Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-10
"WEDNESDAY, Jan. =.
DISTRESSED SEAMEN.


MIR. Newton offered resolution, direc-
ting the Committee Of Commerce and
Manufactures to enquire into the proprie-
~ Of providing for the relief of distressed
and disabled seamen..
Mr.. Newton staten that he had been
induced to propose the resolution from
the following letter from the Secretary of
the Treasurys
Treasury DEPARTMENT; Dec. 29th, 1908.
SIR,
Whilst the fund for supporting sick
and disabled seamen has during this year
been considerably diminished, the expeu-
ces are actually encreasing. For the fund
consisting Of the deduction of 90 cents per
month from the wages of seamen, must
necessarily decrease in the same ratio "a
the number of seamen actually employed;
and on the other hand, the number itself
of those who are confined at home aud
deprived of employ menl, produces an in
crease Of applications for relief.
All that had, by frugai,y in the expen.
diture, been saved during former years
will be inadequate to supply the dsiicien-
CIV of the ensuing year, unless orders b.
immediately. given To reduce, by some
general and harsh rules, The purnher OF
persons he. etofore admitted l Cannot
beliey. that this would be consistent III
the intention of the Legislature, and think
il my duty 10 stare the facts, in order
that proper remedy may be applied.
Upon due consideration of the subjeGt,
Il appears 20 me that thu most simple and
equitable plan would be to appropriate for
the year 1909, in aid of the fund an adj
dtioBai sum OF about two hundred thou.
sard dollars such sum to be applied as
the fund itself, under the genera! directi-
IONS Of the President, but to be expended
in the several ports in proportion to the
amount actually collected in each on that
account during the year 1907, aud to be
applicable to the relief, no, only of sick
and disabled, but also of distressed sea-
men.
I am, very respectfully,
Sir,
Your obedent servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
7. NEWTON, Esq. Chairman
of he Committee OF Conn.,
merce snd Manufactures.
The resolution was agreed TO without
opposition.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Mr.. BOYLE offered the following resolu.
ton, observing tha. the subject had beer
before the House several times, but a so.
Tenn decision had never been had on the
subiecl, and those who had witnessed the
mode of dispnsing Of land on credit, had
seen the III effects of the present system.
Resolved, Tha, the commit, ee on pub
lie lands, be instructed TO enquire into the
espediency Of reducing the price ofpubhc
lands, and abollshing the credit on sales
thereof and that they have leave TO re-
port BY bill or otherwise. Agreed TO.
NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT.
Mr.. Story said, tha, if the House did
not wish to be considered as slumbering
al their ports, it was proper that hey
should. after determining that they would
not submit TO he orders aud DEGREES of The
beiligerenis, adopt some efficient system
of warfare, If war must be the result
On this point he was decidedly of opinion
that we could carry on operations 10 grea,
advantage on the ocean. He held ia his
hand resolution Tor enqulring into The
propriety Of augmenling our naval force
which ne submitted to the consideration OF
The House.
Resolved, That the committee to whom
was referred so much of the message of
the President of the u. >. as relates to
our military and naval Establishments, be
instructed 10 enquire into the expediency
OF Increasing our naJai establishment, and
that they have leave to report by bill or
otherwise.
MIR. ID. r Williams asked Of the gentle
man, Against whom was this force TO be APP
plicsl From what source could any consi-
dera5le increase be made /! He presumed,
as the gentleman appeared TO have his mind
so frlly made up on the subject, that ne had
made the necessary calculations, and would
favor the House with them. For his part,
Mr.. Williams said, if we we're TO 20 to war
tomorrow, he would not vote single add-
tioDal floating gun. What had been the con-
sequence of representations Of naval force
in other countries Were they not perpe..
tualIy augmenting the British navy The
ministry would give but small premium
TO ensure the gentleman's augmentation
(should IL be made) a safe birth in their
ports. Did the gentleman wish to follow
the example Of Denmark, and have our
towns Copsnhagcned
Mr.. Gardner observed, that bill for
btfftnes MIR rreoaps t,ay. ,nt. .o...... -