Morning journal and courier., 1884-04-10
Forty eighth COngress---First Session.


WASHINGTON, Apr1I y.
SENATE-Mr Hill reported an original bill
from the Postofice committee to establish a
government postal telegraph system. He
stated that the majority of the committee
were unanimous as to the clause relating to
contracts with existing companies, but that
the minority were opposed to the purchase
or construction of lines by the government.
The measure will be taken up on the first
opportunity.
The bill to retire Thomas G. Corbin as
rear ADMIRAL in the navy, which came up on
the calendar, led TO brief but
spirited debate and on motion of Mr..
CockrilI was indefinitely postponed by vote
of 81 yeas to 16 nays.
The consideration of the naval ap-
preparation bill was resumed Mr..
Vest continued his speech and took the
ground that the decline of the merchant ma
rine began in 1856 and was not consequence
of the war. He did not look upon the ship
ping bill reported from the Committee on
Commerce as the panacea for this evil, That
was simply applying quack medicine to
dangerous disease. John Roach and his
coadiutors were in favor of this treatment.
bat they were doing more to retard the
recovery of our ocean trade than any other
class of men. He argued that the
system of subsidies did net give rise to
Englands supremacy on the ocean. While
that system prevailed in Great Britain the
United States was taking second place as q
maritime power It was free commerce in
ships and otherwise and liberal measures
lating to tariff and navigation laws which
had given England her position on the seas
and the want of which had almost oblitera-
ted the American flag. He was in favor of
voting for adequate ocean mail service in
lieu of our present niggardly system, but he
wanted the contractor to have the privilege
of carrying the mail in ships which were
not bought of Mr.. Roach but were
hn kat
He attributed much of the decadencs of the
American seamen to the opening of the great
prairies of the West The love of adventure
he declared had taken men to that region.
Even il the laws are changed it will take years
before our flag will again raise its stars and
stripes over the ocean. The repeal of tho
navigation laws which were q disgrace to civ
ilization was absolutely indispensable to
the restoration of our merchant marine.
Mr.. Hale entered protest against discus
sing the question of navigation laws and free
ships on a naval appropriation bill.
In reply to Mr.. Bayard Mr.. Hale stated that
the proceeds of the sale of old vessels were
turned into the treasury.
Mr. Mcpherson said the facts did not bear
out this statement. In his opinion the pro-
ceeds of the sale of certain vessels had been
applied to the construction of others under
VIGOROUSLY scandalous circumstances. The
trouble about getting money fer the navy
was largely owing to the fact that the head of
the department. was distrusted by the people
generally.
This remark caused little excitement.
Mr., Mcpherson made it in strong round
tones as though intended to evoke q reply
Mr.. Hale resented it. He said he was not
surprised that the Senator from NeW Jersey
had discharged some Of the bile that is in
him against the Secretary Of the Navy.
81 submit" retorted Mr. Mcpherson,
s'that that is very unfair way of treating
fact if il is one. The Senator should not
charge the expression to my bile. I do
not know that officer I have no
communication with him. I have never
visited the department since that gentleman |
has been its head Bat do say that if the |
great political organization which has control |
ing such man in Office against the sentiment |
of the people the responsibility rests upon It |
and not on anyone on this side of the cham
ber"
Mr.. Hale said that he had intended no re-
proach to the Democratic side. What he |
did say was directed to the Senator FROM
New Jersey himself, and he did net /
recognize that that gentleman represents the
other side. Mr.. Hale then went on to defend
the steel cruiser project and to deny that
there was any desire to enrich John Roach
John Roach's connection with the Naval de-
partment was clean and reputable and 1t was
time his name should cease to be used as
BY word and reproach. Il was time also that
the Secretary of the Navy should
cease to be the target for insinua-
Mr.. Hall, staII the glare, sunlight and scru<
have bssn men following him whe would