The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-12

Oepartmonts M C0nk iing's speech was well
Delivered ana his manner graceful beyond even his
usual won't Senators listened quite attentlvely,
though Mr.. Sumner as is his custom, assumed IN
difference by engaging himself buslly In writing.
Some of Mr.. ConKling's references were quite
pointed ana his manner lent zest to them, as in
appearing 10 refer to Mr.. Nye, who sits next to the
Massachusetts, Senator, he quite evidently aimed at
the latter
Mr.. sumner was more than usually dignifed in
manner when IN reply he declared he should not
notice Mr.. Conklings innuendoes and insInuatlons,
and would content himself as to his argument by
having read portion Of Mr.. Wade's speech, made
In 1886. in favor OF similar proposition 10 the one
combated by Mr. Conkling. Mt. Wilson moved to
postpone debate till Monday, which was agreed to,
and the Senate then adjourned.
The Custom House Investigation In Washing
ton Circles-The Babcock sIess-The Trib-
une's Casus BelII. sl
The developments before the Senate Committee
now in session In New York are attracting much
attention here The democrats are rejoicing over
the tone Of the evidence which has been
elected by Nj. Bayard, especially about the connec-
ton Of the Presidents with Colonel LeeI Those who
think, however, that there Will be no defence. or in
other words, no evidence rebuiting what has been
adduced mistake the temper Of The men who sur
round the administration. So lar as the story
OF Leet paying portion Of the mess bills OF Bah
cock and Porter Is concerned 1t Is said that this
famous mess, which attracted so much attention at
the outset OF the administration, was composed Of
BabcocK, Porter and Badeau the present Consul
Generals to London. Colonel Leet was never o
member OF It, and only came here as Q guest now
and then. It will furthermore be shown
that the President distinctly instructed Mr..
Murphy that II Colonel Leet or any one else
held once or In any way enjoyed patron
age on account OF any supposed connection
with the President he should DO dismissed Fur.
thermore 1t VIII DO shown that Mr.. Murphy had
made arrangements 70 dismiss Mr.. Leet ana give
the patronage to Mr.. Lanin, the present Naval
Ofncer, when the President appointed Mr.. Lanin
Naval O1lce.. and 90 prevented H. Mr. Lanin was
an especial protegs Of Mr.. Conkline's. and being
kindly. busy, sssiduous man, had made many
friends. 30 when business misfortunes came upon
him Mr.. Conkling and his friends arranged
that the Leet business should be trans
fered to him. Another important fact Will
be brought out. to the eject that shortly
after Mr.. Murphy became Collector he was waited
upon by John +. Cleveland formerly Assessor In the
Thirty-second district, and the brother-inlaw OF
Mr.. Horace Greeley, who asked him for a share Of
this general order business. and that when this was
declined by Mr.. Murphy the Tribune suddenly be-
came cold and began its war upon the Collector.
and said to-day to caller that he hoped the investi
gallon would be searching and thorough.
General Babcock and General Porter have
both expressed desire to 60 before the
committee. Another peculiar story In circulation
is that the sudden and inexplicable attacks upon
Babcock and Porter In the four cent coppernead Or
gan Of New York are indirectly inspired by the
State Department The editor of that newspaper Is
the companion ana friend or Sidney Webster, the
son-in-law Of the Secretary Of State, and as con.
sequence every phase OF the Secretary's policy on
Spain, in the Catacazy matter and 80 on, has been
endorsed by this paper. The attacks upon BabcocK
and Porter are supposed to come from Webster,
because Of the friendship Of these two young
men for Judge Pierrepont and their desire to
have him In the State Department. II is no secret
mere that they, especially General Babcock. had
urged Pisrrepont's appointment, and as conse.
quence the assaults OF the copperhead organ OF the
Secretary Of State.
The Revival Of Our Maritime Power-Bills
Before the Committee ON Commerce.
me- promises to be interesting debate over
the BiIls relating to maritime commerce, which
heye-iaeen presented ana referred, all but one
that Of Mr.. Hale, OF Maine-to the Committee on
CSmmerce. In the last Congress special committee
Of the HoSse investigated the whole matter OF ocean
trade and ships ana our decline as marlt;me
Committee on Commerce, was chairman Of that
Special investigation. AS result Of It's labors two
bills were reported. One RENTED all duties on ship
building materials and allowed bounty equivalent to
their amount on all American material used. 1t also
provided that American vessels engaged In the for.
eign carrying trade should be paid bounty Of so
per ton for sailing vessels; the same on steam ton.
mage to North American provincial p0rs for steam
ers to and from European ports. "a, and for all
others So per ton. The other bill provides
that tonnage tax OF thirty cents be
levied on all vessels engaged In the for
eign carrying trade; also aboshing harbor
dues, compulsory pilotage, &c. These bills were
not adopted, and at the beginning Of the present
session MIR. Lynch rentroduced them in slightly
different form. The rst OF his PROPOSITIONS relieves
shipbuilding materials OF duties and gives equlva-
lent bounty for use Of American materials
1t also allows ship stores to be taken
from bond duty free for foreign voyages.
The second bill includes the tonnage tax and bounty
per ton, In two sections, and the third bill aboshes
local dues, harbor compulsory pllotage and port
charges. Mr.. Halls Dill proposes simply to remit
the duties on materials, and Mr.. Negley has
introduced o similar bill to that of MI.
Lynch. abolishing compulsory pilotage. Neither
measure proposes to interfere with the power
of the State Legislatures to regulate pilotage.
Both bills are alike. and the first section
reads as follows:-
That no harbor dues, pilotage fees or other taxes
on imports levied pretended to be levied on the
tonnage merchandise, trade. imports or cargoes OF
any vessel by virtue OF the authority OF any State
or municipal government except wharfage, pier.
age and dockage shall be collected, and
the collection or attempt TO collect the
same or any portion thereof shall be
a penal offence to be punished as hereinafter pro-
vided: Provided, That nothing in this act shall be
construed as to prevent the collection OF piotage
fees where q regular licensed pilot has been en-
ployed by the master, owner, agent or consignee OF
any vessel or cargo and actual service rendered:
And provided further, That the rights Of Legisla-
lures Of the several states to prescribe the method
or appointment OF pilots and fixing the rates OF
Its jurisdiction shall not be interiered with.
The amount Of relief Afforded In the way Of free