

THE AMERICAN MERCANTILE MARINE.

(From the Anglo-American Times.)

The Committee on American Navigation has
issued its report, and a motion has been made in
Congress for the distribution of 10,000 copies. The
report was presented to the House by Mr. LI-Nee
of Maine, and is, as anticipated, a most valuable
document. The principle recommended is to sub-
sidise American steamers employed in the foreign
trade, and to encourage by removing every impedi-
ment in the way of shipbuilding the construction
of the vessels in the United States. It is consi-
dered impolitic to admit foreign built vessels, as it
violates the settled custom of the country since the
foundation of the Government; encourages foreign
labour, shipbuilding, and manufactures at the ex-
pense of their own; draws money from the country
to be spentabroad, foreigners getting the profits, and
in many ways militates against American interests.
To admit foreign-built vessels on payment of a
duty would be impracticable, for to the extent of
the duty it would operate in favour of the foreign
shipowner with whom the American has to com-
pete, and, if admitted at all, it ought to be done
in a way to place American shipowners on an
equality with their foreign competitors. The ad-
mission of foreign vessels at all to American regis-
try would tend to deprive the country of the me-
chanical skill necessary to build its navy in time
of war, unless during peace it kept up expensive
Government works or a costly naval establishment.
" It would be humiliating, indeed, to every Ame-
rican to see Great Britain employed and paid by
us to rebuild the shipping she so effectively aided
to destroy during the rebellion. if we adopt a
policy that will admit of such results, that nation,
could well afford to pay our most extravagant de-
mands upon her for damages inflicted by the
cruisers which from her ports made war upon our
commerce during the rebellion." The remedies
proposed are as follow :—Firstly, thp remission of
the duties imposed upon the raw material entering
into the construction of vessels, limiting the amount
to the minimum of duties per ton collected on the
materials used, and where vessels are built of Ameri-
can iron remitting an amount per ton equivalent to the
duties on a like amount of imported raw materials ;
secondly, that all stores to be used by vessels sailing
to foreign ports may be taken in bond free of duty ;
thirdly, in order to encourage investment in shipping
and extend aid to ships already built that have been
sailed during and since the rebellion to great disad-
vantage, to allow all sailing vessels and steamers
running to the British North American Provinces
annually a subsidy of $1 50c. per ton, steamers to
European ports $4 per ton, and to all other steamers
running to foreign ports $3 per ton. The com-
mittee also recommend that every State and Fede-
ral tax upon American shipping be removed, also
all harbour fees and port charges of every kind,
and that the only tax they be subjected to shall be
an annual rate of 30c. per ton, to be paid into the
Federal Treasury, in order that foreign shipping
may be subjected to tonnage dues in American
ports. The commercial treaties would require, were
American vessels relieved from tonnage dues, that
foreign vessels should be relieved also. We be-
lieve the committee to be in error ; and we say
this with every feeling of respect, for the report
is characterized by a breadth of information which
shows at least unwearied diligence. But, as the
London Times says, it is characterized also by
ill-feeling towards England ; though animosity
does not pervade every line of the document, to use
the words of that newspaper. Indeed, the surprise
is that so little animosity should have been exhi-
bited, not that so much, considering how common is
the belief in America that the decline in the Acueti-
can mercantile marine in a measure due to England's
direct action against American commerce during
the civil war. That this is a mistaken notion we
have laboured to prove ; still it is not the less gene-
rally entertained, and it would be strange, indeed,
if in dealing with the subject upon which Americans
are so sure that the report should not express that
feeling. It has been drawn out in the interests of
shipbuilders, and is more directed to revive ship-
building in America than to revive the mercantile
marine of the country. In this, as we consider,
lies the error, for we hold that shipbuilding is the
creation of the carrying trade, not the carrying
trade the creation of shipbuilding. Let the de-
mand for the ships arise, and Americans will sooner
or later find means to supply that demand. It cer-
tainly will take time, but we are dealing with a
failing industry, yearly growing worse, and what
we have to do is, in the first place, to stop the de-
cline, and then revive the trade, if that can be done,
by legislative enactment. The answer to this is
—that the carrying trade already exists, but it
has been diverted into the hands of foreigners ;
we propose to restore it by subsidising American
ships, so as to equalize, at the expense of the coun-
try, whatever advantages foreigners may possess.
This is to create an artificial industry which a change
in the sentiment of the country or in the opinion of
Congress would abolish to the ruin of all concerned,
and that such a change will come may be predicted
with as much certainty as anything can be, for it will
be mulcting the West for the benefit of the Atlantic
seaports. The liberal and enlightened policy of Eng-
lan i is repectedly referred to and recommended to
the attention of Congress, a recommendation which
we will here accept. There was a time, not long
ago, when idiotic English Navigation Laws sent
sailors to sea in ships with the lines of a box. They
appeared to destroy all notion in the national mind
of what a ship should be ; and these tubs went on
their nine months' voyage to Calcutta, weeks being
to them as days, as they pounded into foam the
high seas, leaving a track which would have fur-
nished a sufficient trail to an Indian six months after-
wards. It was then that American ingenuity came
on the stage, and worked a complete revolution.
Englishmen, still of middle age, can remember with
what wonder and admiration they gazed at the new
Yankee ships called clippers, which passed the Bri-
tish boxes, leaving a mere ripple, though the others
were like rocks at sea, the waves breaking white
all around. The rise in the American carrying
trade was- marvellous, and if -Englishmen had
adopted the policy the committee now proposes,
that trade might permanently have passed into Ame-
rican hands ; but instead, English shipowners went
to America for these very clippers, and in a short
time the inventors and builders possessed no advan-
tage, for as many were owned in Liverpool as in
New York, and British shipbuilders sct to work on
the models supplied. Iron and the ecrew by de-
grees replaced wood and sail; and America, be-
coming involved in her great civil war, failed to
note and reorganise on the change. This, aided by
the conflict, threw the advantage altogether into
English hands, and the burden of taxation to pay
the expenses of that war his established the pre-
sent superiority. America holds, then, a somewhat
similar position to what England held on the In-
troduction of the clippers) and if she follows Eng-

