The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-17
XLIId CONGRESS..SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The following petit
lions were presented for the repeal of the salt
duty; for national prohibitory law against the
government manufacture of envelopes; for ma
officers who drink liquor t.
MIR. Sherman reported the finance committee
bill repeating the duties on salt and iron and
moved its recommtment, which was opposed
by MIR. Trumbull but was recommitted 81
against IS.
A resolution was adopted that the President
inform the Senate in relation to seizures of
American vessels by the revolutionary govern
ment of Venezuela.
The bill legalizing the issue of clothing to
chicago suffers and remission of duties on
building materials was taken up and Mr.. Lo-
gan advocated its passage but no action was
The bill amendatory to the act to reduce in
ternal taxes was taken up. Mr.. Scott advocat-
ed and Edmunds opposed it, when the amnesty
bill came up but Sumner was not ready to pro-
coed with his speech. After executive session
the Senate adjourned. r-.- ~
HOUSE.
The Committee on Ways and Means to-day
had the subject of syndicate before them, it
having been presented in the form of resolu-
ton by Mr.. Cox. The committee did not con-
clude the consideration. They will at an early
day report all the facts showing the action oil
the Secretary of the Treasury in the premises
but it is not probable that they will make an
recommendation.
A resolution was adopted directing the Ag-
ricultural Committee to enquire into the dispo-
sition of Agricultural College scrip.
The bill appropriating $1,000 for the employ
ment of six experienced surfmen at alternate
life saving stations on the Jersey coast, and
bill for the relief of the Chicago sufferers were
passed. r- r..
Messrs. Scofield, McCrary, Smith, On. W,
voorhees, and Marshall We're appointed COM
mlttee on the Louisiana imbroglio.
Bills We're passed paying the acting consul at
IL tf11l col nf NJ Tel,
China, at $780, u.
In connection with the latter subject, Mr..
Brooks of Massachusetts,, spoke of the only
steam vessel plying between Shanghae and
Tin Tsin. He said he deeply regretted that
class of steamers which have been hitherto
built largely in Massachusetts and Connecticut,
and which had done much for American COM
merce and American credit throughout the
whole north of China, could not longer be built
in either of those States or in any part of the
United States in consequence of the enormous
taxation ON iron, copper and cordage, and that
the whole of that great manufacture of ship
building was lost to New England. The build
ing of those ships had been transferred from
here to Glasgow on the Clyde. He would also
state as another interesting fact that Glasgow
ship-carpenters were unable to construct that
light class of river steamers which did so much
for the United States. The ships hitherto built
in America for the great rivers of China and
had contributed so much to the wealth of
the carpenters We're unwilling to adopt that
light style of ship building which prevailed in
this country and which was preferred for the
great rivers of China, so that they have been
importing into Great Britain carpenters from
New York and Connecticut who were alone
able to construct that desirable class of vessels
He mentioned these interesting facts to show
the necessity for the consul at Tien Tsin
Mr.. Farnsworth-Is that what is meant by
those who claim that the high tariff improves
a NJ 1an1a nalO
Mr.. Brooks-That question answers itself.
Mr.. arnsworth-American mechanics, 1
suppose, are improved by being exported.
MIR. Banks of Massachusetts, said it was to be
regretted that American commerce had suffer-
ed so much within the last ten twelve years,
but there were many cases which contributed
to its general prostration besides that alluded
to by Mr.. Brooks. No one regretted that fact
more than he did, and no one would be more
heartily in accord with any general movement
that would lead to the restoration of American
commerce as it existed prior to 1860.
MIR. Banks said the subject was before the
House this session and he hoped measures
would be adopted which would rees tablish
American commerce in all its prosperity and
power.
Mr.. Shellabarger of Ohio considered consuls
pay utterly disgraceful and inadequate and the
policy of this country toward foreign consus as
penny-wise and pound-foolish. afs
Mr.. Banks said that the foreign committee
and remedy the evil.
Mr.. Kelly of Pennsylvania, thought that our
consular system was disgrace to the country
He continued, that the gentleman from New
York (Brooks) had seized upon the bill as an
occasion to speak on the tariff and say that
Aerican shipbuilders were now drawn to the
Clyde to- build vessels for the Chinese waters
He thought that Mr., Brooks was mistaken
Wooden shipbuilding had sustained a greater
decline in England and the British provinces
than the United States. Three years ago 5000
skilled builders of wooden ships had been ON
poor rates at one time in London, and those
who had not gone on poor rates had been en-
ployed breaking stone on government works.
One year afterwards the wooden shipbuilders
at Quebec had bread riots by reason of
their want of employment. The changes from
wooden vessels to iron and from sail to steam
had reduced to pauperism more Britons than
any other.
Mr.. Brooks replied and long discussion fol-
lowed on shipbuilding, consular service and the
civil service generally. Mr.. Butler denounced
the civil service commission and said he was
better judge of who were fitted for office than
any broken down schoolmaster.