New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-15
DiScreditahle
'EXT OF GULF STEAMSHIP BILL
WASHINGTON.

Passed the Sennte-New Orleans the
Initial and Terminal Point of the
LiMc.Redempticn and sale of Lands
Acquired Under Direct Tnxes-Ni3h,
Session OF The House-The Gulf
Steamship Bill.
WASHINGTON, February i4.-The recon
struction committee will vote Thursday on
the bill appointing Ku uhiuX commissioners
in each countv
In the Bowen bigamy trial a man calling
himself John Wilkinson, swore that for
S900 he had married Mrs. Parkc under the
assumed name OF G. c. Bowen. and in CON
sideration OF the $500. Judge Henderson.
in rebuttal. swcars he never saw Wilkinson,
and never married him TO Mrs. Farkc. Tie
| court would not allow Mrs Parke- Bowen to
testify.
The Secretary Of the Treasury received
the following from the Collector Of the Port
of Boston
Captain Hopkins. of the British bark
Mary Baker, from st. Michael. which ar
| rived at Boston this morning, reports that
on the twenty-eighth OF January he saw an
American Inau-ot-war OFF Mole st. Nicholas.
the northwest point of iIayti When 1irst
seen she WAS under steam. Soon after she
started over to the east end of Cuba. under
sail and steam going very siowl y. He. en-
sign was set. The description answers
that Of the Tennessee
The steamer Supply will also take French
provisions.
Senat..-The gulf steamship subsidy bill
passed. The names of the colporators We're
stricken OUT, and an amendment adopted
fixing New Orleans as the initial and tcrlni-
nal point of the line.
The finance committee reported adversely
70 the bill remitting the duty on articles
sold at fairs for the benefit OF the French.
bill was reported for the redemption
and sale OF! lands acquired by the United
States under direct taxes.
UoHsc.-Tne contest between Sheate ana
Tillnan for a seat from the Fourth Tennes-
see District resulted ia favor Of T.lman.
The West Point question occupied the
balance OF the day.
The iIoUse is i'll session tonight for gen
cral debate.
The gulf steamship bill as passed directs
the Postmaster General to advertise. and
authorizes him to contract with responsible
parties. who shall be American citizens
upon the most advantageous terms, tor the
conveyance OF scmi-lnonthlv mail service
from New Orleans, via Galveston, to certain
Mexican ports; the contractors. within
eighteen months, to construct three first
class iron steamers. OF not less than 1000
tons burden. 20 be subject to the acceptance
or rejection by the Postmaster General. and
approved by Il constructor detailed hV tie
Secretary OF the Navy.
In time of war, or in danger. the govern
ment to take these vessels by purchase. Oh
the payment OF !; sum equivalent to the in
terest on their ascertained value. The mail
contract not to exceed ten Years, nor the
annual compensation 100000. A reason
able compensation to be paid for the first
eighteen months for any pioneer vessels
placed upon the route.
Mr. Clarke has been instructed hv the
Committee on Commerce 10 report 1t hlll
making Galveston an enumerated port. and
appointing an appraiser.
The following is the text of the bili for
the gulf steamship line, authorizing mail
steamship line service in the Gulf oI Mex
lcO. between the port OF New Orleans,
Louisiana. and certain ports OF the repUblic
OF Mexico
BE i, enacted by the Senate aud House OF
Representatives, OF the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
Postmaster General be and is directed to
advertise tor proposals, and authorized to
contract with such citizens as may offer to
perform the service herein contemplated, on
terms MOst advantageous and least eXpcn-
sIVe TO the government, for the conveyance
OF the mails from and to the United States,
and to and from the repubiic of Mexico in
the following, to Wit
The said service shall be a seni-monthlv
service, and In accordance with schedule
Postmaster General. One steamer shall
leave the port OF New Orleans each month,
touching at the ports OF Galveston. Texas
Tampico, Vera Cruz, Coatzacoalcos, To
b.sco, Laguna. Campechc, Sisal, and thence
via Havana, 10y way of Galveston. to New
Orleans. One other steamer shall leave the
port Of New Orleans each month. touching
Il, Havana, Sisal. Campeche, l.aguna, To
b;Sco, Coatzaeoalcos, Vera Cruz, Tampico,
ana thence to- New Orleans
For the performance of the service herein
referred TO the contractor shall construct
within eighteen calendar months from the
date of the contract herein provided for,
and place on SAID line in condition for actual
service not less than three first class sea-
going iron steamships, which steamships
shall have been wholly constructed n the
tnited States, and after approved models,
and with all modern improvements adapted
TO sea gong steamships OF the first class
and net 10 he of less than 1900 tons burden
and be subject To the approval and accep-
tance or rejection Ivy the Postmaster Cen
rral. after an inspection and survey b. d
naval constructor 20 be detailed for that
purpose oy the Secretary OF the Navy upon
request of the Postmaster General, whose
report shall be n4ad" 70 the Postmaster Gen
erul; and
Provided also, That The government Of
the United States snail have the right to
take such steamships for It's own use in
times OF war or threatened danger, either
by direct purchase or by payiuga sum OF
money equivalent to IA fair interest on the
aScertained value and for the wear and
tear such ships may sustain while in the
possession OF the government. The com
pensatiou in either case to be determined by
three sworn appraisers. one to be selected
by the Secretary of the Navy one to be Sc
lected by the contractors, and 4 third to he
selected by the two former. The price paid
i'll no case to exceed the original cost of the
vessels.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That
the Postmaster General and other named
parties to this contract be and are hereby
authorized to make such changes, adding