and's "wise and enlightenod etampleii3 sho will

permit her merchants and shipowners to get their
vessels in the best and cheapest mart. A few years

more, and there may be Rniihet dhatige, Amcriean

iron mines may giv6 to.some American ports 11ladi
terial for shipbuilding as cheap as on the Clyde,
and the expenses of labour may again grow mole-
rate, when American yards will be enable.l to supply

• •
American shipowners with the vessels they require,
again gradually substituting American for foreign
bottoms. The trade will thus be preserved, the ma-
chinery kept in operation; and theehipbuilding must

necessarily follow, as conditions become more fa-

vourable. The report discusses the subject as if the
advantage in buying waft all on the side of the menu.-

facturer. Now, nothing could be more erroneous ;
for, on the contrary, the advantage would be
with the purchaser, and the nation which supplied
its rival with a competing marine would be the one
that suffered, the error lying in confounding the in-
dividual with the national advantage. Soit was in the
case of the clippers, for England then gained by
buying American ships, the nation that manufac-
tured them thereby losing their superiority. In
all this class of legislation particular interests are
apt to be preferred to the national interest, and a
dash.of sentiment can always be thrown in to sea-
son the report, as is the case with that before us,
while Great Britain is effectually used as a foil.
Bat we feel confident thA the artificial creation of
another branch of industry will but add to the
bones of contention, and make the smash all the
greater, on the inauguration iu America of a new
fiscal policy.

CONGRESS.

