New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-14
FOREIGN MAIL SERVICE.
GEN. BINGHAMs AMENDMENT DISCUSSED.


DEMOCRATS TAKEN by sURrnIsr-THEr SHOW A
PREFERENCE FOR FOREIGN SHIPS
LIVELY DEBATE But 80 VOTE.
tgY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
Washington. July 13-The dcbate IN the iiouso w
~ the proposition TO encourage anu p''i'
Commercial relations between the United states and
Central and South America and the West indies by
pavin- American steamship lines fair price for carry
Ing the mails 10 those countries took an unexpected
turn from General bingham, OF pennsylvania ke-
publican member of the Post Office Committee The
present law provides that the amount paid for The
transporation Of United States foreign mails in Amer
can steamships shall not exceed the United states
inland and sea postage. The Senate amendment
proposes to appropriate 100000, and II authorizes
and directs the Postmaster General to enter into con-
tracts with American steamship companies for period
OF not less than five years, for the transportation
of the mails TO the countries mentioned and to pay
for said service at TIE rate of per nautical mile for
each outward voyage. The Bingham amendment pro
x,dss that the General shall pay four times
the sea and inland postage for the transportation Of
the mails 10 the several countries mentioned. and
also to Australasia Japan, China and the Sandwich
Islands.
Z II appears that among the bills introduced this
session was one by Chairman Blount Of the Post
Office Committee. which was prepared in the Post
Office Department, and which, IL is understood, was
favored by the Postmaster General the time OF its
preparation. In the course OF to-dSYs DEBATE MI.
Beunt holly declared that he ala favor the meas
are but introduced 1t in accordance with sueges-
he had received and he expressed the belief that
the Postmaster General never nor approved the
same His bill Is substantially the the Bling
ham amendment, except that It does not include tho
carrying Of the mails from san Francisco to foreign
ports the Pacific.
General Bingham delivered a powerful argument
IN favor Of his amendment. which would require
appropriation of $3.50 OOo instead Of $500 600 proposed
by the Senate. He showed that equity demands
readustment OF the compensation paid for the trans
portatien Of the foreign mails in American steamships
when the law of 1855 enacted which provided that
they should the and inland postage for that
service, the rates Of postage to foreign countries
more than four times high they now are. and
the reduced rates demand the basis of compensa
ton shall be changed 10 correspond in degree
with the reduction.
Chairman Dlount replied in a speech which
loud enough. and his gestures emphatic enough,
1t is only fair TO say that he did not successfully
attack General Bngham's argument He planted
himself Don Dcknson's free trade, antiAmerican
letter. and shouted Subsidy" Subsidy" the top
Of his voice. he declared that the increased COM
rensaton, If granted, would benefit only the Pacific
Mall Steamship Company aud few other lines, which
would divide the money among themselves. Mr..
Blount also made startling declaration that the
mall service between the United states and South and
Central America is ample and satisfactory state
does not agree with the report Of the superintendent
OF foreign mails, which was approved by the Post
nlastsrGeneraL
CONTRASTS TO THE UNITED STATES POLICY.
Governor Dngley's speech covered the whole
ground, and it evidently worried the Democrats Re
ferrng to the offer Of the Argentine Republic to pay
100000 per annum to establish and maintain regular
postal and commercial communication with the United
States provided this country would appropriate an
equal sum, he said that he late PostmasterGeneral
had expressed himself in favor of cooperation with
that Republic, but thus far the best that the great
and rich Republic Of the United states could offer
was a pitiful $4,000 per annum, while ali the mails
between the United States and Europe, with a single
exception are carried in vessels which fly foreign
Gag Last year the murifcent sum of S39371 was
paid to American steamships for the transportation
Of rs foreign mails 10 the West Indies ana Central
and South America, of which SlO,6O4 was paid to the
CnIted states and Brazil Line, or al the rate OF
$3.50 for the round of 10000 miles In the same
wear Great Britain paid S32O60OO for her foreign
mall service; France paid S5l52Ooo, and Brazil
paid s., 223, 0oO
Judge Holman. of course, opposed the amendment
and cried Subsidy"
Mr.. FELTON,, Of California, made capital speech IN
favor Of the foreign mail service on the Pacific lie
showed that only $4,000 per year Is paid by the
United States for that service to American steamship
companies while the Government actually received
for postage 100000 to $4,000 per annum, ana ~mle
transport alton Of mails TO the United states. ne
commerce between this country and Au5tralasia
smounts 10 about SEA 100000 annually. Of which
sbout s14 600 600 are imports ard $1OOOO,OOO OK
ports Mr.. FELTON, gave notice TO the House ina unless
nc Government within the next three months. shall
,grec TO deel fairly with the American steamship Com
pany Il Will decline 10 maintain the service. whlch,
In that event Will 1a into the HANDS OF the British
line whose steamers hail from Victoria british Co
lumbia. - . +, ,,...,,.
when the House adjourned that The discussion might
consume q good part Of Tomorrow Session inc
House probably VIII rJccl me lln-nAl
but may yet form the basis of compromise IN The
conference committee.