The Portland daily press., 1870-05-25

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 81, Il

w WASHINGTON, ~. u, May Il, 1917.
REVIVAL OF COMMERCE.
The important debate on the bills reported
by Mr.. Lynch has now occupied the morning
hour for six days and each days debate has
been more interesting or animated than the
preceding one. In all probability the vote will
be taken on Tuesday, but it may be continued
for day or two longer. So far, the bill of
the committee appears, in the main, to be
gaining favor. That there will be one or two
amendments appears pretty certain; the prin-
cipal being the striking out of the proposed
bounty for the use of American materials in
the construction of iron, steel or composite
vessels. An attack will be made in vigorous
shape on the two last sections-those granting
a small subsidy or bounty per ton on certain
classes of vessels and levying a tonnage tax
~'.ti is believed that both will pass the House
suOstantlirny as they now stand.
VI the speeches mada in support of the
measure, besides Mr.. Lynci's, OF which If is
not necessary for me to speak, except to saw
that it is impressng Congress more and more
each day,-were made by Mr. Calkins of New
York and Mr.. Hale of your own State. Both
are young men, and both are earnest and able
Mr.. Cllkins' effort was maiden one. He
spoke extemporaneously and kept the atten-
lion OF the House well, showing skill in hand
ling the policy proposed, from a popular and
effective stand point. Mr.. Hale has already
won a place in the Chamber and is regarded
as the strongest and most promising yop-s
men who has recently appeared in ~eongress
There is one quality of Mr-Hufes mind which
is too rare among our public meB and which,
combined with Ills ease of manner and clear
force and expression, would make him sue
oessful. refer to his scholarly thoroughness
of preparation. He seems fairly to exhaust
information on the topics he discusses. In the
speech he made upon the bill this quality was
quite striking. He traced clearly and incisive-
ly, yet briefly, the history of the English navi-.
CATION laws and therresults and advantages
he pointed out ourpresent position and urged
the adoption of The pending measure.
The only noteworthy speeches made in op-
position were Mr.. Woods, Gen. Buffers and
MIR. Allison's. The speech of the first named
wa, marked by careful preparation and a gen
eIaly Keen and accurate comprehension of
tne SUBJECT That made by Gen. Butler was |
paseo on proposition utterly impracticable. |
supernciaiiy argued and considered and mark |
ed by that peculiar sensatioDalism which is
a marked characteristic OF Mr.. ButIer's no. |
iltical mentality. Mr.. Allison's speech was |
like himsef-superficially wise, The Iowan
is picker-to pieces of unconsidered tr,aas
He's nothing, as l have before said if me-.
critical, and when critical is less even than
nothing. '''i
The opposition of The three gentlemen
each considered an able man-is easily anal |
yzed. They are all shrewd enough to seize |
upon one point, and ignoring logic, hold it up |
as rs, reprehensible That is, the fact that the |
Dlli, naturally and necessarily as part of a |
general plan for the revival of an ocean com |
mefce, hrst relieves the ship builder. IF we |
are not to abandon the navigation laws. tbis
7, Is The normal and primary starting noint
lac owners and sailors tools-the shin"
must first beplaced within his reach T..
there is little demanoouerv in th;s Dul
against the ship building interests. Tbo oty
ject is to affect Mr.. Lynch's position hot
the house and country. '0''io
MIR. Woods objection was that the hill nro.
posed was not comprehensive enouob Ho
wanted to repeal the tariff, regulate the fipan-
ces and abroeate those navigation laws. adj |
hitting foreign ships to American register
where used in foreign trade. AT the close of |
his speech, after criticising as inadequate eve
ry remedy advanced by the select committee.
top lave Y. as bis own panacea all the PROPOSE
hean lucy Lucy presented in their report as having
,"Ii Viii oei 1 them, besides adding the one of
T Tharn we zen. Butler claims the paternity
rnsaIe was wa not an original idea in ali his nro-
H., $50 "a ~. vi the lime being taken verba
Wy MI. Lyhchs
Gen; Buffers proposition substitutes e., A.,
81 and 18th sections of the pendin@ h iui tlie
sections making difierentia duties Of Do an Two
70 per cent. on goods carried in Amer; onu
wooden or iron ships, and also AUTHORIZING ,t tha
resident to give due notice of the abrosatn'
II some fourteen reciprocal treaties of COM
aerce and navigation.
VI course General Butler sustained these
Propositions in clever manner, and with
aWyer.iike facility of advocacy.
vho ~ initiates ~ against this proposition to say
'Ie Is absolutely true, that such plan en-
oules as complete and thorough abandon
r nt,o OF our traditional policy as would the
n''fe repeal of our navigation laws. and tbc