The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-23
A Motion to Extend the Potter Iu-
vestigation Adopted.
EVIL EFFECTS OF THE REGISTRY LAW.
The Neutrality Act as Construed by the
Administration.
THE ARMY BILL IN THE HOUSE.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, May %. 1878.
THE PRESIDENTIAL TITLE-A DEMoCRAT's
RESOLUTION THAT NO ATTACK UPON 1T is
INTENDED BY THE POTTER INVESTIGATION
DEFEATED BY REPUBLICANS.
Tho republicans, under the lead OF Mr.. Hale. lifted
their hands against Presidential title this aftcr
noon The Potter resolution put through last Fri.
day matter party discipline but against the judy
nent OF many democrats who arc dissatisfied that Il
does explicitly deny tho intention to attack the
Presidential title This dissatisfaction made Itsolf
public to-day in resolutions introduced by Mr. Carter
Harrison, Of Illinois, In these words:-
whereas select committee OF this House has been
appointed to inquire into certain frauds alleged to
have been committed in Florida and Louisiana 10 Mo-
vember 1876 III connection with returns OF
electors for President and Vice President and
And whereas IL Is charged that frauds OF a like
character were committed at the same time In the
States Of Oregon and South Carolina therefore be II
Received, That said committee DO and !. Is hereby
empowered to inquire into the same IT. IN It's opinion,
testimony thereon OF substantial character shall BIZ
presented TO II; aud be II further
Resolved, That the senate and House OF Rcpr esen-
tatves OF the Forty fourth Congress- having counted
the electoral votos for President ana vico President
aud Il having been declared that X. b. Hayes had
cevcd the highest number OF votes for President aud
William A. Wheeler the highest number OF votes for
Vice President IL is not in the of Congress-
nor il ! the purpose OF this House, through said
vestgation, TO annu or attempt annul the action
OF the Forty fourth Congress IN tho premises.
Mr.. HARRISON asked their consideration as privi.
legged question 10 which, of course, they D.
titled as germane TO the Potter resolution, and tho
republicans. who have made such an ado about the
Potter resolution, sgniiying revolutionary attack
on the Presidential title, had now the opportunity,
II they were sincere, TO vote for Mr.. Harrison's
amendment, and thus definitely settle this
matter. The republican leaders anxiously
consulted for awhile, and then told their
people not to vote, and tho result OF this
was that though ten republicans did VOTE there was
onco moro no quorum, and Mr.. Harrison's sensible
resolution was denisl admission and was thus do
their mouths. II some democrats mediate attack
the Presidential title the OF the republican
side have clearly announced that they freely consent
10 this design. Their act to-day shows far
moro revolutionary intent than anything tho demo-
Gratis have SO far done.
The vote was very significant In the nrst place, Of
the Potter com mi,tec. only one member Mr.. Black.
burn, voted against Mr.. Harrison's resolutions All
Ne ohers except thrcc absent voted for Mr.. Harr-
son, and consequently voted that Is In tue
power OF Congress, nor Ia II the purpose OF this
House, through said nnnul attempt
70 annui Tho action OF the Fortytourth Congressnia
settling the Presidency.
Seventy ono democrats voted in favor OF Mr. Har-
risen's resolution and therefore against reopeung
The Presidential question: and only nfy voted against
Mr.. Harrifon and presumably in favor OF reopeuing
the Presidency though Mr.. Mills, OF Texas, who voted
"Nayn today was understood tho other day to stand
with Mr.. HARRISON. OF tho nfiy who, by this record,
appear 10 favor attack the Presiden tial title,
eleven democrats and two republicans dro from
Northern States the remaining South
ern men, and iron Kentucky, two from Ten
nessee. two from Texas, two from Missouri, three
Ida, South Carolina and louisiana, three from Ar
kansas, seven iron Alabama and six from Georgia.
o. the scventy-onc who voted with Mr.. Harrison,
end therefore against rcopcning the Presidential tsc
only ten are republicans. OF the sxtyone democrats
tweniy-iour Northern aud thirty seven Southern
men oil the Northern men Ave IRON New York,
five from illinois, three each from Pcnnsylvauia and
Ohio the remainder bong scattering OF the Southern
men, there tour IRON each OF tho States OF Tenncs
Soc Virgins, Maryland and Missouri, from North
Carolina, three from Texas, from Louisiana,
Alabama, Mississippi and West Virginia. two from
Kentucky. The House by full. only
one member IRON Louisiana voting at all, and other
delegations being thinly represented.
THE REGISTRY LAw--DIsApvASTAGrs UNDER
WHICH AMERICAN MERCHANTS LADoR-FgEE
SHIPS The Only REMEDY
7 In the form In which IL was reported TO the Com
miitce Of Ways and Means the Wood Tariff bill con.
tanned a clause allowing registry a vessels owned
wholly by citizens OF tho United states" This was
struck out by the committee, but Mr.. WOOD hopes,
during tho present week, TO get an opportu-
nifty 10 report a special bill 10 the House to tho
samo effect The adjournment - nenr nj hand that
Ills doubtful whether such bill can be acted on by
both houses by either but 1sre Senators as well
o. representative, who speak on the SUBJECT
and It 10 possible that the senate may yet hold
lively debate upon tue subject OF free
ships. Tho recent report OF consuls on our
foreign commerce published BY the State De-
partment contains number OF compia nts
OF tho disability under which commcro, lies Tor
the lack OF American ships TO carry Productions.
II Is generally urged by consuIs that Congress snail
supsdizc steamer limos 10 various psrts OF tho world
but long experience shown that these subsidized
lines do little toward establishing prosp porous trade
We had monthly subsidized limo to Brazil
Tor ten years, but ihe owners took their
steamers on tho moment they had drawn their
last subsidy dollar and Lois 10 Arm OF enisrprisng
merchants to put on new line TO RIO without sab
sidy. Subsidized lines arc almost invariably IN the
ships mausgeo BY merchants In a legitimate way, and
what the merchants demand tho right 10 buy ships
where thcy can buy them cheapest and best.
With our foreign trade oncc more Increasing and
every productive interest In the country demanding
It's rapid increase Ia order that may be able 10 sell
our surplus products to advantage abroad. the last
report OF tho Secretary OF the Treasury shows
that the registered tonnage OF American vessels
which includes all engaged In the foreign trade ac
tualy decreased nearly fifteen per cent during tho
last year. The Secretary says on this head
The prcpondersnce OF foreign tonnage over domcs.
TIC carry ing on the foreign commerce OF the coun
try rs certainly not In accordance with the national
desire. Such an increase IN our shipping viii re-
this commerce TO American citizcns should, as
possible, without burdcning other industries DO
encouraged by legislation.
In this case, as In so many others, tho only en-.
couraecment needed is to strike on tho Statute Book
on antlquatcd and mischicvous law ana allow our
merchants 10 buy thoir ships where they buy TO
the most advantage. II was lately pointed out to
some members OF Congress, to their astonish.
meni, that the only three articles the imporia.
ton Of which IS prohibited by our laws