The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-16

subject y our opinion that could q
their unanimous desire that the principle lnaugu-
rated by the founders OF our Institutions 10 regard
TO our registry laws should be undsiurbed and that
all vessels partakng II It's benefits should be con-
structed on American tsrritory.
After the reading OF this paper several members
OF the House committee asked vs.ssy OF questions
as to the proper remedy for the evils existing. Mr..
Rowland stated that taking the duty or foreign
iron, although It would eventually help the shipDuild
ing interest, would not fully meet the emergency.
He thoughtt would take years for the Pennsylvania
ronmonger to produce the material at the price for
which English wouh sell in the United States;
consequently the American mills would be discour
aged and close up. lie declared that we must have
American plate to build American ships The neces-
sity OF having every plate and bar rolled specified
order and the time required for importation forbid
the use OF foreign material AS to the inquiry, made
by member OF the Congressional committee,
whether the New York delegation did not ask for
what practically would amount to o bounty on
American snIpbuilding, Mr.. Rowland said he should
have to object to the use d such word Neither he
nor his colleagues would SIX for any bounty They
preferred to give full consideration Tor what they
asked They would, in exchange for the relief &C.
corded by government, give full equivalent in
exchanging the prosperity OF the country by edu-
eating mechanics and Others to become efficient
shpoullders and sailors, while at the same time de-
veoping the manufacture u American iron. They
only asked the general government to do for the
shipoullders what States did for educational pur-
poses. States expended money IN teaching their
youth, SO the general government should he liberal
in providing for the education Of mechanics, such as
were required for shippuilding which formed one of
the strongest elements OF the prosperity OF great
nation. Without schools and schoolmasters no edu-
cation could be had for the people. Without edu.
Gated mechanics there could be no prosperous con-
dition OF our shipping interests
Mr.. d. ID. Westervelt observed that the skill and
mechanical ability OF Americans have by no means
deteriorated, as certain people were in the
habit OF saying; in fact, little progress
had been made IN the speed and efficiency
OF ocean steamers since the failure OF the
Collins line. at should DO remembered" he said
''that years ago the Collins steamship Baltic had
made run across the Atlantic IN eight days and
twenty-five hours, which was within few hours Of
the best time since made by the fastest
foreign-bullt steamships. II American mecnan-
les were now given the same opportunity
enjoyed by foreign mechanics to show their skill,
no doubt In short time new class OF American
steamers would appear which would accomplish the
run TO Europe In seven DAYS.
Messrs. VIM. Foulxer and L. H. Boole followed with
appropriate remarks and made a very marked I'M
preston upon the committee. Messrs. Westervelt,
Foulkes, I. F. Rowland and Thomas Stack left here
Tor New York tonight. The balance OF the delega-
ton remain here till tomorrow.
Mr.. Boutwell, Consulting Congressional Finan.
ciers.
Mr.. Boutwell, Secretary Of the Treasury, was on
the floor Of the Senate and House o,day, and had
lengthy conversations with Senator Sherman chair.
man OF the Senate Finance Committee, and Mr..
Schenck Of the Wava and Means Commitfae
The Franiking Privilege.
The House Post ONCE Committee at their meeting
to-day appointed Messrs. Hill, Fitch and Adams
subcommittee to take into consideration the various
bills, papers and petitions which have been laid
before the House on the subject OF abolishing the
ranking privilege This subcommittee is to make
a report to the general committee, after which 1t
will decide upon bringing In bill. The indications
are that the committee will not report bill abolish.
ing the ranking privilege entirely, but only sus-
pending 1t during the OF Congress. The chair
man OF the committee, General Farnsworth is In
favor of abolishng the ranking privilege entirely,
but the majority OF the committee against It.
The committee determined trr5vist New York and
Boston during the holiday recess and examine the
work the Post Office buildings In those cities.
The Postal Convention With Great Britain.
Postmaster General Creswell received cable
General at London, announcing the execution by
the British Post ONCE, that day. OF the new Postal
Convention, to come into operation on the LIST Of
January next The articles OF the Convention were
draftei and executed at Washington on the Sd INST.
and forwarded in the mail despatch from New York
on Saturday, the 4th inst, by the Inman steamship
City OF Brussels which made the quickest trans
atlantic passage on record. Only ten days inter-
vened between the execution Of the convention at
Washington and London.
The Tax Malt Liquors.
Frederick Lauer, Of Reading, Pa President OF the
United States Brewers Congress, visited this city
to-day in company with James J. Lewis, ex-commis-
sioner of internal revenue and had satisfactory In
terviews with Commissioner Delano and Special
commissioner Wells, relative to certain proposed
notifications In the details Of the existing laws
regulating the taxes upon manufacturers and
dealers in malt liquors. The changes desired are
embodied in memorial from the Executive Com
mirtee OF the Brewers Congress held at Newark,
N. j., on the 9th of June last which win be laid be-
fore Congress after the holiday recess
The Use Of Stand Casks.
The committee OF internal revenue officials to
whom was referred the subject Of o change IN the
recent order of Commissioner Delano concer ming
the of stand casks, have, upon consultation de-
cided that reasons exist why any alteration or
modification OF the Commissioners order should be
made and therefore decline to make such q recon-
mendation. The committee consisted OF First Deputy
Commissioner Douglas Third Deputy Given and So
lictor Smith.
Report Of the Congressional Librarian.
The report Of A.. r. SpoifOrd Librarian Of Con-
gress was submitted to the Senate this morning,
showing the condition OF the library for the year
ending December l, 1869. AT that date there were
1875, 227 volumes on hand. exclusive Of pamphlets
and periodicals unbound; 1885 volumes belong to
the law department: ll,2e2 volumes were added
during the year, as follows:-From purchases, 61so
Volumes from copyright, 1881; from deposit by the
Smithsonian Institute, 1879; from presentation,
724 from exchanges, GAS. Mr.. Spofrord calls the