National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-02
NOTHING BUT TALK.
The House Occupied all Day Discussing the
Tariff Bill
Mr.. Frye's Able Speech on tho Shipping
Bill In the Senate.
THE SENATE.


Debate on the shipping bill was resumed, Mr.
Frye continuing his remarks In opposition to the
Vest amendment, saying that the admission to
American registry Of ships bought abroad would
result in taking from American ships the coast
wise trade of the United States and all the old hulks
in England would come here and take charge oil
our coasting trade. The senator from Missouri
[Mr. Vestl Mr.. Frye said had not dared 10 propose
a free ship amendment pure and simple, but had
sugarcoated II with an amendment providing Tor
free materials. Who, he inquired, had asked ~, ior
free materials. No shipbuilder had done so. The
average wages In American shipyards was " q
day, while on the Clyde 1t was 81 0S.
Mr.. Morgan inquired whether Mr.. Frye intended
to have the bill already passed in the house taken
up and acted on instead of the senate bill.
Y Mr.. Frye replied; THAT depends"
In some work OF actual practical legislation, and
hot In a debating society, discussing the mere
question OF free ships ve! non. AS there were q
the house to pecede the senate bill II II be passed.
1t was unlikely that that bill would BIO reached
Mr.. Frye Thought that, according to the views
of the senator from Alabama, the senate might rs
well adjourn altogether. He continued that there
lishments, employing l,Si5 men, who receive an
nually In wages si2 7l3,A3, These establishments
would be shut up under a free ship law. ,,r,...
made by the bill in the law rs 1t has heretofore
existed, showing that It reduces consular fees aud
tonnage tax charged against ships takes of GUS
the postma ster general to make contracts with
steamship companies for the carriage of the
United States mails, at price not to exceed 81
mile for the actual number of miles travelled. Not
withstanding tho greater liberaity Of the bill to-
ward the shipping interests, Mr.. Frye said the re-
ceipts from the tonnage tax custom fees OF ships,
and foreign postal service, would still leave over
10000 year to the credit Of t1e shipping 10,
he asking too much in asking the senate TO pass
the bill !? He had no doubt the senate would pass
it, but the bill could be rendered worse than use
less II the free ship and free material clause were
added TO 1t. To adopt those provisions would be
giving stone 10 those who had asked for bread
when we drink we die
Mr. Vest said he had no disposition to hold the
poisoned chalice to tho lips of the senator from
Maine as the representative of the American mer-
chant marine. because only under the most deadly
and insidious poison could dissolution come
sooner to our marine than 1t was coming.
The bill before the senate, Mr.. Vest said, was
good enough as far as It went, but it did not go
half far enough. 1t did not reach the disease of
which the merchant marine was dying. Neither
had the speech of the senator from Maine been O
satisfactory presentation of the case OF the mer.
chant marine. II had been empty Sound and
fury, signifying nothing" The argument of that
senator, SUBSTANTIALLY had been: "The high pro:
tective tariff is the greatest Of all blessings and
must not be disturbed. High wages are the cause
of the decline Of American shipping, because they
prevent us from competing with other nations.
be revived" The protective tariff, Mr. Vest con
tended. was producing discord, labor meetings,
reference I to Jo6n re Roach mad made " yes esc
terday by Mr.. Frye, who said that Mr. Roach
did not keep corner SALOON in New York, Mr..
Vest now said that John Roach did not need that
sort of corner; he had u corner on the United
States navy. department--a very much better
corner. And while Mr. Roach was every year be-
coming stronger and fatter, the merchant marine
was becoming weaker and leaner, until to- day it
was in articulo moris. Referring to the tenacity
of life shown by the democratic party. even after
swallowing Horace Greeley, Mir. Vest said that
that party had survived fire and food that If
there had been anything In fire that could have
destroyed that party, 1t would by this time have
found itself in the hottest of the place that
Ingersoll says does not exist. ~ ~. e.. ..
Mr.. Frye commenced to reply, and had the floor
when the senate adjourned. ''