The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-09
FORTY.EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE

WASHlNGION, MAY o.
Committees of conference with the House
were appointed upon the amendment to the
| Fitz John Porter and pleuro-pneumonia bills.
Mr.. Logan refused to serve on the Fitz John
Porter Case, and was accordingly excused.
The House bill granting pensions to the SOL
| diers OF the Mexican war, was reported favora-
bly,, with an amendment providing that no
| officer, enlisted man or widow shall be entitled
to the benefits of this act unless dependent, in
whole or in part, on his or her labor, or assist
| ance from others for support
The shipping bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Morgan said as the shipping laws stood,
it was greatly to the interest of shipbuilders to
| become also ship owners, and therein was
| great danger to American commerce, because
| by refusing to build ships for any outside per-
son, and by building only for themselves, the
| Bhipbuilders could monopolize the coastwise
| trade of the United States, in which foreign
| ships were not permitted to participate. A
| vote was then taken on MePherson's amend
| ment. cutting off the compensation Tor the re-
| turn trip of ships that may take out the Unit
ed States mail. The amendment was rejected
ayes IL, nays 81.
Mr.. Morgan then formally moved his
| amendment in modified form, instead of duty
on tonnage Of ships. The amendment as mod
flied, proposes to admit to American registry
ships built abroad, upon the payment of an ad
valorem duty of 80 per cent, and such ships
shall be admitted to the coastwise trade, but
shall be owned by American citizens and
must not be encountered by liens or mortgages
in favor OF citizens or corporations of any for
eign country.
Mr.. Mcpherson moved so strike out the last
mentioned restriction. Not agreed to.
After some discussion Mr.. Morgan with
drew the amendment till the House bill should
be taken up.
A motion of Mr.. Vests to strike out one
dollar and insert 70 cents as the maximum
price to DO paid for mail service, was lost.
Mr.. Vest then moved his amendment, which
was agreed to, relating to shipping commits
sioners, but modified so as to make those OIL
GERS accountable to the Secretary of the
Treasury for their receipts and expenses
though having their appointment in the Cir
cult Court.
Mr.. Mcpherson moved TO strike out the sec
ton providing for foreign mail pay. Lost
This completed the consideration of the bill
In committee of the whole. On motion OF
Frye the Houee bill was then taken from the
table and with but slight debate was amended
to correspond with the bill just agreed to.
Mr.. Dawes then moved that the amendment
to admit free of duty materials made abroad
which should be used for building in this
country of ships Exclusively for foreign trade
be laid on the table.
MI Morgan then reoffered the amendment
that he had withdrawn, admitting foreign
built ships to American registry under duty
of 80 per cent. ad valorem. This was lost.
The House bill as amended was then passed.
NJ. Frye at once moved for committee of
conference.
Mr.. Harris raised the point of order that this
was not in accordance with parliamentary
usage The chair overruled the point of order,
and Mr.. Beck appealed from the decision.
Considerable debate followed, and Mr.. Frye
finally concluded TO let the matter 60 over till
morning and consider what was best to be done.
He might ask unanimous consent for a call of
yeas and nays in the morning.
Adjourned.
On motion OF Mr.. Dorsheimer of New York,
the Senate joint resolution was passed in re-
gard to the ceremonies to be authorized on
completion of the Washington monument.
Mr.. Brickner, reported the bill to enable ma
tional banking associations to increase their
capital stock and change their location and
name. Placed ON the House calendar.
Then arose contest between the various
special orders for supremacy, Mr.. Hockslager
of Indiana, pressin the consideration of bills
for the erection OF public buildings. MIR. Sin
gleton of Mississippi, urging the Congressional
library bill, Mr.. Ellis Of Louisiana, desiring
discussion of the New Orleans industrial expo
stion bill, Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania, ex-
pressing the anxiety of the appropriation COM
mittee for the disposal OF appropriation bills,
and Payson of Illinois, demanding considera-
ton OF unfinished business, being the Oregon
Central forfeiture bill.
The House finally went into committee OF
the whole on the state of the Union.
On monitor of Mr. Ellis all prior bills were
set aside and the committee proceeded to the
consideration Of the bill appropriating 81 ,000,-
900 for the celebration of the Worlds Indus
trial and Cotton Centennial Exposition at New
Orleans.
Tho bill appropriating 81, OOo, 900 for the col
ebration of the Worlds Industrial and Cotton
Centennial Exposition at New Orleans was
passed with an amendment that the sum ap-
propriated shall only be paid on the treasurer
of the United STAGES being satisfied that $780,
600 has been contributed by the Worlds In
dustrial and Cotton Exposition.