SXNATE.—Feb. 18.—Mr. Wilson introduced a
bill making it illegal to import immigrants under
labour contracts. Mr. Conkling introduced a bill
directing the Postmaster-General to contract with
the North American Steam Navigation Cqmpany
for transportation of mails, which was referred.
On motion of Mr. Sherman, his Funding Bill was
made the special order for Wednesday next. A bill
was passed providing fur an examiner of claims in
the State Department. Mr. Morrill, of Maine, in-
troduced a bill directing that estimates of appro-
priations be made through the Secretary of the Trea-
sury,and prescribing methods of keeping accounts of
appropriations. The International Exhibition Bill
was discussed, pending which the Senate went into
Executive
.Session and then adjourned.—Feb. 19.
Resolutions of the Virginian Legislature were pre-
sented, asking the removal of political disabilities
from Virginians. The House Bill to pay expenses
of witnesses in
.the cadetship investigation was con-
curred in. Mr. Wilson introduced a bill for the
disposal of useless military reservations, and Mr.
Morrill, one for the covering of unexpended appro.-
priations into the Treasury. On the motion of Mr.
Thurman, the President was asked for information
as to enforcement of internal revenue taxes, con-
trary to the treaty with the Cherokeee nation. A
bill granting land in aid of a railroad and telegraph
line from Portland to Astoria and McMinnsville, in
Oregon, came up, and after discussion, was passed,
a motion to strike out the appropriations of land
having received only three affirmative votes--
those of Messrs. Casserly, Davis, and Saulsbury.
Mr. 'Thurman, who opposed the bill, did not
vote, being "paired off." Feb. 21.—Mr. Wilson
introduced a joint resolution declaring the rati-
fication of the Fifteenth Amendment, which was
referred. Mr. Patterson, from the Retrench-
ment Committee, reported a bill to abolish
the Freedmen's Bureau and provide for the Bu-
reau of Education. Mr. Chandler offered a
resolution of inquiry in regard to secret correspon-
dence in relation to the case of Fitz John Porter,
and made some remarks in support of the action of
the court-martial in that case. Mr. Wilson spoke
in favour of a re-opening of the case, after which
Mr. Chandler withdrew
.his resolution. Bills were
passed authorizing the erection of a bridge across
the Delaware at Philadelphia ; providing for better
security of passengers on steam vessels, and re-
organizing the marine hospital service. The New
York and Washington Air Line Railroad Bill was
taken up, pending which the Senate adjourned.
Feb. 22.—Mr. Howard, from the Pacific Railroad
Committee, reported a joint resolution, authorizing
the Northern Pacific Railroad to issue mortgage
bonds. Mr. Wilson, from the Military Committee,
reported the bill to dispose of useless reservations.
Mr. Schurz, from the Retrenchment Committee,
reported his Civil Service Bill, introduced in De-
cember last. Mr. Stewart presented the credentials
of Messrs. Farrow and Whitely as Senators elect
from Georgia, and moved their reference to the
Judiciary Committee. After some discussion he
withdrew them temporarily, and Mr. Conkling,
from the Committee on Revision. of Law, re-
ported a resolution recommending the indefinite
postponement of the resolution of the New York
Legislature, rescinding the ratifica'icn of the Fif-
teenth Amendment. Without acting upon the re-
solution the Senate adjourned. I•eb. 23.—Mr.
Howard, from the Committee on Territories, re-
ported a bill providing a Territorial Government
for Alaska. On the motion of Mr. Spencer, the
Naval and Military Committees were directed to
report on the expediency of abolishing the Naval
Academy at Annapolis and Militery Academy at
West Point, and establishment of a system which
will make a military or naval education free to all
who desire it at their own expense. Mr. Wilson
presented the credentials of a R. Revels, Senator
