The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-11
Growing Feeling in Favor Of
Free Ships.
SECRETARY SHERMAN'S CUSTOMS BILL.
Rumors Concerning the Retirement Of
General Devens.
DEBATE ON The PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BILL.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1878.
THE CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC BILL FEELING
FAVORABLE TO FREE SHIPS
The Consular and Diplomatic bill passed the House
today in tho incomplete form in which Mr.. Single
ton the chairman Of the subcommittee having it in
charge. insisted on bringing it into the House, and
with the general expectation and desire both sides
Of the House that the Senate shall amend it and that
it's amendments shall prevail in the conference COM
mittce. Mr.. Singleton is in many respects an excel
lent man. but he has somewhat crude ideas about the
needs of the foreign service Of the govern
ment notions in which great many
Of his own party do not concur. All the other bills
10 far passed by the House have made changes of
moment from the bills of last session. it being
generally held that important changes discussed
Ind passed upon at the long session and that the
short session shall accept and follow the rule then
made by the House. which consists. Of course Of
The same members who framed the laws Of the long
session.
In the course Of the discussion on the bill to-day
General Garfield made appeal that the foreign
vice. which is of importance to the commercial in
terests Of the country should be literally dealt with.
and Mr.. Hewitt secured the adoption of . resolution
requesting the President to revise the Consular fee
system and make it conform more nearly to that Of
othe- commercial nations. He showed that the Con-
sular fees charged in Liverpool American ship
wero at least four times great those charged
British ship of the tonnage by British
Consuls. He took the occasion to make an appeal
to the House for free ships. urging that without lib
ery TO buy ships in any market where they could be
got cheapest. American commerce could not have
fair chance, and saying that the American theonly
human being who is forbidden by the laws Of his
country to buy ship to carry his own products to
market. If one might judge from the manner in
-.
House. it seems highly probable that bill granting
register and permission to carry the flag to all vessels
owned by American citizens would pass the House by
considerable majority. Mr. Beck has already intro
duced such bill in the Senate and If the friends Of
this reform active. such bill may yet pass at
this session Some Of the advocates Of subsi-
dies privately express themselves ready TO join in
supporting the passage of bill giving free ships
condition that the friends Of the latter measure shall
support their measure for subsidies for several i'm
pottant ocean routes and It is very certain that
steamer subsidy bills pass ct this session except
It can get the support Of free ships.
SECRETARY sHERMANs CUSTOMS BILI1-pRo-
TESTS FROM PARTIES INTERESTED.
1t lisa pity that the Secretary of the Treasury
not appear the floor Of the House to explain and
defend such measures and bills he prepares. The
bill changing certain customs duties and re-estabsh-
yesterday. is eminently which ought to receive
general and public discussion. 1t contains some
good and bad features, and the
easiest way to perfect it, and at the same
time to attract the attention Of the
country to 1t, would be debate in which the Secre
tary could explain it and meet those who think him,
In some particulars. mistaken. As the case stands
the bill referred to the Committee of Ways and
Means which will begin to consider it on Thursday.
and will spend good deal of time in giving hearing
TO merchants and others whose interests affected.
But such hearing in the committee room does not
inform the House. which yet needs to be informed in
order to vote wisely on the question.
The Secretarys recommendation in regard to sugar
duties which differs from that in his annual report,
has been answered by considerable number Of tele-
grams from sugar importers and rehners-in fact,
from all classes engaged in the sugar business-al
of whom unite in protesting against Mr.. Shermans
recommendations. because while his original recon-
mendation Disseminated ruinously against
the refining interest, the present suggestion
discrminstes against both high and low
grades Of sugar and is disastrous to both
commerce and the revenue. The interests At stake
in this matter very great and important for un.
wise legislation could easily throw ont Of employ
ment large number of workmen-not less than six
thousand men being employed by the reaneries Of
New York alone. Wise and liberal legislation on the
other hand. could, without injuring the revenue or
any interest in the country. largely and
Immediately increase shipping business
and commerce. and enable our rcfners
70 command the markets of the world with their
product. thorough and public debate in the House
on the question would make all this plain to the
country and would enable members to vote under
standingly. But though the Committee Of Ways
and Means is composed Of Intelligent and conscicn-
tious men. its methods necessarily stand the way
Of intelligent legislation, and at least make it very
difficult.