New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-02

| wasting time on subsidies under such con-
ditiOn of things.
Mr.. Kellogg, in support of Mr.. Williams
motion. argued the importance of the bill
in aid of line in the Gulf of Mexico from
New Orleans to Mexican ports, which was
the first of the steamship subsidy bills in
order He spoke of the vital interest of the
measure to the people of the whole Mssis-
sippi valley as shown by resolutions on the
subject by the chambers of commerce of the
various cities of that valley.
Mr.. Ramsey favored immediate action, as
a means of apprising parties engaged in
steampship enterprises OF the disposition of
the Senate on the general policy. Govern
mental action was necessary to prevent our
commerce from dwindlins to less than that
of a third-rate power.
Mr.. Sprague asked for the ayes and noes
on the motion, so that the Senate mig ght set
tie now whether it would enter upon sub
sidizing steamship lines.
Mr.. Cole. acting Chairman of the Com
mittee on Appropriations IN the absence OF
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Maine, insisted that action
should be had upon the appropriation bills.
AFTER further discussion, Mr. Williams
temporarily withdrew his motion, and the
Senate. on motion of Mr.. Cole. took up the
consular and diplomatic appropriation bill.
After passing appropriation bills reported
in earlier dispatches, the subject Of steam
ship subsidies was resumed.
Mr.. Williams renewed his motion to take
up the first of the steamship subsidy bills,
being that relating to a line in the Gulf OF
Mexico. A discussion enSued as to the un-
dcrstanding on which the bill was to be
taken up, whether for the specific purpose
of allowing the Senator from Louisiana.
Mr.. Kellogg, to address the Senate in sup
port of tho bill, in accordance with previous
notice to that effect, or for decisive action.
Mr.. Conkling, while disposed to accom-
modate his friend. Mr.. Kellogg did not
wish his consent to take up the bill con
srued aS an indication that he favored it.
He Hlade this statement in consequence of
the singular course Of the newspapers in
charging every Senator who introduced a
subsidy bill with fayOring the measure.
For one, he had not yet seen one of these
bills that he could vote for yet, by request,
he had introduced one of these measures.
He had been charged by the Chicago Tri-
dune with the attempt to engineer the JOB
through the Senate.
Mr.. Nye said he was noS at all sensitive
to newspaper criticism, and he would
favor the taking up of the measure, not as
question of courtesy. but as an assertion OF
public policy. He regarded the rebuilding
of our commerce as the most important
question before Congress. and that the
whole subject would be presented by pro
posed subsidy legislation.
Mr.. Davis thought that the main object
of subsidies was to enrich few Interested
parties. He suggested as the most effective
means Of restoring American commerce
the purchase of iron ships abroad duty
free.
AT this point an informal understanding
was effected that Mr.. Kellogg should have
leave to address the Senate on the subject
at the expiration of the next morning hour.
Representative Clarke to-day appeared
before the Judiciary Committee and an
swered the protest of Judge Paschal against
abolshing the present judicial district of
Texas. He insisted that Congress had the
power, and that if his bill was subject to
the objections stated. the Judiciary Com
mittee could remedy it.