Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-02
LEGISLATIVE TOPICS.
PERRY BELMoNT's THEFT OF
MIR. BLOUNTS THUNDER.

MIR. BLOUNTS THUNDER.
Senator Mcpherson Seeking to Prevent
Collisions Among COastlng Steamers
PrOtectionists Becoming Alarmed at
the Dangers Threatening Their Inter-
ests-James Atkins for Erskine's Place.
Correspondence Of the Morning Aeaos.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9O.-The Foreign Affairs
Committee for the last House considered very
fully the subject Of government aid in the
construction of a canal across the isthmus at
Nicaragua. The majority of the committee
was in favor of the scheme, and made favor
able report to the House upon what is known
as the Nicaragua canal bill. Mr.. Blount Of
Georgia, Mr.. Perry Belmont, of New
York, and several other members of
the committee were opposed to the bill
Mr.. Blount was designated to write the
minority report He was given sixty days
after adjournment to write and file that re-
port. Mr.. BlOunt went home and took much
data with him. He was In no hurry to COM
plete the duty assigned him. He went at the
work lesurely. He got through long before
the time allotted him. He sent copies of his
reports to his minority colleagues on the For
eign Affairs Committee. He requested Mr..
Belmont after he had examined the copy sent
that gentleman, to file it before the 80 days
should have expired. Mr.. Belmont gave
Mr.. BlOunts report to several of the New
York papers, in which it was published. Mr..
Belmont added to Mr.. BlOunt's report num-
Der of pages. These pages contained some
general information on the subject of inter-
oceanic canal communication through the
isthmus. He used the whole as his own re-
port. Mr.. Blount's report was not filed within
the sixty days. His work went for nothing as
far as he individually was concerned.
GOOD DEAL OF INTEREST
is taken among members of Congress whose
constituencies are interested in cOastwise
commerce in bill introduced in the Senate
by Mr.. Mcpherson, of New Jersey. Senator
Mcpherson says that he is going to do all IN
his power to secure the passage of the bill or
similar legislation. The object of the bill is
to prevent collisions among vessels
trading along the coast. The bill sets
forth that there is great carelessness
among the masters of small cOastwise
vessels in the management Of their lights
They frequently fail to display the red light on
the port side and the green light on the star
board side, or use such poor lamps or so
improperly place them that there is constant
danger of collisions especially with the coast
wise steamers. Another thing alleged against
the smaller vessels is that they do not, when
they see steamer overhauling them, display
torch over the stern. They are also negi gent in
sounding fog horns when necessary. The bill
directs that the Treasury Department issue
stringent rules upon this subject with power
to enforce them. A penalty of $500 for the
owner or owners of derelict vessels which
may be libeled is prescribed, and also i'm
prisonment for one year for the officer of the
yesselresponsible for non conformity with the
provisions of the bill. There is also a pro-
vision in the bill for rewarding informers.
THE PROTEcTIONIsT BARONs
and their representatives in Congress are
evidently becoming good deal alarmed over
their prospects. The Ways and Means Com
mittee is made up cOnservatively, but with
free swing for tarIf reform. That such
would be the nature of that committee the
barons expected. But they said: "We don't
care what kind of a Ways and Means Com
iG11 rraf and tro~I, f-
Keep Carlisle out Of the chair, however, I'VE
are all right. The Senate is perfectly safe"
What now alarms them is that the Senate is
evidently not so safe as they thought. They
busy lot of men these prOtectionists. and
they have vigilant agents here all the while.
These agents have been very carefully look
ing around, and they do not view with COM
placency what they have found out. They
find that while the Republican majority of
the Senate is not favorable to any radical
reduction of the tariff, yet it Is not
as hide bound as they thought it was.
There are several Senators upon whom they
had looked as ''fOr us all the time," who are
not so unanimous that way. Senators as well
as other people can be affected by dec ara
ton of the views of the people at the polls.
The leaven Of reform which was sown in such
quantities in the last Congressional election
has worked even upon the Senatorial mind.
