The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-04-05
42d CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, April a.
HOUSE.

AkOOoGN
Mr.. Cox offered q resolution, which was
agreed to, declaring that Congress has
heard, with profound regret, Of the death
Of Professor Morse, whose distinguished
and varied abilities have contributed more
than those Of any other person to the de.
yelopment and progress Of practical arts
that his honor, his private life, his loili.
ness Id scientific aims, and his resolute
faith in TRUTH render 1t eminently proper
that Representatives and Senators should
solemnly testify to bis worth and great
ness. ....- ~ ~.
Mr. WooD made some remarks in
eulogy Of Professor Morse.
After the passage Of a few private bills,
the House resumed the consideration OF
the steamboat bill. ..''....
The amendment of Mr.. KERR, to sub.
stitute the liability sections Of Act 81 for
the 43d section OF this bill, was rejected.
That section was then modified, and the
bill passed. t.4.l
Mr.. DAWES introduced a bill to amend
the National currency Act. Referred.
The bill reserving the public lands for
actual settlers came up. Various amend
ments were suggested, but without any
action thereon the bill went over till
Tuesday next
The report declaring Mr.. HADI4EY, Of
Alabama, q sitting member, entitled 10 his
seat, was agreed to.
A bill from the Committee of Com
merce, for the appointment of shipping
commissioners, in the interest OF sailors
and commerce, came up. lfi'ls.
Mr.. WooD argued against the bill, re.
garding it as impracticable of execution,
In the interest of those hostile to the
sailor, and as imposing unjust burdens on
ship owners. He presented u remon-
STRANGE against the bill signed by three.
iourths ol the ship owners OF New York.
Mr.. WooD further said TINT he was Op.
posed to the proposed mode ol of appoint
ing the Commissioners, and said he
thought 1t would be better 10 leave the
appointment OF the Commissioners in
New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Balti.
more and such large ports TO the Cham.
bers OF Commerce Of those cities, or to
the Governors of the States.
Mr.. BUTLER, of Mass, suggested the
Boards Of Underwriters.
Mr.. WooD said that tho Underwriters
had only pecuniary interest ia the matter,
looking only to the protection Of property.
He wanted more than that, he wanted to
look TO the protection Of sailors, and sug.
gested TeCommittal of the bill. de.
Mr.. CoNeER, who reported the bill,
defended it in It's principles and details
and replied to the arguments OF WooD
against it. He exhibited memorial
from the Chamber OF Commerce of New
York IN favor of the bill.
Mr.. WOOD remarked that not one.tenth
OF the members Of the New York Cham.
ber of Commerce were ship.owners; they
were lawyers, bankers, traders and rail
road speculators.
MIR. CoNGER resumed his remarks and
exhibited a resolution and memorials in
favor OF the bill passed by the Importers
and Grocersl~ Board OF Trade OF New
York, and by the American Seamcn't
Friend society. He also claimed that the
editorials Of the leading papers of New
York were in favor of the bill.
Mr.. w. H. RoBERTs suggested or
amendment to the bill, giving the ap
pointment OF the Shipping Commissioners
to the Governors of States, and reducing
the schedule Of fees.
Mr.. CoNGER was willing 10 allow
amendments to be offered, but said thai
the schedule Of fees had been prepared by
the New York Chamber of Commerce.
MIR. WOOD offered an amendment to ex
empt regular steamship lines from the
operation OF this law.
Mr.. CoN1ER explained that that was
sufficiently provided for in other sections
of the bill.
Mr.. HALE moved an amendment to al
low the duties Of Shipping Commissioner
to be performed by masters Of vessels in
ports where there are no such commits.
sioners or collectors OF customs. Adopted
Mr. WooD offered IN amendment pro
viding tor penalty of not over $1,000
against o ship captain that takes on board
a sailor who is drunk. Agreed to.
Mr.. WooD also offered an amendment
to strike from the Goth section the last foul
lines which allow fees to Commissioner
for hearing and deciding cases in dispute
Mr.. BUTLER, Of Massachusetts, said II
was intended to have an additional section
to the bill providing that all fees shall be
paid into the treasury; and that Commits
sioners shall be paid salaries.ii 2 i
MIR. WooD said he would object 10 theil
being made salaried officers and thought
it better, however, to press his amend
ment, and it was agreed to. The bill fur
ther provides that American vessels which
have been registered in foreign countries
since the 1st Of January, 1861, may, within
two years trom the enactment of the bill
be registered as American vessels under
such regulations Us the Secretary q
the Treasury may prescribe, and
that foreign built iron ships OF moi
less than 1900 tons, when owned by
United States citizens, may within three
years be registered in this country fol
foreign trade; that all ships stores and
coal TO be used In American vessels or
voyages from the United States TO foreign
countries may be taken from bond and
disposed OF for such purposes duty free;
and that all vessels herein before men,
toned may be taken by the Government
for naval service in time OF danger, altel
due inspection and appraisement, the reg
ulations for which are minutely printed
in the bill.
The reading Of the bill by sections hat
not been. completed when, at 4:S0 p. NJ.
by'a prior order of'the House, the pfcvi
Gus question commenced 10 operate OF
the bill.
Mr.. WooD moved to re.commit the
bill, which was negatiYed.