New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-09
SENATOR FRYE EXPLAINS THE BILL OF THE CON-
MERGE coMMIrrEE-MR. VESTS AMENDMENT.

sryAroR FRYE EXPLAINS THE BILL OF THE CON-
MERGE CoMMITrEE-MR. VESTS AMENDMENT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. SIN the Senate to-day
Mr. Frye, from the Committee on Commerce. reported
fayorably A bin to remove certain burdens on the
American Merchant Marine 70 encourage the foreign car
rying trade and for other purposes" This BILL MI frye
said was substitute for several bills which had been
referred 10 the committee He desired 10 make
an oral explanation OF some of the provisions
Of the bin not having had opportunity
OF preparing written report and being compeed very
soon much against his will IN go 10 MISSISSIPPI WIN
committee OF Investigation. The laws OF the Ohi'o
states had required, he said that oucs Vi
American ships should be citizens OF the uni'eu 0tS'
and provided 80 ton penalty for VIOLATION u 'e
law. That law had been doubtless good When passed.
when nearly all the sailors of American shps were
Americans; but to-day 95 per cent OF cur hdJIs arc
foreiners and the law works great injustice Inc Dh
now re7orted permitted all officers other than than the
captar 10 be foreigners The present laws also require
that when sailors are discharged in foreign ports an ex
on nav no made bv the United States Consul Of three
months extra wages OF which two months go to tue
sailor and one to the consul. That money becomes
a fund by which the United States SENDS oacK
sailors IN foreign ports, and American ships
are compelled to take them back at compensation
OF SO even though the voyage should last SIX mOnhs
This which Mr. Frye characterized as one OF ne most u
far exacton OF the present law Is repealed by me b
now reported When sailors leave their ships IN foreign
port, without fault OF the captain ana ~ Voti9 VI i
contract they should be entitled 10 thef nc u ues S
no more In OF advance wages 70 sailors MT.
Frye SAID while there was no law competing the paw
meut sailors advance, yet there was custom even
more binding law which required captains 10 pay
moLtbs pay in advance or thelr Shipment anu
IL was well fact that by the time the snip sailed
the sailors did net have cent or the money eI having
paid 10 out TO some OF the many and-suarks
who are always waiting ana w"tG hina
Instead OF permitting advance payments, the proposed
OIL absolutely fOFbis them under heavy penalties, and
provides chat such payments be made they sha not Oe
charged the sailor. And this provision appnes not
only TO American TO foreign shpmasters Ia American
ports Having further explained the bill III ful, MT
rye concluded expressing the hope that the measure
would at session take step in advance OF anything
the last twenty years, TO remove tue burdens
and barnaces which the laws Of our own country nave
placed on our shipping -, ;,.o.
said that although they acqlesced IN the Dill fepoftu
they ny agreed with the statement tu,'t tle
gentleman from Name Mr. Frye had just made that
minority did not believe that the bill touched the ram
difficulty which mad struck down our com
Inerce. The provisions of the bill were IOod
enough az far they went bnt they were
had struck down nercb ant marine Other countries
permit their citizens TO buy ships wherever heL col
buy them cheapest; It was reserved Tor the Ohite9
sites ia 90 back TO barbarism to the restrictions or
they should not buy ships in the cheapest mrkct rms
and tarl OF the United states were the unaa
mental for the decline OF American Shipping MT
Vest expressed his Willingness 10 vote TOT ht provision
OF the bill reported which perned to the carriage OF tue
mails, II he could secure an amendment which would
permit American citizens 10 buy their vessels wherever
TO contract with American vessels to
carry the mails at rate not 10 exceed one dollar per
nautical mile the round trip, tine contract TO c made
after advertisements with the lowest bd1er Mr. Vest
then submitted an amendment to the Dill providing of
free ships and free material
The bill as reported wac placed on The calendar