The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-28
FROM WASHINGTON.
MIR. DingIey's Shipping Bill, With Its
Amendments, Passes.
Message of congratulation to the
Maine Congressman.
The Plans for Four New WAR Ships
Completed.
President Cleveland Buys an Estate
Washington.

WASHINGTON, May 27.-The only thing
now necessary to make the Dingley shipping
bill law is the Presidents signature. Mr.
Dingley reported to the House this morning
the result of the conference between the
Senate and House upon the disagreement OF
the House to the Senate amendments recon-
menning the concurrence of the House to
the most important of them, including Sena-
tor Frye's, authorizing the President to issue
proclamation denying the vessels of for
eign countries all rights in our ports which
are denied our vessels in the ports of such
countries. A sharp contest arose over this
amendment, it being bitterly opposed by
Hewitt of New York, the two Breckenridges
of Arkansas and Kentucky, and Hammond
of Georgia; but in spite of their efforts the
House, by handsome majority, sustained
Mr.. Dingley, and the bill was passed with
amendments.
A despatch indicating great interest in the
passage of the bill was received by Mr..
Dingley tonight from f. w. Houghton, su-
perintendent of the Maritime Exchange of
New York. extending "Cordial congratula-
tions upon the passage of the BILL" There
is no doubt of the Presidents signing it.
Plans for Four War Ships.
WASHINGTON, May 27.-The Secretary of
the Navy has completed the plans for the
four ships of war authorized to be built In
the national appropriation bill passed at the
last session of the 4Sth Congress. That bill
appropriated 81, 1896, 900 to build two cruisers
of not less than 5000 nor more than 5000 TONS
one heavily armored gunboat not to
exceed 1000 tons; and one light
TONS There has been great delay in
making the plans for the construction of
these ships, and the responsibility for the
delay is due, according to the Secretary, to
the slow work Of the bureau of construction.
The department has at its command the
latest detailed information relating to the
construction of modera ships of war. The
Secretary has purchased plans and designs
used by the Armstrong; OF England for the
construction Of new cruisers for the Japan
ese navy, which contain the latest improve
ments in naval architecture The Specifca-
tions for the new cruisers and gunboats will
embody all these recent improvements IN
every department of construction.
The Fishermen.
Secretary Bayard was expected to submit
to the Cabinet today the instructions he pro-
poses to give Messrs. Putnam and Biddle,
the counsel he has retained to represent this
government in defending the American YES
sells seized in Canadian waters. The Presi-
dent has absolute confidence in Secretary
Bayard's administration of our foreign af
fairs Secretary Bayard will give the coun-
sci referred to their instructions this week.
The counsel will go to Washington to receive
them. The instructions will be generally to
do everything in their power in defence OF
the captured vessels. Neither the report of
Consul General Phelan on the seizure of the
Ella M. Doughty nor the treatment of the
Jennie and Julia has yet arrived, nor has
either the State or Treasury Departments
any official information of the affair Of the
Sisters at Portland. The report of Collector
Anderson was expected to arrive by mail at
the Treasury Department today.
The President Buys House.
A special to the Boston Journal says that
deed has been prepared and will go on rec
ord tomorrow, conveying the estate that it
has for some time been believed the Presi-
dent would buy. The conveyance is not to
the President, but while the deed is not
shown, it is understood that the property is
decided in such a manner as to place the
property under the control of the President.
The property is the estate on Georgetown
Heights, known as pretty Prospect, which
is not far from the country house of Secre-
tary Whitney. The price paid is $21, 800.
Cleveland and the Editors.
One of the Presidents friends said today