The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-01
xLI coSoREss-sEcoND SESSION.

XII c0SGREsS-SEcoND SESSION.
March %. SESArx.-Seyeral bills and ne
MORALS were presented and referred, among
which was one from Gen. Rosccrans, asking for
the incorporation OF company 10 transact
business in the way Of telegrsphs and railroads
ia Mexico, il not inconsistent with the interna-
ticnalaw The bill to provide for the eiyili-
z,iion Of the Indians and to prepare them for
citizenship was passed.. The case Of Gen. Ames,
the Senator elect from Miss. was resumed Mr..
Davis opposed the admission OF Gen. Ames on
every legal and political ground. At the ooh-
cusion Of his speech the Senate adjourned.
IIousE-Aftcr several bills were introduced,
the bill for the removal Of the Brooklyn navy
yard was reported and ordered 10 be printed.
A resolution calling FOR statement Of the expen-
ditures Of the 500, 900 appropriated in 1862
for the colonization OF freeimen was adopSed.
The Sutro tunnel bill was taken up and after
long debate the bill was laid on the table by l26
10 Al. A message from the President on the
subject Of American commerce was presented
and read. The bill for the abolition Of polygamy
was taken mp, and Mr.. Hooper, the delegate
from Utah, continued his argument in defence
of the Mormon community and religious belief.
An amendment TO the bill was adopted, and
the bill passcd-9f TO 81
The following Is the message OF the President
in relation to the decline Of American COM
merce:
In the Executive message Of Dec. 1869, to
Congress, the importance OF taking steps to re-
yive our decaying merchant marine vas urged,
and special message was promised at n future
day during the present session, recommending
more specifically plans to accomplish this result.
Now that the committee Of the House of Rep
- "a l.ka
Of ascertaining the cause Of the decline Of
American commerce has completed It's work and
submitted lis report 10 the legislative branch Of
the government, deem this a fitting time to
execute that promise. The very able, calm and
exhaustive report Of the committee points out
the grave wrongs which have produced the de-
cline In our commerce. II is . national humil-
iation that we are now compelled TO pay from
so, O00, 900 10 $50, 0O0, 900 annually. exclu-
sive of passage money, which we should share
with other nations, to foreigners for doing work
which should be done by American Owned and |
American manned vessels. This Is a direct |
drain upon the resources Of the country Of just
20 much money, and equal 10 casting II into the
sea, 10 far as the nation Is concerned. A ma
ton Of the vast and ever increasing interior re-
sorces Of the Unitel States, extending, As IL
does, from one 10 the other OF the great oceans OF
the world, with its industrious. intelligent and
energetic population, must one day possess
full share Of the commerce Of these ocears, no
matter at what cost. Delay will only increase
the cost and enhance the difficulty OF attaining
that result. l therefore put in an earnest plea
for early action in this matter, In way 10 Sc
cure the increase Of American commerce. The
advanced perioi OF the year, and the fact that
no contract for shipbuilding viii probably be
entered into until the question is settled by Con-
grcss, anil the farther fact that If there SHOULD
be much delay all large vessels contracted for
this year will fail ofcompeton before winter sets
In. and will therefore be carried over another
year, induces me 20 request your early consider
alton Of this subject. Iregard Il Of such grave |
importance, affecting every interest OF the coun-
try 10 10 great an extent, that any method |
which will gain this end will secure the nation |
nj blessing OF building ships and navigating
them ami utilizing the vast capital at home.
This business. employees thousands OF workmen
in constructing and manning II creates home
market for produce of the farm and shop It
diminishcs the balance Of trade against Us pre-
ciscly 10 the extent Of freight and passage mon
ey paid to American vessels, and gives US SUI
premacy upon the seas Of inestimable value In
case OF foreign war. Our navy at the CON-
mcncemcnt OF the late war consisted OF les
than Que hundred vessels. OF about Is, 0oO tons,
and force Of about 1000 men. We drew frOm
the merchant marine. which hal cost the gov
ernment nothing, but which hal been source
of national wealth, six hundred vessels, excecl-
Ing one million tons. and about 10000 men TO
aid In the suppression Of the rebellion. This
statement demonstrates the value Of the mel
chant marine as q means Of national defence in
time Of war. Tho committee on tho cause OF
the reduction Of American tonnage, after in
ysstigatinc the cause OF its decline, submit two
bills, which II adopted they believe will restore
10 the nation It's maritime power. Their report
shows with great minuteness the actual and
comparative Americantounsge ut the. time OF
its greatest prosperity. and the actual and COM
paratiye decline since, together with the cause,
and exhibits other atstistics Of material inter
est In reference 20 the subject. As the report Is
before Congress win not recapitulate any ofits
statistics, but refer only to the methods recou-
mended by the committee to give back to us our
lost commerce. As n general rule IL can be
adopted, believe, that direct money subsidy
Is less liable 10 abuse than Indirect aid given to
the sane enterprise. In this case, however, my
opinion is that subsidies, while they may be Civ
en- 10 specific lucs Of steamers or Other vessels
should not be exclusively adopted, but in add
ton 10 Substituting very desirable lines Of ocean
traffic, general assistance should be given In an
effective way, and therefore commend to your
favorable consideration the two bills proposed
by the committee and referred to in this message.
(signed) U. s GRANT
March %. SESArE-Aner several bills, me-
MORALS and resolutions were adopted, resolu-
ton appropriatipg 100000 to Capt Halls
Arctic expedition was referred TO Com. ON For
eign Affairs. Mr.. Wilson INTRODUCED bill to
reduce the number Of men and officers OF the
army and>to IN their pay. IL provides for the
reduction Of the army IL authorizes the Prcsi-
dent to discharge officers, regulate allowances,
retire officers after thirty years service ON appli-
cation regulates the retircd list abolishes the
Offices Of Gen. and Lieut.. Gen. when vacated by
the present incumbents abolishes regimental
cOmmissary Of cayelry SC. allowing the Pre-
ident on report Of the board. to retire officers On
complaint. Gil vacancies SC. SC. by this bill
the enlisted men win be reduced from 81 900 10
5000. The bill, fixing the point Of junction
of the Unicn and Central Pacific uilrOad. amer
debate, passed. The Senate then went into ex-
ecutiye session ON the San Domingo treaty. The
HOUSE, disposed Of . number Of private bills,
then vent into committee Of the whole on the
tariff bill. Mr.. Allison continued his speech
fayoring general reduction Of taxation Of 20
pcr cent. Mr.. Kelley then delivered speech
in favor Of projections Afer which the House
adjourned. 8Sl-LHtt .la I.t1-'
March q. SESArr-rhe. Senate was occu-
pied In executive session. In the House the
Presidents mcsagv on commerce was refercd,
to the Committee ON that subject Mr.. Logan
from the Military COMMITTEES made rcpcrt on
the subject Of csietships stating that the CON-
mittee believed they had falhllei their mission,
asked TO be discharged from further duties on
the subject. The Committee also recommended
the removal Of Gen. Schoeppe one Of the Pa
tent Office sxaminers for rendering himself as Q