The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-21
PROCEEDINGS. OF CONGRESS.


PROCEEDINGS. OF CONGRESS.
SENATE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1870.
Mr.. VOORHEES,, (dern) of Ind, in accordance with
previous notice, called up the resolution submitted
by him on the 10th Of April last. inssructing the
Committee Pensions to report bill making pro-
vision for placing tho Of the surviving soldiers
of the Mexican war the pension rolls. in order
that Mr.. Shields. Of Missouri, might address the
Senate on that subject.
SPEECH OF GENERAL SHIELDS.
Mr.. SHIELDS (dem.) Of Mo-. said he thanked the
Senate for giving him an opportunity to speak few
words for his old comrades Of tho Mexican
He hoped Congress would pass the proposed bill
and do generous justice to the Mexican veterans.
The soldiers Of the last war had been treated with
just and very commendable liberality The reason
why the bill granting pensions to Mexican soldiers
had not been passed was account of calculations
of the Pension Bureau That bureau had reported to
Congress larger army Of Mexican veterans alive to-
day than stood on Mexican soil at one time with
arms in their hands The wonder that any in
telligent Congress could place confidence in such
report. Throughout the whole Union to-day there
were not over eleven thousand Mexican veterans
alive. Scott. Taylor. Pillow and Gushing were oil
gone-all dead; and he (Adr. Shieds) the humblest
Congress
to do something, and do it speedily. If
action should be deferred few moro ses-
sions it would DO too late to pass tho BILL
There was one regiment from South Carolina which
reached Mexico with 100 men, At the close Of the
war it numbered 30 men, and there were but eight
members of that regiment living to-day. Ho referred
to the victories Of army In Mexico and said il had
been said they had nothing but Mexicans TO fight
That was true. but there were plenty of them Ask
the soldiers Of France. - brave lived and
they would tell you that no men were less afraid Of
death than the Mexicans. If this government should
ever undertake to walk over Mexico again with tho
same expectations of the same results before IL
would be disappointed. He argued that Mexican
property and Mexican honor were well protected
during the occupation Of Mexico by tho American
army they ever had been before SINCE
He spoke of the bravery Of the American army in
Mexico and gave personal "reminiscences Of that war;
He did not believe single soldier who served in tho
spoke Of the value Of the territory acquired by the
Mexican war. the rich gold and silver mines found
therein and In conclusion: appealed to Congress to
for to help them the downhill OF life. Give them
the pttance to help them that last march to that
field from which no warrior ever returns. Zap
plause.)
Tho Senate then resumed consideration Of unfin-
ished business, being the Post Office Appropriation
bill, the pending question being on the amendment
Of Mr. Bailey of Tennessee. to limit the contract for
Brazilian mail service to FIVE years instead Of tcn a.
reported by the committee.
After some discussion the amendment Of Mr.
Bailey wns rejected-yeas %, nays 81.
Mr.. EAroN, ldem.) Of Conn, moved 10 amend so as
TO strike out the words requiring that the vessels
american built and owned and insert in lieu
thereof q clause requiring that they be ''owned.
commanded and manned by citizens Of the United
States" In support Of this amendment he argued
not left for John Roach The Pacific Mail Steamship
Company had eight vessels, the Philadelphia and Liv
ns While John Ro.eh ad S%
four ships suitable for this service for sale
In reply TO question Of MFR. Dorsey. Of Arkansas,
Mr.. Eaton said he meant by his amendment that citi
zens Of the United States might buy foreign ships
and compete for this contract.
taSo a ship built by foreign mechanics. why not
have ii manned by foreign sailors?
Mr.. EATON replied that the most brilliant victories
achieved on water under the American flag had
been by Americans upon foreign built ships.
Mr.. BLAINE said that under the amendment of the
Senator from Connecticut any British ship In New
York Harbor could discharge her crew. ship Amer
lean crew, have American officers and do the work.
Mr.. EATON said the senator had no right to place
such q construction on hts amendment. II provided
the ships should be owned by Americans. How did
the Senator from Maine know Mr. Roach owned his
ships'
were built in American yard where 900 had
been paid to American mechanics which money I'M
der the policy of the Senator OF Connecticut would
have been spent IN Europe
The amendment of Mr.. Eaton rciectcd-yeas
10, nays -.
BOTH LINES NEITHER.
providing that neither contract should be considered
In force II the service on either line DO abandoned or
discontinued.
Mr. HILL. (dcm) of Ca. said no was supporting
this bill for the benefit of the whole country and not
for tho bcncnt Of John Roach, whom he did not
know. He felt that he was instructed by his people
TO for the bill II had received very general APP
proyal throughout the south. This the begin
ming Of q in the South. The who industrial
system OF that section had been changed. The
South expected to become o manufacturing Sec
ton. She looked forward TO tho dry when
the cotton raised there would DO manufac-
tured thcro. He looked forward TO the time
when the manufacturing capital OF New England
would be transferred to the south. The South
wanted o market She believed South America, Cen
trail America and the West Indies would afford such
built up. The people OF the south wanted
help. He would be frank. Help the New Orleans
line and IL would soon be profitable.
The amendment OF Mr.. Eustis was agreed to-ycas
95, nays Is.
Mr. KERSAs, tiemJ Of N. ", submitted an amend
ment to insert the word nautical so that IL should
read such mail carriage to be paid for at not exceed
ing $50 per nautical mile. Rejected.
Mr. MORRILL,, (rcpl OF VT, submitted amend
mcnt to pay $40 per mile Instead OF $40 per mile for
the service. lietcctcd-ycas %. nays 80.
EXISTING TnADE WITH BRAzrIs
Mr. WHYrE of Maryland, said the senate, having
adopted amendments providing for two lines %
steamships and indicating It's purpose pay out OF
the Treasury of the United States large sums OF
money to open up our commerce. he desired TO call
attention to tho tact that tho great trade Brazil
heretofore had been carried on between three por-
tions OF the United States and Brazil. Last year New
York imported from Brazil ,057 900 bags OF coffee
baltimore 900 bags and New Orleans 2rtWD.
Tho constitution further declared that preferenco