The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-09
OUR MEk CHANT MARINE VA! !!NgIIE E,
PLANS for Its Revival-Bills To Be Intro.
duced Providing Subsidies for Ship
builders-The China MALTA Ma
t0nal Shipping Registry.
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHY
The Republican Caucus and the
- National Convention.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8. 1872.
Business In the House-Mr. Cox Expatiating
On Boomerang-The House Completing
the Drawing for Seats-A Laugh at Mr.
Randall.
The Educational bill passed to-day as amended
yesterday, and Immediately upon Its passage the
subject OF redrawing seats was brought up. With
out much skirmsnlng the question was brought to
vote and the drawing ordered. Mr.. Cox, being
entitled TO hour In which to close the debate had
occasion 10 make one OF his very funny
speeches, which kept the House In roar OF
laughter. The members all gathered around him.
forming ''standing committee" Mr.. Cox took
exception to the word boomerang" which Mr..
w. A. Roberts, OF New York. had applied to him
during this discussion, and to show how unjust the
application to him was, he sent Webster's Una
bridged Dictionary to the Clerks desk to have
the definition OF that WORD read. This
produced great merriment, especially that part
which referred to the motion OF the
MISSILE which is to fall near the place from which 1t
IL thrown, or even in the rear OF II. He dscalmed
any thought intention Of bringing about this I'M
mense excitement, but was Influenced by desire
70 facilitate the public business. This funny scene
was too much for the dignity OF Mr. Randall, OF
Pennsylvania, who could not allow 1t to pass
without protest. lie rose to point
OF order, and bullying in, as he al
ways does. said he failed to see in
the arcical scene any Of the dignity selfrespect
which ought to clothe the House of Representatives
Of the United States. Mr.. Cox promptly replied
that neither did he when looking at the face OF the
member from Pennsylvania This reply turned the
laugh on Mr.. Randall, who suhsded. The House
was evidently in a mood for fun, and Mr.. Cox fur
ntshed it for them. After making few remarks IN
regard to the many reasons why the seat occupied
by himself was not desirable seat for himself he
Inclined 10 use any more Of the hour allotted to
him, ana the vote was taken. The greatest good
nature now prevailed. as members proceeded to
the unpleasant duty OF changing seats and asso-
ciates. As Is usual, the members took places out
pide the last row OF seats, and stood until their
names were called. Mr.. Dawes being permitted
nrst to take his seat, as q matter OF courtesy to
him as chairman Of the Ways and Means Commit.
tee. After the last seat was drawn, and compli-
ments, congratulations and coincidence exchanged,
HI. Stevenson, Of OHIO, moved to adjourn. This
met with faint protest. Mr.. Garfield not being in
his seat. ana the generalization complete, the
motion was promptly sustained. 1t is confidently
hoped now that this question. seemingly OF more
importance than tariff taxation or revenue reform,
being disposed or the business Of legislation. which
has been seriously interfered with in staving or
action upon 1t 30 long, will be allowed to go on.
Plans to stimulnte Shipbuilding.
Secretaries Boutwell, and Robson were before the
House Committee on Commerce, and presented
bheir views at length as to the measures they
advise for the revival Of American maritime trade
Mr.. Boutwell, argues In support OF bounties as set
forth in hts annual report He does not believe
that drawback on ship materials Will revive CON-
merce, building or freighng, and suggests that all
American iron steamships employed in the foreign
trade should receive q bounty annually for five
years OF $13 per ton the vessels not to be less than
R50O tons burden. The Secretary OF the Navy
desires authority to build number OF swift iron
cruisers at private yards and thinks the stimulus
thus given viii do much to revive iron ship build
ing.
The bill presented by Secretary Boutwell, author
ICES the secretary Of the Treasury to offer bounty
Of not more than ten dollars per ton, to be paid
each year for period Of five years, for The con.
BtructiOn the United States Of iron steamships Of
not less than 1000 tons each; the bounties to be
paid not exceeding 500 900 in the aggregate
nor for more than 900 tons in any one year; the
said vessels to be employed exclusively in foreign
srade. The Secretary shall give public notice that
proposals will be received for the construction OF
OOOO tons upon the Atlantic coast Is 600 tons upon
the great lakes and Mississippi River, and 5000
tons upon the Pacific coast. The vessels shall be
first class, and be constructed after such plans.
models and specifications as shall have been first
approved by the Bureau OF Construction and Re-
pairs OF the Navy Department. and the govern
ment may at any time purchase or
charter said vessels or require them to carry mails
between the United States and any foreign coun-
try, and payment shall be made therefor Of
any such sums as shall be ascertained and
determined by five dlsinterested persons three OF
whom shall pe appointed Dy the President Of the
United states and two by the owner or owners Of
any vessel that may be 30 taken or employed and
the Secretary Of the Navy may detail an officer OF
the navy, not above the rank Of lieuten-
ant to serve as second ofncer, or of1cer OF
inferior position, board of any vessel that NAV
be built under the authority OF the first sections of
tns act, and upon the request of the owner OF any
such vessel he may detail offlcer Of the navy to
serve as commanding oilcer If consistent
with public interests There shall be al
lowed and paid, under such regulations
~ shall be established by the Secretary Of the
Treasury upon any irst class sailing vessel. II not
less than 400 tons burden, hereafter launched and
nnished and to be employed exclusively In the
foreign trade, including the trade between At
oantic and Pacific ports Of the United States the
sum of So for each and every ton OF registered
tonnage Of such vessel
There snail be allowed and paid under sucn regu.
latons shall be established by the Secretary Of the
Treasury, upon every first class sailing vessel OF not
less than .0o tons burden hereafter launched aud
nnished and authorized to engage not more Than
three months In any one calendar year in the coast
Ing trade OF the United States, the sum Of So for
each ton Of the registered tonnage OF any
such vessel. II the owner OF any ves-
Bel on which bounty shall have been
paid snail desire to have such vessel
enrolled ana licensed for coasting trade such au.
ihoriv may be granted BY the Secretary Of the
Treasury upon the repayment Of the amount origi.
nally paid by government, after making deduction
Oh zen per cent for each year that such vessel may
nave been In service provided that least fifty per
cent Of The amount originally paid shall be refunded
20 government. For the period Of I'VE years there
snail De allowed and paid to the owner or owners
Oh any vessel engaged In the cod or macKere
nsuery upon the Atlantic Ocean or its