Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-09
PORTYSEvGNTH CONGRESS.
second session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan 9.

Presidential succession bill. Mr.. Dawes
approved heartily of the bill except one
feature, the provision that the acting Presi-
ident should continue to the end of the reg
ular term.
Mr.. Sherman said the bill provided for all
possible vacancies in the office Of President,
and he would vote for it, and against the mo-
ton to recommit.
Mr. Blair said he would vote to recommit
the bill, because he thought it failed entirely
to meet the practical requirements of the
case. He argued, as did Mr.. Ingalls,, tina:
the bill was fatally defective in not provid-
ing some method for ascertaining the fact
of the Presidents inability.
Mr.. Edmunds spoke in favor of his mo-
ton to recommit the bill in its present shape !;
it was open to many objections. and if passed
would open more difficulties than would e.
suit from letting the question stand as was.
Mr.. Hoar spoke of the necessity for &C
ton and argued that the motion to recommit
was equivalent to attacking the bill. With
out reaching vote the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Bedford of Colorado, asked unani-
nous consent to put on its passage the Sem
ate bill increasing the fees of the star route
witnesses coming from west of the Missis-
sippi river.
Mr.. Mcmillan of Tenn, objected, and the
bill was referred to the committee on judi
ciary with leave to report any time.
Mr.. Robson of New Jersey, suggested
that no person had charged John Bailey by
name with corruptly influencing Congress.
Mr.. Klatz of Pennsylvania, said that he
bad made the remarks upon which the reso-
luton was based, and that he had, in these
remarks. referred to John Bailey. John
Bailey had been kept here since 1855 through
the influence of the gas company, and both
parties had been unable to turn him out.
Mr.. Robson made point of order that
the resolution was not heard on any specific
charge until somebody was ready to make a
charge and make it on his own responsibility.
Men who take into consideration their own
consistency and the propriety of Congress
sional action would not vote for it.
Mr.. Murch considered this but a technical
objection. The charge had been made
against this chief clerk, and the clerks name
is John Bailey.
Mr.. Blouns of Georgia, opposed the point
of order.
Mr.. Hazelton of Wisconsin, said that
similar attempt against Bailey had been
made in previous Congresses.
Mr.. Murch commended that allegations had
been made, and he believed them to be true
hOUCSOu-AA tIc kcUtleuldu stOpS
there | will withdraw my point of order.
EAU right" replied Mr.. Murch, and the
resolution was adopted.
The shipping bill was taken up. Mr.. Rea-
gan of Texas. favored many of the pro-
visions of the bill, but was opposed to Sec
ton Is.
Mr.. Murch of Maine. as a question of
privilege, offered resolution for the ap-
pointment of a special committee of FIVE to
investigate the charge made on the floor that
John Bailey. chief clerk of the House, was
acting in the interest of the Washington Gas
Light Co. and influencing Congressional
action.
Mr.. Reagan believed the real remedy for
the decay of the shipping industry was re-
duction of tariff.
Mr.. Dingley inquired whether if labor
could be obtained at the same price here as
abroad, ships could not be built as cheaply in
this country on the Clyde, and whether
Mr.. Reagan would wish to reduce the price
of American labor?
Mr.. Reagan replied that he wished to see
the rate of taxatit n which would let the
country down from its stills to practical,
honest, business relations. so that the low est
rate of wages would have the same purchas-
ing power as the present rate. The real
remedy was to reduce taxation to the reve-
nue. stanuaru
Mr.. Gambler advocated the bill He did
not think single section could be omitted
withou: working injury to it. He would
favor the amendment of the minority, pro-
viding for free ships if the proviso were
adopted, and he would offer it as an amend
ment, applying it only to vessels of more
than 1900 tons register, to be exclusively
employed in the foreign carrying trade and
not in the coastwise trade, excepting between
ports on the Atlantic and Pacific.
Mr.. Cox expressed his Willingness to &C.
cept Mr.. Gamblers amendment.
Mr.. Gambler said, as his amendment had
been accepted by the gentleman from New
York, he believed there was a hope of adopt
ing free ship provision. He wanted to say
to his republican friends that this was not a
question of tree trade and could not be
strained into any such construction.
Mr., Murch favored the bill, though argu-
ing that it gave only partial relief to the
ship owner and shipbulder, and he gave
notice that he would, at a proper time, offer
amendments which would, in his opinion,
benefit the shipping interest.
The bill then went over until tomorrow
without action, and the House adjourned