The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-14

SeoNy was uSSSSSoiy " t
it was, then the expenditures were war
ranted
After debate, Mr.. Goodrich moved
to lay the bill and amendment on the
table, which was carried by rising
vote, when Mr.. Butler obtained unani'
nous consent that the bill be recon-
mitted TO the committee.
The Speaker announced Messrs. Gar.
field, Halsey and Wells as Confer
ence Committee on the disagreement
Of the two houses on the Senate amend
ment to the bill making appropriations
for the public buildings at st. Louis.
The postoffice appropriation bill was
then resumed in the Committee Of the
Whole, and the debate continued on
the amendment increasing the subsidy
to the San Francisco and Japan Steam
ship Line from SjO0,O00 to 81 100000.
Mr.. Coburn opposed the amendment,
and suggested an amendment for it ad-
mitting foreign built vessels to Ameri-
can registry He understood that iron
steamships could be purchased abroad
for three-:ourths what they cost here.
That was the shape in which he pro.
posed granting subsidies. Why not let
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
buy the four great ships that are re-
quired wherever it could get them the
cheapest instead Of taking half million
year from the Treasury He offered
his amendment reducing the subsidy to
100000, allowing the Pacific Mail
Company to purchase four iron ships
abroad, to be registered in the United
States.
Mr.. Sargent made a point OF order
that the amendment changed the
existing law, and was therefore not in
order.
The Chair so decided and the decision
Of the Chair was sustained.
Mr.. Pomeroy, Of Ohio, advocated an
increase Of the subsidy. THIS had been
called an entering wedge, but an entry
was not necessary. The voting for this
subsidy would not oblige him to vote
for another subsidy. But he was free
to say that he was anxious to do what
he might so that the American flag
shall show itself on all the seas; that
the channel OF commerce shall be il!u
minated by its constellation.
Mr.. Crebs opposed the amendment.
ii had always found that when a great
wrong was about 10 be perpetrated,
great outrrv and pretence OF puhlic
necessity was sure to he raised. The
present case was an illustration Of its
truth
Mr.. Farnsworth offered substitute,
reducing the subsidy IS 100000; pro.
vided that the company shall perform
service sem..monthly, AMI may perform
it in ships of foreign construction. He
desired TO test the sense OF the House "a
to whether il was not better TO let this
company purchase its steamers abroad
than to pay halt a million of dollars out
OF the Treasury for the sentimental
privilege of seeing the United States
flag flying on the Pacific. He held
that this increased subsidy was on the
principle Of robbiug Peter to pay Paul
paying subsidies with one hand and
keeping up protection with the other.
Mr.. Morgan opposed the increased
subsidy, and referred to a statement
made to him by Mr.. Collins when he
got his first subsidy Of 100000, that it
had cost him more than that to get it.
lie would net charge corrupt practices
upon the members, but they all knew
that the lobbies were packed with plum.
derers. The scheme was not Rebubli'
can it was not Democratic; but would
not the country believe it was scheme
OF plumber devoid of shame? He
denounced it as a conspiracy against the
Treasury and against the people.
Mr.. Brooks, Of New York, replied to
Mr.. Morgan, and reminded him Of the
great men of both parties who had
voted for the Collins subsidy. He asked
him whether he dared 10 insinuate
corrupt motives against Clay, Webster
and Crittenden.
Mr.. Morgan (loudly and excitedly)-I
dare do anything that is right. |
dare to say that this scheme is scheme
OF punder; that j; taints the air. The
gentleman may make the most Of my
remarks.
Mr.. Brooks, with display OF great
feeling).-l will 90 down to posterty
with Clay and Webster and Crittenden,
for that appropriation to support the
flag OF our country on the ocean. APP
plause ! have before me record OF
distinguished men OF both the Whig and
Democratic party, who supported that
appropriation from lS4S to 1850. This
is no new question; it has been agitated
90 wears ago. Collins line was not for.
tunate, but its misfortune was done not
for want OF support on the part OF the
people, but to the bad management OF
the company and to subsequent extraor-
dinarv efforts OF Great Britain in subsi.
dizing the Cunard line.
Mr.. Conger opposed Mr.. Farnsworth's
proposition, which he said amounted
to paying bounty Of 100000 a wear
to foreign ship builders On all seas
except the Pacific Ocean the Ameri-
can carrying trade was lost. This, the
third commercial nation on the globe,
was outstrpped in the carrying trade by
dozens OF minor nations OF the earth.
This was no pioneer movement, 1t was
the continuation Of policy adopted
BY Congress several years ago in giving
a half million subsidy TO this line. He
reminded the House that the gentleman
from Massachusetts,, Mr.. Butler, who
protested sgsinst taking this money out
Of the Treasury was the open, avowed,
persistent advocate OF paying bounties
70 fishermen OF his district aud allow
ipc them a drawback on salt, and
that the gentlemen from Indiana and
Ohio, Messrs Holman and Crebs,
wanted large appropriations for improv-
ing the commerce Of the Ohio river be-
cause it would effect their immediate