Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-21
TELEGRAPH
TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
Forty Second Congressional Session
WASHINGTON, 20.
House..

House.
Mr.. Conger reported bill to authorize the
appointment of shipping commissioners to
superintend the shipping and discharge of
seamen on American merchant ships, and for
the further protection of seamen. He ex-
planned that the bill was modelled upon the
English law on that subject and received the
approval of the mercantile community, and
that the commissioners are to be appointed
by the United States circuit judges. The
bill is very v0luminous, containing sixty
seven sections. Shipping articles or agree
ments are to be signed by each seaman In the
presence of a commissioner. Any ship car
rying seaman to sea except a stowaway with
out his signing such an agreement, shall in
cur penalty of 5000 Supulations for
allotment of wages must be inserted in the
agreement. No advanced wages or advanced
notes shall be given to any person but the
seaman himself. The seamen are to be dis
charged and receive their wages in the pres
ence of shipping commissioner, and receive
a certificate of discharge. All disputes be-
tween masters and seamen are to be decided
by the commissioner. The commissioner is
to take charge of the wages and effects of
'seamen dying in the United States and de-
liver the same to the United States circuit
court of the district. After considerable dis
the bill went over till tomorrow.
The House at 2 80 went into committee of
the whole on the post Office appropriation
bill, the pending question being on the in
crease of of the subsidy to China mail steam
ers.
A lengthy discussion followed, during
which Mr.. Peters of Maine spoke of the great
depression of the shipping interests, saying
that on the Canadian side of the st. Croix
river there were numerous vessels being
built, while on the American side having sim
liar interests not hammer was heard.
Mr.. Crockers amendment permitting the
government to take possession OF steamers IN
case of war was agreed to.
Mr.. Farnsworth's substitute keeping the
| subsidy at half million and allowing the ser
| vice to be performed by foreign built ships
| was rejected--65 to SO.
The agreement making the service semi
| monthly and the compensation million dol
| lars was defeated-67 to 62.
The announcement of the vote was ap-
plauded on the democratic side.
Adjourned.
SENATE.
Several amendments were offered and re-
jected, and the bill reported from the finance
committee was passed.
Mr.. Caldwell, from committee en- Indian
affairs, reported bill to confirm the sales of
Shawnee Indian lands in Kansas
Mr.. Sherman moved to resume the con-
sideration of the tatiff bill
Mr. Chandler announced that he would op
pose the consideration of the tariff bill at
every stage, because he regarded it a bill on
which the Senate ought not to waste mo-
ment.
The bill was taken up and Mr.. Morrill, of
Vermont addressed the Senate at length.
Mr.. Hamilton of Md, followed with an
argument against protective and in favor of
a revenue tariff.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen obtained the floor but
Welded to a motion for an executive session
which was carried, and the Senate soon after
adjourned.