The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-06-24
CONGRESSIONAL.


The speaker laid before the house message
from the president announcing the appearance Of
the shipping bill, but pointing out defect which
WAS discovered 10 exist in the measure.
The message il as follows: "Upon examination
of the bill originating in the house of representa-
ives No 4S3, entitled an act TO abolish certain
fees for official services 70 American vessels and to
amend laws relating to fish commissioners, seamen
and owners of vessels and for other purposes,
find that there is sHch failure 10 adjust existing
laws to the new departure proposed by the bill as
to greatly endanger the public service.
II this bill should not be amended or supple.
mented by additional Legislation, fees which are al
present collected from vessels tor service per
formed by the bureau OF inspection which made
up funds from which certain expenses appertain-
ing TO that bureau, are, by the present bill, abo
ished, but no provision has been substituted di-
recting that such expenses shall be paid from the
public treasury or any other source. The objects
of the bill are, in the main, 50 useful and import
ant, that have concluded to approve the same
upon the assurance of those actively promoting It's
passage that another bill shall at once be intro
duced to cover the defect above referred to.
The necessity of such supplemental Legislation
IL So obvious, that hove IL will receive the imme
diate attention of congress.
Mr. Dihglty. of Maine, stated that he WAS in
structed by the shipping committee to introduce q
measure TO remedy the defect pointed out by the
president, and hskel unanimous consent to intro
duce IL now and put II on its passa.e
Mr.. Morrison, of Illinois, objected. The message
was referred to the shipping committee, and the
house then went INTO committee Oh Tue Whole Oh
the naval appropriation bill.
The fight occurred over an item in the naval bill
which makes an appropriation for the erection of
an observatory building at Washington, for which
a site has been purchased.
Mr.. Warner, of ohio, said II was the understand
ing that il was the intention to construct villas fol
officers In charge of the oil strvatOry The CLAUSE
was so framed, he thought, as not to limit eXpeL
diture to the construction of observatory buildings
but as to admit of building fine country houses
TO be occupied by officers lie offered an amend
ment limiting the cost to ST. 0JO, and providing
that no money should be expended except in The
Observatory building proper.
Mr.. Adams, of illinois, tried to make a point Of
order, but IL was too late.
Nr. Buck asked Mr.. Warner where he got his in
formation about the villas?
He replied that there mad been considerable talk
about the matter in the newspapers, and he had
himself sreh pans.
MIR. Breckenridge said he thought the CLAUSE
should be stricken out, and the matter not acted
upon until the plans were adopted.
Mr.. Warner withdrew his amendment and sub
mitted another which made no limits as to the ulti
mate cost of the buildings, but described theiI
character.
Mr.. Blanchard then showed that the plans hat
already been adopted. This amendment was agreed
to.
Mr.. Breckenridge moved to strike out the clause
$50 as to amend the notion" Lost.
The clause was allowed to stand. II approprates
$751; % to start the building with.