The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-15
WASHINGTON.



WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Hale has
reported iavorably from the committee on
naval AFFAIRS, with amt mtndments, his bill to
authorize the construction of additional steel
VI sses for the navy. AS amended, the bill
provides for he construction of one cruiser of
a500 tons and one of 5000 tons, one dispatch
vessel OF 1900 tons, two heavily armed gum
boats OF l5UO tons each, one gunboat of 900
tons and one of 750 tons, TO be built on
plans and specifications to be furnished by the
admiral OF the navy, aud under his supervis-
i'm aud direction, subject to the approval of
the Secretary of the Navy. 1t also authorizes
the President TO direct the construction of one
steel ram, as recommended bS the naval ad-
visory board of 1881; one cruising torpedo boat.
whose construction was advocated by
that board aud the present advisory board
and OF two OF the harbor torpedo boats recon-
mended by the first advisory board aud in the
report from the bureau of ordnance in 1883.
National Educational Association.
Members OF the National educational con-
veDtlon now 10 session paid their respects to
the President to-day. They were presented by
Gen. Eaton, commissioner of education and
chairman OF the convention.
Commissioner Eaton briefly explained the
objects of the convention. The President
responded welcoming the visitors and saving
that the happiest years of bis life were when
he was school teacher. The experience of
those years in the cultivation of Youthful
minds were of the greatest value to him now
IN dealing with children OF a larger growth.
He said that the influence for good welded by
the school teachers of the nation could not be
over estimated and promised hearty co-opera-
tion in their efforts in the cause of popular
education.
Tariff on yyOoIen Goods.
Several gentlemen representing the wooden
and carpet manufacturers were before the com.
mlitee on ways and means to-day in the in
terest OF the woolen manufacturers of the
country. Mr.. Hayes read a carefully prepared
paper against change in the tariff on woolen
goods on the ground that the tariff legislation
OF 1883 was in its nature treaty with national
industries and should be observed with the
same good faith as treaty with foreign
powers. Any material modification of the
duties on wool or woolen goods would be felt
lDsta0tiy in every wool mill in the country
In laitn OF the legislation of last year they had
contracted for or enlarged or adopted mschine-
ry, designed goods and made contracts and no
one could deny the injustice of disturbing
these arrangements by radical disturbance of
duties The instability of the tariff legislation
bad been the bone of the woolen interests of
the country.
REr. DingIcy's PiIotage Bill.
MessIs. Miller of New Yorg and Emery of
Boston made arguments to-day before the
House COMMITTEES on shipping in favor of Mr..
Dlngley's pilotage bill. They spoke of the
workings OF the present State laws which were
opposed by owners of vessels In SINE cases
pilots had been given money not to go on board
vessels, the owners preferriDg to have their
boats brought in by tugs. Many owners, the
gentlemen said, desired to be allowed to have
t5e use OF tow boats without being compelled
to pay for pilot They also asserted that
large proportion of vessels did not need the
pilos that the law compelled them to take.
Mr.. Beckwith of New Orleans, in behalf of
tue pJiota, said that q pilotage system was
necessity and there could be No efficient syg-
tsm without COMPULSORY laws.
Duty ON Sugars.
A number of claims have been presented at
the Treasury Department for a reduction of
duty on sugars which remainded in bonded
warehouses at the time the new tariff law went
Into effect, but which had been in bonded
warehouses beyond three years from the date
OF Importation. The matter was referred to
the AIT rney General and his opinion has just
been received by the Secretary OF the Treasury.
He holds that such not entitled under the
new tariff act, 10 reduction of duty, nor are
they entitled to the privileges of expectation.
He also holds that the goods remaining in the
bonded warehouses; beyond three years from
the date of importation, whether the duties
bave been paid or not, are to be regarded as
abandoned TO the Government and should be
be sold at public aue ion.
Pension Matters.
Senator Logan introduced in the Senate to-
day by request, bill to provide that soldiers
and sailors of the late war, now receiving PEN
slOns for the loss OF leg or arm, shall be EMIT
led also to receive additional pension for any
other wound or disability received while in
the liIe of duty at the same rate as paid for
such wound or disability to persons who did
not lose q leg or arm in the service, such addi-
tion 81 pensions TO late from the date of dis
charge of the person entitled to it from the SER
vice.
Confirmed by the Senate.
The Senate to-day confemed the following
nominations:
Commodore Simpson to be rear admiral, vice
Patterson, Fs tired.
Francis A. Osgood to be collector of customs
OF the district of Marhlehead Mass.
For GreeIy's Relief.
The Presidtnt has approved the joint resolu-
ton authorizing an expedition to be sent to the
relief of Greedy aud parry.
Miscellaneous.
The President has directed the promotion o
Lieut.. Rhodes of the revenue cutter Dexter
for gallant and meritorious conduct on the oc
casion of the City of City of Columbus.
Upon inspection, the Thetis has been ap-
proved by the London board of trade and the
purchase bas been completed. Secretary Chan
dler was SO notified by telegraph yesterday. L
is understood that the amount paid is abou
$130,0O0. The original price asked by he
rIg &I60 C00