The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-02-17
SENATE.

." 5000
WASHINGTON, Feb. GA resolution of the
Louisiana Legislature favorable to Spoford,
was introduced and printed.
Senator Logan from the military committee,
presented the minority report on the bill for
the relief of Fitz John Porter.
Senator Davis, of Illinois, spoke on the bill
reviewing the court of commissions on the
Alabama claims. Davis said "S9,553, 500
of the S15,5OO,000 awarded by the Geneva
tribunal remains in the United States Treas
ury." He argued That by the principles of the
marine insurance law the underwriters who
have Unidentified the owners of vessels for
losses become entitled TO all proceeds after
wards recovered, whether from sea, from cap
ture, or from justice of foreign states from
the property ON which the insurance was
paid.
Edmunds wishcd to express his admiration
for the very positive and ingenious argument
of the Senator from Illinois, (Davis) in favor
insurance companies, but he hoped every
Senator would examine the subject on all its
sides before reversing the former action of
Congress excluding The insurance claims, eX-
The total war losses excluded the war profits
which action was AIKEN after a full and care
full consideration OF the subject.
Blaine diSSented to the protest in the name
of his constituents and in the name of justice.
On the very threshold of the discussion of
1llS SubISNt IS ~" III lpSiSh 10 VI IdollSC
on which it rested. The men who had gorged
themselves on profits from the misfortunes
of their countrymen, were now to be author
lied to thrust their hands into the treasury in
order that their gains, already eXorbitant, may
be made eNtravagant, and frightfully so, out
of money that can be paid them only by the
repeal of the statute enacted after a most elab-
crate discussion and mature consideration.
Garland supported the bill.
Thurman asGal Nr1,y thn ynytpcip1a nnr II.
piled to underwriters could not with equal
justice be applied to vessel owners who in
sured themselves as the phrase is. If a
merchant vessel made nine successful trips
anu was lost on the tenth, why not deny his
claim for damages on the ground that he
made more by the nine trips than he lost on
the tenth? Nobody pretended that he was
obliged TO present Il balance sheet showing
the net profit on all his war business. He
hoped the Senate would not refuse justice to
the insurance companies simply because they
We're rich corporations. Senator's oaths re-
Iuired them to do justice to rich and poor
alike.
The bill was then laid aside and the special
order being the bill to authorize the Secretary
of the Interior to ascertain and certify the
amount Of laEl located with military war
rants was taken up in order to have it before
the Senate Tomorrow after the executive
session. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Feb "A joint resolution
was passed a%ppropriating $4,000 for the
United States display at the Berlin fishery
exhibition next April.
Davis motion to reconsider the question of
an inter-oceanic canal committee was taken
up on motion Of Gordon. The latter opposed
reconsideration, and said that on December
I'd lie moved to refer the subject of the canal
to the committee on commerce.. His object
in doing this 50 carly i'll the session was to
assure the distinguished representative of
Nicaragua then in Washington, and the CAPT
taiists he represented, as well as the Mica
laguau government, that this government
would not be Iaggarl in protecting an enter
prise which might be inauguratel on this
iStllmIs, and tlat We might call the attention
or this country as we'll as Europe to the fact
That there were those in the American Senate
who were ready 10 meet the issue which was
now forced upon us, and to meet it with the
affirmative declaration Of the American gov
eminent That whenever 4 canal was to be
cOnstluctad OF the American isthmu it
should be under the protection of the United
States and III The interest of American COM
merce. After" aids. i view Of the importance
Of the SuIjtct. lie had asked for a special
committee on he subject, which was appoint
ed, but DAYS (W. Na.) had objected OH the
ground Of ec"nOiny, and moved to reconsider
the vote by which the bill was passed. Gordon
spoke at some length. expressing Indignation
and establishment that the expense of employ
ing one clerk should be set against the advan-
taee of a thorough consideration OF the most
important subject of the age. Six hundred
millions of people (two thirds of the entire |
population Of the slobe) stand ready to deal
with the United States III "A commerce bound
less in scope whenever the barrier of the
isthmus is broker down. lie alluded to the
great Importance of the diplomatic questions |
involved. Was this question to be sighted
in view of the expense Of hiring a clerk to
keep the records Of the committee?
The morning hour having expired, Eaton
hoped the unanimous consent would be given
for Gordon to continue his remarks.
Edmunds thought if a further discussion
continued it should be with closed doors
under the siXty-fourth rule. There were
parts of it that could not be properly openly
considered without violating the rules. How
ever, he would not Insist on the motion at
present.
Gordon resumed his remarks, saying tina
he wished to say nothing about treaty stipu-
lations, ETC., this morning. The elaboration
that was asked for was just what he desired
to obtain by the appointment of a committee.
1t had been said that Great Britain would get
twenty dollars to our one dollar on commerce |
through the canal whoever controlled it,. Is
it to be presumed Great Britain will obtain
less of the lions share of when the
canal is controlled by Great Britain or France
if managed or controlled by America? Are
we to protect
Mr.. Edmunds-Mr. President, | rise to
privileged motion under the Gath rule. l
move the doors be closed.
Mr.. Gordon-I accede to the motion. |
see it will be necessary.
Mr.. McDonald-I cali for the regular order.
Vice President-Tha motion is in order.
The regular order bill to authorize the Sec
IetaIy of the Treasury to ascertain the amount
Of land located on military warrants in certain