New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-20
NETWORK IN CONGRESS.
WHAT IT'S MEMBERS PROPOSE TO ASK.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 19-Of the New York
members OF Congress sixteen serving their hrSt
farms Eleven OF the delegation, less than the usual
proportion, lawyers. The remaining menioei'
represent various trades and professions Oen-
eral Ketcham. of Dover Plains, Is the senior
member in point OF fervice Win his
present term will have completed eighteen years III
the House OF Repres entatives. He was three years
District Commissioner, which will give him twenty-one
years residence at the capital. MI Hscoek and MI
Hewitt are both serving their NTH term while Nicholas
Muller has entered his fourth, and Walter Sessions
on his third term.
INQUIRIES Of the New-York members to what
measures they propose to Introduce bring to
light the fact that their principal business VIII
be that OF resurrecting bills which died
on the OF the the last session. That In fact
win largely constitute work OF this Congress APP
parenty q high OF honor docs not prevail among
all the members as Mr. Adams and some others express
that any announcement now OF their purpoo W
Introduce certain bills will result IN other members
"stealing their thunder"
"Tim Campbell gave this his for not tell
ing about a proposed measure which he has prepared
But on remembering that Mr. Cox is in CONSTANT
noplev he said afterwards he willing to let his ideas
first see bright sunlight of publicity through the COL
INNS OF THE TRIBUNE don't know IL shall be chalr
man of the Naval Committee he said but shall make
the biggest of my life to get my bill through. II
will provide lines Of American steamers to be built
owned and run by the Government to carry the United
States mails. l propose to run a line TO AVerpool
carry mails, passengers and freight Just ike tne
Cunard Line and other lines to other counries-a to De
done by the Government That the principal bill that
shall Introduce" "Tim" assured that after the
publication in THE TRIBUNE that he going to
pose such would be 80 mean as to steal
his ideas on the subject
Mr.. Hewitt has bills of general IN
terest than any other New-York member, but
he does not have much faith in placing them
upon the atute books cit is my last term In Con-
gress" he said and 1 feel that have practically
wasted ten years here. The inability TO accomplish
much has partly due to the rules but largely to the
opposition Of the West South any measure intro
ouced by an Eastern Tho cry Of Wall Street is
Immediately raised, and a man can get no credit for
patriotism"
Mr. Hewitt will present the petition of the Chamber OF
Commerce for the improvement OF New-Iork HarDOr.
and follow by the introduction of bill TO carry out
purpose Of the petition The new survey Is nearly
completed and he that it shows the camel TO be
about deep but tOrtuous that 1t is impo
sible for large ships to follow It, The
channel was, lie says, suihclent Tor
modern steamships The improvement will cost from
IS 100000 to $4,000 OO0 but only 100000 will be
asked Inssmuch the larger part of the COM
perce OF the country passes Sandy Hook and an i'm
provement the channel would result in decreasing the
burdens OF that commerce, thus benefng the entire
Nation Mr. Hewitt hopes to secure this appropriation.
He will introduce q silver blI and also
measure to secure administrative
reform House his bill for that purpose
buried the calendars OF the last Congress-
had been passed. he would have saved the costly
Investigation the results which recently made
public book OF 900 pages in the shape of report by
Qecretary Manning. He will also Introduce measure
70 carry into effect Mexican treaty and preserve
Che National honor 81 would also be glad Mr.
Hewitt said introduce specific tarn bill could
get the Ways and Means Committee TO report IT, That
would get rid Of the abuses and difficulties nseparahle
lipct IN on he a
system Every other has got rid of those Diff
culties l that Secretary Manning squinis
at a revival of the moiety law, but the people
will again submit TO that nquistorial outrage"
Representative James Will again present his bill TO reg
ulate the of bills Of lading and the duties and
liabilities of ship owners 1t passed the last House too
late acted upon by the Senate. The object OF the
bill is relieve American shippers and importers from
ri.ks which at common law belong TO the
carrer; but which by means OF provisions
inserted in bills OF lading have been transferred
to the shippers. Some Of the foreign steamship
tines have in this way relieved themselves from the
liabilities OF thieves whether on hoard or NOT from
yermin, heat. stowdge fire. negligence, defects In the
hull and machinery, and even unseaworthness on the
part OF the Mr. James says that there has been
some improvement in this respect since the bill was
introduced IN the last Congress. but 1t IS
stin regarded important by American shippers
that such an act should be passed. MI Jamess bill to
relieve commercial travellers from paying license fees,
has already been referred TIE TRIBUNE, and also
his measure 10 prevent the Government from permit
ing the labor its criminals TO be employed by
tractors, is the in the Albany Penitentary
and elsewhere. Mr. James proposes that Government
criminals shall be to prisons where
the contract system is not in force.
This member has bill to purchase land for
Marine Hospital at NewYork The Seamen's Retreat on
staten Island is rented Tor that purpose He pro-
poses to have Government either buy the Retreat
establish hospital elsewhere The other Brooklyn
members have two measures one OF which is for the
extension, to $l,5OOO0O, Of the limit for
the public building in that city. 1t viii
be introduced by Mr.. Bliss. The other measure
concerns the purchase Of land from the Government at
waabout Bay. for market purposes This tract adjoins
the Navy Yard already occupied by Brooklyn for
market purposes. though the city does not own IT,
Perry Belmont will offer In the House bill intro
duced the by Mr. Miller, providing for bridge
across the Arthur XIII Staten Island; and also the
bill proposed by the NewYork Yacht Club, to relieve
pleasure yachts compulsory potage and oherfees
Mr. Belmont Will try again to get through his bin TO
permit the transportation Of works OF art and for
several harbor Improvements he Will endeayor to secure
appropriations
Mr.. Adams, Of New York City will devote his main ef-
forts to Bankruptcy BILL and expresses the belief
that will pass this Congress- He has another measure
which says will be Of great interest to NewYok. but
he that else would take advantage of him
should he announce It IN advance.
COlolonel Merriman realizing the Importance OF the
Erie Canal the country will introduce bill providing
for National aid for its improve and maintenance
He proposes that 81 100000 annually shall be apprO-
priaed deDite number OF years for that purpose
the canal remain free, and to be under
State control He finds precedents
such action by Congress and the canal has done
his opinion to advance the population wealth
and onterprise of the Western States than all other
combed he believes that there Is fair prospect
10 pass the bill Mr. Weber Of Buffalo, says that he Is
also preparing hill on TINS subject but he apparently
thinks ii best not to disclose It's provisions now.
The Harlem River impTOven ent is within General
Viele district and he Will offer bill 10 carry forward
the work The report OF the commission TO condemn
the land will. he soon be confirmed There has
been 100000 appropriated for this work; but General
vIele thinks that the passage OF oil on the subject.
,rL.rLn MI llt IN. ..n