1t has no, worked to any overwhelming effect,
but it has left its mark. That's the
reason the high protectiOnists do not
feel as well as they did. 1t should
dleO NC IOll6ulDtI6u III bul5 connection LndI
the Senate bill prepared at the last session
was much better for the public good than the
bill prepared by the House Ways and Means
Committee, which met such tragic death at
the latter part of the session.
MR.. JAMES ATKINS, OF SAVANNAH
was nominated for the United States District
Judgeship now held by Judge McCay. His
nomination was Withdrawn by President
Arthur, at the request of Mr.. Atkins. Mr.
Atkins would not have withdrawn had he not
seen that it was practically mpossi BILE for
him to be confirmed. Mr. Atkins will,
it is learned, very likely be a strong
It is understood that Mr.. Farrow
will throw his strength for him when he sees
that he cannot make the goal himself. He
might as well throw his influence for him now
FarrOw was an applicant for Judge McCay's
place too. The appointing power said at that
time 'under no circumstances shall FarrOw
get the place." If there has been any change
Of heart there is not the slightest evidence Of
it. Atkins is stronger now. with the
Senate than he was when formerly nOmi-
mated. Senator Edmunds Chairman of
the Judiciary Committee, which will report
upon the nominee, whoever he is. is now for
him. Edmunds is something of a power in
the Senate However, there is no indication
pointing directly to the coming Judge. The
President Is enjoying the holidays and the At
tOrney General Is IN Louisiana looking after
the lottery cases. The matter has never been
taken up yet by them. The President moves
slowly in making appointments, and is espe-
cally tortOiselike when a vacant Federal Of
flee in Georgia comes within view.
REPRESENTATIVE BLACKBURN TOLD NE TO-
DAY
a characteristic anecdote of Senator Cerro
GOrdO Williams, of Kentucky. Williams is
one of the mosbcOmpanienable and genial of
men. When he came to the Senate he was for
knowing all of his colleagues right away. He
wanted to be on pleasant terms with them all
He had been here but three or four days be-
fore he had met them nearly all, and had in
vited many of them to dine with
ex-senator Conkling, of New York,
who had been absent in New York. The dav
that Conkling returned to his seat Williams
was in the cloak room of the Senate lust as
that body had adjourned
COnkiing came in and was putting on his |
overcoat. Williams walked up to him, and, |
holding out his hand said: Il am glad to meet |
you, Mr.. Conkling." He was about to add an |
explanation, telling who he was, but Conk- |
ling turned his back upon him and walked |
away; Senator Vest, of Missouri, had come |
in and witnessed the latter part of the scene |
Turning to him, Williams said II wonder If |
that id AlbinO wanted to insult me-" 1t |
must be remembered that COnkling is blonde |
OF peculiar type. Conkling afterwards eX- |
planned that he did not know who Williams |
was; he took him to be one of the indiserimi- |
mates who rush upon the floor of each House |
as soon as an adjournment is had. Williams |
and Conkhng afterwards became good friends. |
SAID MR.. WILLIS, OF KENTUCKY. TO-DAY.
81 have, of course, introduced many bills in |
the House since my Congressional career be- |
gan. nave, OF course, introduced manv bills |
by request in which had not the least inter |
est. have also received many bills with the |
request that introduce them which | have /
kept in my desk Many of these non-lntrO- |
duced bills have been to further jobs. Others |
of them have been of an extravagant and lu- |
dicrous character. About the most ludicrOus /
bill that was ever requested to introduce |
came to me last session. 1t was from a con- /
stituent who greatly enjoys himself in fishing. |
He asked me in the interest Of the preserva- |
ton of game to introduce and have passed a |
bill to prevent any one from fishing with three |
hooks on the same line!" POTOMAC
TObaccOnists Seeking Protection.
HARTFORD, Jan. 1.-About 150 tobacco |
growers, representing the New England |
States, met in convention i'm this CITY to-
day to further protest against the recent |
decision of the Secretary of the Treasury
whereby wrapper leaf tobacco IS virtual |
1v admitted ot the IA 70 of Q5 oo,,+s -. |