The New York herald., 1876-02-03
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON Feb. 2 1876
THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
LIMITING THE PRESIDENTIAL TERM-THE
ALLUREMENTs OF THE oFFIcE-FAuURE TO
PASS THE HOUSE.
The debate on the proposed constitutional amend
ment limiting the Presidential term continued in
the House to-day. It closed by Mr.. Knott Chair
man OF the Judiciary Committee, who in the of
his remarks, thus pictured the alurements of tho
Presidential Office
salary of $50 O0O mansion sustained in a style Of
luxury that few persons dreamed OF, furnished,
paired and heated annual expense Of s26 600,
with the very air breathed there perfumed by rare
exotcs, propagatcd in $65, 900 garden house. main
ained at an annual expense Of $1,000 private secre
tary at So, 900 year TO do the Presidents writing
two assistant secretaries at 81, 500 year. to
do the work Of the private secretary; two
clerks 81 $50 to do the work of the assistant
taries Qaughter); steward at So 600 supply the
Presidents table with the choicest wines and the rich
est vands that could tempt or satiate his appette
with So 900 year for books, periodicals. stationery
kilograms and IA comcal pause) other contingencies.
What that meant he did not know but he thanked God
for the contingencies" Haughter II the children
OF Israel sighed for the aeshpots OF Egypt what
be the anguish OF sensitive soul when taking last
long farewell OF such salary and luxures
Several unimportant amendments offered and
the vote was taken the passage of the bill which
was lost by 144 yeas to LOG nays
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SHIPPING
LAw-cHARGEs AGAINST THE SHIPPING COM
Observation-Disclosures INTERESTED BEFORE THE
Committee ON COMMERCE..
Tho Sub Committee OF the Committee on Commerce
met to-day at ten o'clock, private session, hear
statements from Messrs g. A. Brett John Zittlosen,
Dr. Norvell. Hon. W. r. Beebe and Colonel Hencker,
representing the New York shipowners' Association;
from James J. Ferris, representing the in
favor Of tho Ward Amendment, and from c. c.
Samuel H. Hall and william Booth in favor Of the
present Shipping act and representing the seamen's
Friend Society. Nearly all OF those gentlemen made
speeches
Those Of the Snpowners' Association and the repre-
sentative Of the charged improper adminstra-
ton OF the law and that Shipping Commissioner
had applied to his the moneys that should
been paid into the Treasury OF the United States
The Commissioner had received from 100000 TO
slOO 900 year. and some OF this money had been paid
as salaries officers OF the Seamens Friend Society,"
tho Rev. s II. Hall receiving 81, 900 year. They
charged further that the Office OF tho Commissioner
was far from the Custom House, and that the law
was unconstitutional, because it's administration was
len the Judiciary instead OF tho Executive Depart
ment Of the government They urged that the law be
so changed that the Commissioner may be q salaried
officer; all fees be turned the Treasury that
Secretary OF the Treasury instead vestIng the ap
pontment with the Judge Of the United States Circuit
Court; that the fees Of shpmasters be reduced
from 81 to nfty cents aud that the fees collected
be abolished altogether This substantially proposed
by General Wards amendatory bill.
Mr.. Duncan took the ground that II impossible
for him to carry on tho business Of the Office on
cheaper scale, and, Notwithstanding the collection OF
large amount OF money, he had for years been in
debt for expenses The law he contended, was good
and should not be amended. II had stopped the
extortion Of sailor boarding house mem the crews OF
vessels had been put aboard sober in every instance
many difficulties between shpowners and sailors had
been adjusted by him free Of cost thus doing away
with expensive litigation.
There was good deal OF earnest feeling expressed
both sides, and only the Messrs
Ward, Piper and Ross-bct oIher members OF the Com
mittoe on Commerce. including the chairman, were
much interested in the proceedings