The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-08
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE
Routine Observation-Disclosures ofthe Debate
on the Shipping Bill.

Routine Observation-Disclosures of the Debate
OH the Shipping Bill.
WAsHINGToN, May 7.-Mr, Sewell. from the
committee on military affairs, reported favorably
q bin to authorize the sale of y portion of Fort
Hays military reservation in Kansas to the Ellis
county agricultural society, of Kansas. Placed
on the calendar.
The following bills were introduced and re
ferred:
By Mr.. Edmunds: A bill to place Ulysses S.
Grant, late General of tho army of the United
States, upon tho retired list of the army, In
moving reference of the bill to the committee on
military affairs, Mr.. Edmuds commended it to
the early consideration of that committee, for
reasons which, he said, everybody understood.
By Mr.. Gibson: To increase the endowme mt
of the Louisiana State University and Agricul
tural College.
BY Mr., Ingalls,: To create the Quillente land
district. in Washington Territory.
4" By MI. Blair: To provide for the adjustment
of the accounts of laborers, workmen and me
chanics arising under the eight-hour law.
Mr.. Hill addressed the Senate in relation to
the bill to declare forfeiture of the lands granted
the New Orleans, Baton Rouge d Vicksburg
Railroad Company.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Hills speech the Sen
ate resumed consideration of tho shipping bill
Mr.. Vest opposed the tonnage tax, and moved u
a substitute, which Mr.. Frye accepted, abolish
ing all tonnage dues on United States vessels on
entering United States ports, and only retaining
such dues on vessels of foreign countries. dis
eliminating in like manner against the United
States. Mr.. Vest added a clause providing that
nothing contained in the section should impair
the force of any y. ATTY.
The section providing for compensation for
ocean carriage Of mails, gave rise to
considerable discussion. The section per
mits a payment not exceeding one dollar per
mile, each way. of actual miles run, for carry
ing 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 bid
der, and the aggregate amount to be
paid for such service shall not exceed the amount
received by the United States from foreign mail
service during the year preceding contract, less
the amount paid for such carriage on foreign
vessels.
Mr.. Frye said he had drawn up the provision
relating TO foreign mail pay after consultation
with the Postmaster general.
Mr.. YanWyck characterized the provision as
81, 500, 600 a year in subsidies.
Mr.. Frye defended the bill against the
charge Of being a subsidy measure.
Why this intense anxiety to have
the English flag float over the United
States maill 1t was free trade run mad. This
provision was in no sense a subsidy, but if sub
sides were necessary to enable the United
States to recover its position on the ocean he
would be willing to appropriate one, two or even
ten million dollars to accomplish the object, and
he would only feel that he had done his duty,
General debate on the bill will close to-mor-
row at 5 o'clock. Adjourned.