The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-29
XLVIIIfh CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, February %, 1884.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Ransom. from the Committee on
Commerce. reported favorlbly bill to
authorize the purchase OF wharf for the
use Of the Government ut Wilmington,
NC.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of
the bill to authorize the construction of
steel cruisers for the navy.
After further extended debate vote was
taken on Mr.. McPherson's amendment re-
ducing the number Of proposed ships from
seven to four, and the amendment was de-
feated-yeas, II; NAYS, 81.
The question recurring on Mr.. McPber-
sons second amendment, which provided
conditions under which contracts should
be made, Mr.. Hale offered us a substitute
the following: "And said vessels shall be
designed and constructed in all respects
in accordance with and subject to the con-
ditions and provisions OF the naval appro-
priation acts of August 5, 1882, and March
3, 1883, authorizing the construction OF
fonr steel cruisers" THIS was agreed to,
and Mr.. McPherson's second amendment
thus amended was then agreed to.
Pending the amendment of Mr.. Sewell,
mentioned yesterday. the Senate went into
executive session and adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Deuster, of Wisconsin, rising to Il
question OF privilege, sent to the Clerks
desk and had read letter adopted by
the Executive Committee OF the Liberal
Union OF the German Parliament express
ing its appreciation OF the action OF the
House OF Representatives in adopting resO-
buttons in honor OF Edward Lasker.
The Speaker stated that the question was
not one Of privilege, but by unanimous
consent Mr.. Deuster was permitted to con-
tinue.
He said that the Executive Committee OF
the Liberal Union expressed the sentiments
of the people OF Germany. The spectacle
here presented was peculiar as seen through
American eyes. Prince Bismarck, auto
crat OF the German empire. was the en-
bodiment OF the idea antagonistic to Anne
rican institutions. The fact that he had
returned the Lasker resolution nigh: stand
to the prejudice Of the German people, but
the letter OF the Liberal Union has con-
tradlcted that assumption.
From cis-Atlantic standpoint death
broke down all political feeling, and in the
presence OF the open grave universal broth
erhoOd Of man was the inspiration OF the
hour. The same was true OF Germans rs a
people, and II they were misrepresented by
any man in place OF power they had no
other method OF setting themselves right
before the world than by letters OF the
Liberal Union. In presenting this let
ter in his official place, rs member
Of this body, as native OF Germany,
and an adopted citizen OF the United
States, he desired TO express his earnest
conviction that the action OF the Liberal
Union was the true index OF the feeling OF
united Germany, and tina. the action OF
Bismarck would not rise above the dignity
of a matter OF personal veXation. and in
no way affecting the kindly relations now
existing between the two nations. III may
be premature now to criticise the action OF
bismarck, but when the official informa-
ton thereof was in the possession OF the
House he would endeayOr TO show that
the Lasker resolutions were entirely kind
and proper.
Mr. Guenther, Of Wisconsin, denied that
the people OF Germany were hostile to this
country or its institutions, or that the letter
OF Bismarck returning the Lasker resolu-
ton reflected the sentiment OF that people.
They did not approve OF his discourtesy'
neither did they endorse his autocrat'c
action In prohibiting the importation OF
AIntflcan pIOuucts.
Mr.. Kassou, Of Iowa, regretted that The
incident referred 10 had been made in any
degree subject OF debate. In his opinion
the House would better consult Its dignity
by waiting until some official communica-
ton reached II that improper comment had
been made OF Its action. AS yet 1t knew
nothing except from reports In newspapers
In regard TO the action taken abroad upon
the resolutions adopted by the House.
When II was Informed that Its interest or
its honor had been affected there would be
no doubt perfect accord between the TWO
sides OF the House touching the action 10
be AIKEN, He moved TO refer the letter
presented BY Mr.. Deuster TO the Committee
on Foreign Affairs. So ordered.
The House then resumed the coDsldera-
ton Of the pleuro-pneumonia bill, tbcpend-