The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-07-16

| eminent OF that island and to take such other
steps as will in his JUDGMENT prevent any for
| elgn or iionaichcai government taking posse s.
sion of Cuba or any otherisland in the Ameri-
can sea.
The rules were not SUSPENDED.
MIR. Cox of New York sought the floor to
offer resolution to free ships.
Mr.. Logan of Illinois, moved to suspend the
rules and pass the Senate joint resolution for
the relief of certain contractors for the con-
struction Of vessels of war and of steam ma
chlnery. Rejected.
Pending the vote the Presidents message
was received
AT 3 minutes before 2 O clock messenger
from the Senate arrived almost breathless and
amid the laughter of the House managed to
| gasp out that the Senate had cOpcurred in the
| O'Clock.
Mr.. Cox of New York, reminded the Speak
| er that before the reception of the Presidents
| message he obtained the floor to offer resolu'
| ton on free ships.
Mr.. Conklng of New York, expressed re.
| greet that the President had stolen his col
leagues thunder (Laughter.)
Mr.. Butlec of Massachusetts, said that he
had similar resolution to introduce.
The Message was referred to the Commit
tee of Ways and Means with instructions to
consider it forthwith and report at as early a
moment as practicable, and the resolutions for
Tree ships offered by Mr.. Cox of New York,
Butler Of Massachusetts,, Ingersoll Of Illinois,
Potter of New York, Munger of Ohio, and
Conger of Michigan, were also referred.
The House then, at 2 20, took recess for.an
hour
On the House resumng its session Mr.. Blair
OF Michigan, from the Committee on Ways and
Means, reported the following:
Resolred That in the opinion of the House
1t IS not expedient to further extend the pres
emit session Of Congress to take further action
at this time on the Presidents message.
Mr.. Schenck of Ohio, from the minority of
the committee, reported bill authorizing for
limited time the registration of foreign built
iron vessels.
Mr.. Blair advocated the adoption Of the mi
nority report.
Mr.. Schenck advocated the bill reported by
the minority.
Mr.. Kelly of Pa, opposed the bill of the min
ority at considerable length, claiming that the
necessity OF the case did not require such i'm
mediate and decisive action as suggested by
the Presidents message, and was sustained in
his position by Mr.. Brooks. The minority re-
port was sustained by Messrs. Allison and
Logan. Mr.. Peters of Maine, opposed the min
ority reportsas proposingto take away even the
ordinary benefits and privileges which
commerce and ship building had The passage
of the bill would be to cut the jugular vein of
all the ship building interests of the country.
He therefore protested against it. After further
debate by Messrs. Cox, Lynch, Peters and
Blair, the motion to lay the whole subject on
| VIC JdUlc pIcVdtltJ.
The usual final messages were passed be-
tween the House and the President, and at 6
o'clock the session was declared adjourned
sine die.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
To the Senate and House of Representatives.:
Your Jattention lis respectfully called to the
necessity OF passing an Indian appropriation
oil oil peiore the members OF Congress separate
Without such an appropriation Indian HOSTILE
ties are sure to ensue and with them suffering,
loss of life and expenditures vast as compared
with the amount asked ior.
The latest intelligence from Europe indicates
the iimminence of war between Franco and
North Germany. In view of this sound policy
indicates the Importance Of some legislation
tending to enlarge the commerce marine of
this country which at the present time are in
sufficient to meet the increase which the ex-
pense OF war in Europe will impose upon the
commerce of the United States, and sub NIT
to the consideration of Congress that the in
terests or the country will be advanced BY the
opportunity offered to our citizens to purchase
vessels OF foreign construction for the foreign
trade OF the country. An act of this effect
may be limited in its duration to meet the i'm
mediate exingency. The foreign mail service
of the United States is in large degree de-
pendent upon the Bremen and Hamburg line
OF steamers The post-office department. has
entered into contracts in writing with the two
companies above named, and with the Will
liamS and Guion line respectively for a regu-
lar and continuous service two years. The
only arrangement that could be made with the
Inman and Cunard lines is temporary and NAV
be broken off at any time. The North German
lines are first class in point of speed and equip
ment, their steamers usually making trip
across the Atlantic in from "a to SO hours in
advance of the Williams and Guion line.-
Should the North German steamers be block
AIDED or impeded by France our postal inter-
course with foreign nations will be greatly en-
barrassed unless Congress shall interfere for its
relief l suggest to Congress the propriety of
further postponng the time for adjournment
with view of considering the question herein
communicated.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT.