Morning journal and courier., 1884-05-06
Forty eighth Congress-.-First Session.

WASHINGTON, May 5.
SENATE.-After the morning hour the ship
ping bill was taken mp. Mr.. Miller, of New
York, spoke at some length against the pend
ing amendment. He favored the French
bounty system and commended that it was the
only safe one for the country to adopt. He
argued that the foreign trs de of the country
both export and import had always increased
under protective tariff. That policy had
made merchants, manufacturers, importers
and agriculturists, indeed all classes, rich,
and its continuance was necessary for the
perpetual prosperity of the country. If the
bill under review was passed in ten years
our foreign shipments in American bottoms
would be developed to a marvellous
extent and the American flag again attain
proud pre-eminence on the seas. While the
United States paid only $43, 900 last year for
the support of its ocean mail service, the
principal countries of Europe paid 1923 ,OOO,-
600. This bill would increase the compensa-
ton to be paid our lines to S., 800, 900. A
penditurs of from $40, ZOO, 900 to SIS, 0Oo,-
600 year.
Mr.. Morrill, in a brief speech commended
that the tariff laws had nothing to do. with
the condition of our merchant marine. So
far as those laws were concerned, no dis
elimination was made against the American
or foreign shipping. The shipping interests
less vessels were idle and those, if we
were to adopt free ship legislation,
would be sent over here and sold
at much less than first cost. Our shipbuild
ing trade would be destroyed and we would
have no resources for getting ships in case of
war with a foreign power.
Mr.. Beck sareastically expressed regret
that the tariff had been drsgged into the de-
bate and then proceeded to show that it had
a great deal to do with our shipping inter
ests. II We wanted to regain our supremacy
on the ocean it was imperative for
US to have free ships and free
materials for building them. He
asked the Senator from Maine (Hale)
to explain the amazing statement made in
his spesch the other day that in sase of Great
Britain becoming involved in war her mer-
chant marine under the ship legislation could
be transferred to American registration and
sailed under the American flag
Mr.. Hale said that could easily be done
under the registration laws which are loose
in that respect. The custom house had no
power to go behind the conveyance returns.
A colloquy arose between Messrs. Dawes
and Beck which ended in an outbreak of bad
temper. It was in regard to wheth-
or the coastWise trade was mo-
nopoly. Mr.. Beck maintained that
it was. Mr.. Dawes commended that it was not
and somewhat angrily declared that Beck was
arguing in the interests of foreigners. The
Kentucky Senator jumped to his feet, his
face flaming with indignation. He character
lied Dawes assertion as piece of meanness.
"I have as much at heart the interest of this
people" he said "as the Senator has and I
frown upon-I was about to say, bat l will
not-that would despise myself if I was to
intimate that the Senator frem Massachusetts
would be in the interest of anybody but his
own country"
The matter was finally settled by the Sem
ate going into executive session and after
O'Clock the Senate adjourned.
HousE-Mr. Washburn, of Minnesota,
asked leave to report joint resolution ;ap-
propriating $4,000 to defray the expenses
of the special embassy from Siam. Mr..
Weller, Iowa: CT object" Mr. Washburn:
''Will the gentleman withhold his objection
until the letter from the President is read ~
Mr.. Weller 81 have no more regard for
the President than have for the gentleman
HIMSELF
After some diminishing the House voted
142 to SO to take up the Seventh Virginia
contested election case, where Q'Farrell,
Democrat, claims the seat over Paul, Repub
lican, sustained by majority committee re-
port. The minority position is that, as Paul
resigned to go on the bench, the seat is va
cant. The attempt to seat OFarrell at this
time is said to be in order to get another vote
for the tariff bill.
The debate on the question was conducted
with considerable warmth until 4 O'Clock,
when the previous question was ordered.
The minority report was rejected; yeas 81,
nays 40; party vote with the exception of
Mr.. Cook, of Iowa, a member of the Com
mittee on Elections, who voted nay.
After Mr.. O'FarreIl was sworn in the Speak
er at 1850 proceeded in the morning hour to
call the States and Territories for the intro
duction of bills and joint resolutions for re-
ference.
At o'clock the session was extended until
the call was completed. after which a recess
was taken until 8 O'Clock.
At the evening session several speeches
were made and the House at 1920 adjourned.