elect from Mississippi. After some discussion they
were received by the Senate, whereupon Mr.
Stockton, of New Jersey, offered a resolution to
refer them to the Judiciary Committee, with in-
structions to inquire and report as to citizen-
ship, &c., of the candidate. Pending discussion
on the resolution the Senate adjourned. Feb.
24.—The House Amendment to the Political Dis-
ability Bill was concurred in. On the motion of
Mr. Saulsbury the President was asked for in-
formation as to the authority by which General
AmeS .acted as Provisional Governor of Mis-
si sippi. Mr. Williams offered a resolution, which
was adopted without a division, declaring that, in
the opinion of the Senate, the existing volume of
currency ought not to be increased. Messrs. Fen-
ton, of New York, and Patterson, of New Hamp-
shire, spoke in favour of funding the debt at a low
rate of interest, and reducing the taxation. Mr.
Stockton's resolution, referring the credentials o
Senator-elect Revels, of Mississippi, to the Judi-
ciary Committee, was considered, pending which
the Senate adjourned.
liOlfsE OF -REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 18.-11 r.
Wood introduced a bill to regulate ocean telegra-
phic communication with foreign countries. The
Legislative Appropriation Bill was considered. A
bill was passed appropriating $3,000 to pay ex-
penses of the investigation as to the sale of cadet-
Ships. A motion by Mr. Brooks to print 10,000
copies of the report of the Committee on American
Navigation wan referred. Feb. 19—The Legisla-
tive Appropriations Isere eoneidered. Mr. M'Crary
introduced a bill giving a stay of execution on judg-
ments for debts contracted prior to the passage of
the Legal-Tender Ant, for from one to four years,
according to the amount, unless the plaintiffs con-
sent to receive payment in currency. A rule was
reported by Mr. Garfield, and adopted, making the
Election Committee of the Forty-first Congress
consist of fifteen members, and authorising the
chairman to assign each contested case to a sub.
committee of three, who may report directly to
the House. After speechmaking in Committee
of the Whole, the House adjourned. Feb. 21—
Bills were introduced by Mr. Bingham to enforce
the right of coloured persons to vote in the Several
States ; by Mr. Johnson, to legalize decrees of dis
charge in insolvency by State Courts since the pa,s-
ing of the Bankrupt Act ; by Mr. Burchard, to re-
lieve political disabilities in States ratifying the
Stiffra;e Amendment by Mr. Terry, to regulate
foreign and coasting trade on our northern bound-
ariei ; by Mr. William, to prevent the furnishing of
war vessels or material to foreign powers to be used
against insurgent peoples; by Mr. Kellogg, reduc-
ing the income tax to 3 per cent., and exempting
$2,000 ; by Mr. Cowles, increasing the tax on
whisky to $1 per gallon ; and by Mr. Townsend, to
equalize the distribution of currency. Mr. Lough-
ridge's resolution directing the Banking and Cur-
rency Committee to report a bill increasing the
eurrencay $50,000,000 came up in order, and was
adopted yeas 110, nays 74. Among the nays
were Messrs. Randall, Kelley, Myers, and O'Neill.
Mr. M'Crary introduced a resolution relieving pork
packers mid lard renderers from payment of the ma-
nufacturers' tax. Mr. Butler, from the Reconstruc-
tion Committee, reported from the Senate Bill re-
incjvig riihtthilitiqs from four to five hundred ex-
rebels. On the Motldit df Whittemore, the
House Bill, including two thousand names, was
adopted as a substitute. Mr. Logan, from the
.111itery Committee, made a report of testimony in
regard to the sale of cadetships, implicating Mr.
Whittemore, the Representative from Souththe
Csrelina District, the report closing with a resolu-
tion for his expulsion from the Honse. After dis-
cussion, at the suggestion of Mr. Butler, a resolu-
tion was adopted citing Mr. Whittemore to appear
before the bar of the House on Wednesday, and

