The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-09

Consress NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in the
| Observation-Disclosures Senators De-
Tending Thor Positions.
The House of Representatives celebrated its
return to business yesterday by the introduce
ton and reference Of an avalanche of bills and
propositions, few Of which were Of much
general importance. Among those, however,
which did rise to that dignity was one intro
duced by Mr.. Cox, directing the President to
recognize belligerent rights in the Cuban
insurgents; and one introduced by Mr.. Hale,
of Maine, to exempt from import duties all
materials for tho construction and repair Of
American vessels, and to permit the use Of
ships stores free of duty. The former was re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs with
out discussion, because the rule of the House
prohibits any discussion during the call Of
the States on Mondays. But Mr.. Hale's bill,
having come In after the call, was the subject
of quite lively interchange Of views. MIR.
Dawes and the Peunsylvanians wanted 1t re-
ferred to the Committee Of Ways and Means,
30 that 1t might sleep there undisturbed and
be never heard Of more; but those who were
in favor of definite action preferred to keep 1t
before the House, whore there might be some
chance Of having II debated and acted on.
While it was In this state Of suspense the
morning hour expired, and the matter went
over until next Monday.
1t is remarkable circumstance that our
government, which processes to be one of such
advanced liberalism, is, in everything pertain
ing to commercial affairs, far behind that Of
England. Not only do English vessels have
the privilege of taking all ships stores out
of bond free Of duty, but the same
privilege is accorded to vessels Of all national
tiles sailing from English ports; and so, when
we had steamers in the Atlantic trade, they
always took in on the other side supplies sufi-
Client to last for the voyage both ways. But
our government, instead of reciprocating such
action, does not even allow the like privilege
to vessels bearing It's own flag. So, too, Eng
land throws open her entire coast trade to the
rivalry of all commercial nations, being able
and ready to compete with them on equal
terms; while we, In order to maintain the
little commerce that we have left, see ourselves
forced to the Chinese policy Of closing our
coastwise trade to all outside competitors.
| Would not the better and more honorable
policy be to give such encouragement to
| American shipbuilders and shpowners as
would place them on an equal footing with
those of other nations, and then leave the
coastwise commerce open, as that Of the ocean
is, to all competitors? Until we are in con-
dition to do that and until we do 1t, we
should be more modest in advancing our
claims to be regarded as the most liberal of
great governments. Let Congress pass this
bill of Mr.. Hale's, as being at least a step in
the right direction, and let every other ap-
propriate means of reviving our maritime
interests be resorted to, or else we will sink
to the rate of fifth or sixth class commercial
nation.
A proposition in regard to the Income tax
came before the House, in the shape of reso-
luton which had been offered by Mr.. Kellogg,
of Connecticut, prior to the recess, instructing
the Committee of Ways and Means to report,
as early as practicable, bill to repeal that
tax. The question was on suspending the
rules, so as to adopt the resolution. This form
required majority of two-thirds in Its favor |;
but the vote fell short by ten of a simple
majority, and, consequently, the resolution was
rejected. As heretofore, the opposition came
principally from the West and from represent
atives of rural constituencies The most strik-
ing exceptions to the first part of that rule
were In the cases of General Butler, of Mas
sachusetts, Mr.. Hale, of Maine; Mr.. Parker,
of New Hampshire; MIR. Poland, of Vermont
Mr.. Willard, Of Vermont, and Mr.. Fernando
Wood, of this city, all of whom voted in the
negative. Various resolutions of more or less
public interest were offered auS disposed of in
the House. Chief among these was one 10
reference to European cooperation In the con.
struction Of the Darien ship Canal. This was
sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
its chairman promising to make report
In due time. One, on -Sle subject o.
Civil Service reform, proposing q dis.
trbution of the Offices among the States
in proportion to their population, was adopted
One was also adopted directing inquiry into
the case of contest among certain railroad
companies for public lands, to which none Of
them are entitled, Mr.. Fernando Wood
stating, In connection with it that the
cause of Mr.. Akerman's forced resigna.
ton Of the Attorney Generalship was biz
having given an opinion adverse to the claim
ants aud in favor of the government, which
opinion is said to have been set aside by thu
Interior Department, at the dictation Of 1
Senator. We hope that when the Judiciar,
Committee comes to inquire into the matte
Mr.. Wood will be prepared to make good hl
statement or, at least, put the committee Of
the track of exposing the fraud, If any frau,
has been committed.
| GAneral Slocum tried to introduce Resolution