National Republican., 1884-05-08
FITZ-JOHN PORTER.
His Case Again Comes Before the House Of
Representatives
The Senate Amendments, After Debate,
Are Now Concuned in.
Senator Rdmunds Introduces Bill 10 Place Gen.
Grant on the Retired List.
Further Discussion ofthe Shipping Bill
Vote Expected To-day.
TILE SENATE.

The first speech on the shipping bill in the sem
ate was by Mr.. Maxey, who said that, although
the free ship amendment had failed, he would
vote for tho bill, because, so for as 1t went. II
would be relief to the shipping interest.
MIR. Vest opposed the tonnage tax, and moved
substitute which Mr.. Frye accepted aboishing
all tonnage dues on United States vessels on enter-
ing United States ports. aud only retaining such
dues on vessels of foreign countries discriminate
ing in like manner against the United States.
Mr.. Mcpherson raised the point that such
provision might come into conflict with some OF
our foreign treaties, and Mr.. Vest added clause
providing that nothing contained III the section
should impair the force of any treaty.
The section providing for compensation for tho
ocean carriage of mails gave rise to considerable
discussion, of which the tariff became leading
feature. The section permits payment Of sum
not exceeding u a mile each way Of actual miles
run, for carrying the United states mails between
any port Of the United States and any foreign
port, but the service shall only be performed
under contract with the lowest responsible bidder,
and the aggregate amount to be paid for such
service shall not exceed the amount received by
the United States from the foreign mail service
during the year preceding the contract less the
amount paid for such carriage on foreign vessels.
Mr.. MCPHERSON said he did not know what was
fair compensation, but he saw no reason for
paying vessels for coming back, since on the
return voyage they would be bringing the letters
efthe foreign government and not Of the United
Mr.. Miller, of New York, explained that IL the
compensation were reckoned on one direction
alone, 1t would be necessary in fairness TO make
the compensation 81 n mile All the ship mon
who had been before the committee had said that
81 mile, counting each way. would be but a fair
compensation, aud the COMMITTEES bsd given the
subject very careful consideration and fixed on
that amount.
Mr. Salisbury quoted the statement Of the
postmaster general TO the effect that the compen
saon paid ut present for the foreign mail service
was fair.
Mr. Frye said he had drawn up the provision
relating to foreien mail pay after consultation
with the postmaster general.
was in favor of paying literally for mail service,
though he would be opposed to subsidy pure
Mr.. Beck argued that the original section was
simply provision to subsidize the shipbulders
under the guise of paying liberally for the mail
The discussion was continued by Messrs Beck,
Van WyGk, Miller, of New York, Frye. Vest, Gail,
Mr.. Morgan gave notice that to-day he would
move an amendment providing that foreign ships
ment of SIS ton for iron and steel and $40 a ton
for wooden vessels, such vessels to be used in
either foreign or coastwise trade.
Mr. Frye asked and obtained unanimous con-
sent that general debate on the bill close to-day
% az 9GSGE & mr. moSn sSnnor sSupsd who 1 Sas
ready spoken should speak to-day.
PRESIDENTIAL MEssAGEs.
The chair laid before the senate a message from
the President, transmitting copy of the report Of
Also, a message transmitting information called
: for relating to the Chinese award claims.
Also, message relating to the Worlds Cotton
Exposition at New Orleans.
Also, communication from the secretary OF
war transmitting report of Gen. Sheridan relating
TO the admission of insane soldiers to the hospital
of the soldiers home
TO PLACE GEN. GRANT on THE RETIRED LIST.
Mr. Edmunds introduced bill to place Ulysses
s. Grant, late general of the army of the United
States, upon the retired list of the army. In NOV
ing the reference of the bill to the committee on
military affairs. Mr.. Edmunds commended II to
the early consideration of that committee, for
reasons which, he said everybody understood. 1t
was referred to the committee on military Affairs.
TO FORFEIT LANDS GRANTED.
Pursuant 10 notice previously given Mr.. Hill
addressed the senate in relation to the bill TO de-
clare forfeiture of the lands granted to the New
Orleans, Baton Rouge and Vicksburg Railroad
company. The question involved, Mr.. Hill said,
was the validity of the claim of the New Orleans
Pacific railway to the lands condltionally granted
TO the New Orleans. Baton Rouge and Vicksburg
Railrond company by the act of March 3, 1871,
creating the Texas Pacific railroad.
The bill was referred to the committee oil pub
lie lOnds.
Mr. Hawley said he had received letter from
one of his constituents who had Invested $1,000
in the bonds of one of the roads named by Mr..
Hill, upon ihe faith of what he had supposed to
be bona iide land patent, aud in justice to that
gentleman, and perhaps others, he would ask
suspension ofjudgnent on tho point involved
until the committee should report.