show why be should not be expelled. Feb. 22
Mr. Bingham, from the Judiciary Committee, asked
to have the Committee discharged from considera,
tion of the charges against Judge Busteed—the evi-
dence not being sufficient to warrant his impeach-

' meat. Agreed to. Mr. Julian, from the Public
Committee, reported a bill, which was- passed, ex-
tending the benefits of the Homestead Laws to the
children of deceased soldiers. Mr. Dawes, of Mas-
sachusetts, offered resolutions direcing the Com-
mittee on Rules to inquire whether Mr. Muugen,
of Ohio, does not deserve censure for a speech
printed in the Globe of the 20th instant. The
speech reflects upon Senator Sumner, and Mr.
Dawes said part of it was indecerlk and improper.
The resolution, after some discussion, was adopted.
Mr. Sargent desired to offer a resolution looking to
separate lcgislation. for taxing fruit distillation, but
Mr. Als Car thy objected. The Legislative Appropria-
tions were considered. Correspondence with Spain
was presented, including a letter from Minister
Sickles to the Spanish Minister of State, dated
Sept. 28 last, in which Mr. Sickles, in conformity
with his instructions, withdraws the offer of medi-
ation by the United States between Spain and
Cuba, the basis proposed being unacceptable to
Spain. A letter from Secretary Fish to Mr. Sickles
is also given, dated January 26, in which Mr. Fish
says that the public interest and sympathy felt in
the Cuban struggle in the United States have de-
creased, since the flagrant violations of law by the
agents of the Cuban insurgents have been made
known. He says the Government will preserve its
freedom of action, and be governed by facts as they
occur, and instructs Mr. Sickles to urge upon the
Spanish Government the policy of complete eman-
cipation, not only in Cuba, but in Porto Rico.
Feb. 23.—Mr. Banks had read a note from the
Secretary of State, announcing the death, at St.
Petersburgh, of Hon. Anson Burlingame, the
Chinese Ambassador. Messrs. Harris, Morphis,
Mc Kee and Pierce, members elect from Mississippi,
were sworn in. The bill to prevent polyg any in
Utah was taken up, and opposed by Messrs. Fitch
and Sargent, who argued that its:enforcement would
lead to a bloody and expensive war. The Legisla-
tive Appropriation Bill was considered until two
o'clock, when the case of Mr. Whittemore came up.
An affidavit from Mr. Whittemore, prepared by
Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, was read, in which he
declares that if time is given him he can prove
that he had never used the money received by
him for his own private purposes, and complains
that he had no opportunity to cross-examine
witnesses. When the affidavit was read, Mr But-
ler spoke in favour of postponing the consideration
of the question. Mr. Logan said that he had asked
Mr. Whittemore to cross-examine Kegler, one of
the witnesses, and that Whittemore said, he would
have nothing to do with such a scoundrel. He said
that while the receiving of money for the disposal of
the appointment was acknowledged, it made no dif- '
ference what the member had done with it
after it was received. He moved the previous
question, and resolutions postponing the consi-
deration of the case, and directing the summoning
of other witnesses, were defeated by large majori-
ties. The question then recurred on the expulsion
resolution, when Mr. Whittemore appealed to the
House to extend the time of action another day.
Mr. Logan said he would make no objection, and
the house adjourned. Feb. 24—The resolution ex-
pelling . Mr. Whittemore was called up by Mr.
Logan, who yielded the floor to Whittemore. Mr.
Whittemore thereupon commenced to read his de-
fence, when the Speaker interrupted him, and di-
rected the Clerk to read a communication which
Whittemore had sent to the desk. The papLr
was read, notwithstanding efforts by Mr. Whitte-
more to postpone its reading until he had finished
his remarks. It contained his resignation as a
member of the House. The Speaker said that it
was not the province of the Chair to recognize any
but a member of the House, and that it rested with
the House to decide whether Whittemore should be
allowed to proceed. The point of order was raised
that a member could not resign without consent of
the House, but the Speaker quoted precedents to
show that a resignation was voluntary, and needed
no acceptance. Mr. Farnsworth appealed from the
Speaker's decision, but a motion by Mr. Cox to lay
his appeal on the table was agreed to. Mr. Farns-
worth, with Mr. Logan's consent, moved to lay the
expulsion resolution upon the table, which was also
agreed to. Mr. Logan then offered a resoltition
censuring B. F. Whittemore, and declaring him un-
worthy of a seat in the House. Mr. Butler asked
unanimous consent to have Mr. Whittemore heard
on the resolution, but objection was made by Mr.
Morgan, and the resolution of censure was adopted
by a vote of 185 yeas, no number voting nay. The
Legislative Appropriation Bill was considered.

