Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-21
Forty-SecOnd Congressional Session.
WASHINGTON, March 20.
SENATE

SENATE.
The senate consumed its morning hour in Il
discussion on the bill for bridging the Ohio
river at Evansville without coming to any con-
clusion; and then resumed the consideration of
the Chicago relief bill, on which Mr. Carpenter
had the floor.
After several amendments had been offered
and rejected, the bill reported from the finance
committee pasSed-yeas 90, nays II.
Mr. Caldwell, from the committee on Indian
affairs, reported bill to confirm sales of Shaw
nee Indian lands in Kansas.
Mr. Sherman moved to resume the considera-
ton of the tariff bill.
Mr. Chandler announced that he would OPP
pose the consideration of this tariff bill at every
stage, because he regarded it as bill on which
the senate ought not to waste moment.
The bill was taken up, and Mr. Morrill, Of
Vermont addressed the senate at length.
Mr. Hamilton of Maryland followed with an
argument against protective and in favor of
revenue tariff,
Mr.. Frelinghuyseu obtained the floor, but
yielded to a motion for executive session, which
was carried, and the senate soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
In the morning hour a bill was reported and
passed to grant an American register to Dutch
barque owned by John 5. Emery Co. OF BOs-
ton.
AT two O'clock the bill in relation to appoint
ments to aud removals from office was called up,
and on motion of Mr.. Willard it was postponed
for four weeks.
At halfpast two the house again went into
committee of the whole on the post Office APP
preparation bill, the pending question being
upon the Pacific Mail subsidy. The time for de
bate was EXTENDED TO four O'Clock by general
consent.
Mr.. Townsend thought it ought to be shorter,
because the debate had degeneratcd into casting
imputationS upon the personal motives of mem
bers who advocated the subsidy bill
NJ COnner rCDOrrPd n bill to authorize the an
pointment of shipping commissions TO superin-
tend the Shipping and discharge OF seamen on
American merchant ships, and for further pro-
lection of seamen. He explained that the bill
was modelled upon English law on that subject,
aud had received the approval of the mercantile
community; and that the commissioners should
be appointed by the United States circuit Judges.
The bill is very voumnouS, containing sixty
seven sections. Shipping articles, or agreements
are to be signed by each seaman, in presence of
commissioner. Any ship carrying a seaman
to sea, except Stowaway, without his signing
such agreement, shall incur a penalty of $500.
StipulatiOnS for allotment of wages must be in
serted in the agreement; no advance of wages
or advance note shall be given to any person but
the seaman himself; seamen are to be discharged
and receive their wages IN presence of a shipping
commissioner, and to receive ce tilicates Of dr.
charge; all questions in dispute between masters
and seamen to be decided by the commissioner.
The commissioner is to take charge of the wages
and effects of the seamen dying in the United
States, and deliver the same 10 the United States
circuit court of the district. The bill provides
penalties against Seamen for desertIon, dlSobe
dence and other offenseS. Wages of seamen
are not to be subject to attachment or assign
ment; the act of soliciting seamen to become
dodgers at boarding houses within twenty-loul
hours after the arrival of their ships is made
an oflense punishable by fine and Imprisonment
| The bill contains also schedule OF the COmmlS
| siOnel's fees, fixing two dollars as the fee fol
| engaging each member of a crew, and fifty cents
| for diScharging him, and five dollars for an ap
| premiership agreement; it contains also Scalt
of provisions to be allowed and served out to the
crew during Il voyage.
After considerable discussion, suggestions and
amendments, the bill went over until to-mor
row.
A bill for the reorganization of the civil ser
vice, the special order for to-day, was, on mo
ton OF Mr. Willard, further postponed till this
day four weeks.
The house, at 30 went into committee OF thu
whole on the post office appropriation bill, thu
pending question being on the increase of the
subsidy to the China mail steamers. long dis
Gus lion followed, during which Mr.. Peters SPOKE
of the great depression of the ship building in
terest, saying that on the Canadian side of The
| st. CroiX river there were numerous vessels be
| ing built, while on the American side, having
| similar interests, not a hamm was heard. He
| denied that the shipping interests had been in
iured by the depredations of the Alabama anc
such privateers. On the contrary, it was stimu
| lated and benefited by them. What was want
| ed was drawback on shipbuilding material
Mr.. Crocker's amendment permitting the gov
eminent to take possession Of steamers in cast
| of war, was agreed to.
MIR. Farnsworths substitute, keeping the sub
| sidy at half million and allowing service to b.
performed by foreign built ships, was rejected
| s. to %.
| The amendment making the service semi
monthly, and the compensation a million dol
| lars, was defeated, 81 to 80.
The announcement of the vote was applaudet
on the democratic side.
The committee then proceeded with the re
| naming portion of the bill.
| Mr. Epson moved an amendment to prohibi
employees of the departments from acting a
| agents or attorneys for the prosecution of claims
within two years after leaving the office agreeC
| to.
| Mr.. Farnsworth moved to amend by applying
| the same rule to members of congress; ruled
| out of Order
Mr.. UpSon's amendment having been admit.
ted under suspension Of the rules, the commit.
tee rose and reported the bill to the hCuse, which
passed, and then the house adjourned.