NAVAL ITEMS.—The American war steamer,
Richmond, is in the port of Lisbon. The Naples and Flor-
ence Observer says :--" On the Continent a canard seems to
thrive, and stories are believed which in England or Ame-
rica would not gain a moment's credence. The U.S. war
frigate Sabine seems to have been particularly favoured by
the caanrd mongers, for during her stay at Nice it was
reported thnt a villanous attempt bad been made to
blow her up I,y some of the crew who were dissa-
tisfied with their officers. The story went the usual
round of the European journals, and was believed
until contradicted in the most positive manner by
Captain Walker. Whether it be the tail of the
"comet" that has reached Naples or not we are Unable to
say, but a report has been in circulation here within the
last few days which is a sequel to the French story. It
has been said that a mutiny, had broken out on board the
Sabine, which was only mastered after some blood had
been shed. Nothing of the kind, allow us to tell our
Neapolitan friends, has happened. The crew is in the
most perfect state of discipline ; both the captain and offi-
cers are exceedingly popular, and the vessel is, as she was
always intended to be, a model one in every respect, as
all who pay her a visit may have an opportunity of
judging."
PROGRESS OF WOMAN'S RIGHTS.—The Minne-
sota House of Representatives, on the 24th February, con-
curred in the Senate bill submitting female suffrage to a
vote of the people of the State. It is understood the Go-
vernor will sign the bill.—The Senate of Missouri, on the
23d ult., elected Miss Nellie Raymond engrossing clerk,
and passed a constitutional amendment, allowing negroes
and ex-rebels to vote. The amendment is to be voted upon
by the people, but the State Legislature has rejected the
Female Suffrage Amendment.—Rev. Mrs. Pho3bo A.
Hannaford Las accepted a call to the pastorate of the
Universalist Church in New Haven.—Acting Governor
Love has appointed Mrs. Carlin° Neilland and Mrs.
Esther Morris, justices of the peace for Sweetwater county,
Wyoming.—Mrs. Jennie C. Claflin, of the new brokerage
firm, is giving the New York papers her ideas on
finance in half-column letters.—The Tribune says:
In Utah woman has the ballot. In Pennsylvania she
has to breeches. In Britain she is making a famous
fight for the tobacco-box. In New York she has her
club-house. In Chicago she goes for the adversary with
a cow hide, and these few words explain who her adver-
sary was: —" Mr. W. F. Storey, proprietor of the Chicago
Times, has been pdblicly cow-hided by Miss Lydia Thomp-
sonMissPaulineMarkham." is there anything else to come?
—At St. Louis, on February 21,Judge Knight, of the Circuit
Court, decided that the debts of a wife should collected
from the husband, and not from the separate estates
POLITICAL NEWS.—A telegram sent-from New
York last Wednesday tells us the result of the elections in
New Hampshire on the previous day ; the Republicans
carried the State, but by a reduced majority. Mr. Stearns
was re-elected Governor, the Republicans having returned
the entire State ticket, and have again a preponderance
in the Legislature. The majority is estimated at 1,000.
polled 35,777 votes; the De-
Last year the Republicans po
mocrats 32,004; the candidates being the same, viz.:
Onslow Stearns, Republican, now re-elected as Governor,
against John Bedell, Democrat. It is probable that the
vote was by no means so heavy as formerly, and the
Labour Reform and temperance movements tend to
complicate ther struggle as a tOt of party strength. The
Republicans, however, have beaten tiieDemocrats combined
with the Labour Reform and Temperance organizations.—
Morgan C. Hamilton, one of the Senators dieted by the
Texas Legislature, on Tuesday, Feb. 22, is a brother of
Gen; Jack Hamilton, who has been so prominent in that
State, and is chosen for the term ending March 4, 1871,
and also for the full term of six years immediately succeed-
ing. Lieutenant-Governor Flanagan is elected for the
term ending in 1875. The municipal struggle at Mobile
is believed to be ended. Ex-Mayor Price has been released
and the city government turned over, to Dr. Cole. The
Indiana Republican Convention met February 22, several
coloured delegates being present. Rev. Win. T. Malone,
coloured, was chosen Vice-President. Most of the present
State ticket was renominated. Resolutions were adopted
rejoicing at the ratification of the suffrage amend-
ment, and declaring that the national debt ought to
be honestly discharged, according to its letter and
spirit, and favouring a tariff for revenue. The Con-
necticut Democratic Convention met on the same day, and
re-nominated ex-Governor English. Resolutions were
adopted denouncing the Legal-Tender Act as a violation
of the Rights of the people, sympathising with Cuba, and
declaring the Fifteenth Amendment a radical change in
the Coustitutiun, Nearly all the membera of the Virginia
Legislature, wit tent, distinction of party,
have signed' a
petition for the admission of the Ilea, ,Insepla oegar as
congressman at large frym.Virgiuht,