Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-12-08
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
A FLEET OF WAR.SHIPS ORDERED
OFF TO HAYTI.
House Democrats and the Senate
Tariff BilI-Mrs. Potter's Stolen
Jewels-The Lost Notes.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE nnconD-usroS.l
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
In the House.

WASHINGTON, December THIN the
House to-day favorable report was made
on Morrow's resolution instructing the Sec
retary of the Treasury to report what
service of relief can be rendered by the rev.
enue cutter service to American whaling
vessels wrecked in Behring Sea and the
Arctic Ocean. The resolution was agreed
to.
The general pension bill, carrying an ap-
preparation of SSl, 767, 500, was reported and
placed on the calendar.
The Nicaragua canal bill was then
brought up.
Spinola of New York offered an amend
ment to strike out the clause which ratifies
the agreement between the canal company
and the Nicaraguan Government. Spinola
said the amendment should prevail for the
protection of American stockholders of the
company, who know not what that agree
ment is.
Cox of New York opposed the amend
ment and made speech in favor of the
bill, presenting an argument as TO its con-
Stltutlonallty. Congress has the power un-
der the Constitution 10 regulate commerce
with foreign nations, and this bill comes
under that head. He favored extending
commerce in the southern seas, and the
canal will bring the commerce and opu-
lence of the Orient to America. He OPP
destroy the force of the bill
Farquhar of New York eloquently ad-
vocated the passage of the bill. It would
benefit the commerce of the country
stimulate ship building and revive inter
est in the American merchant marine
Weaver of Iowa declared the bill one
of the most important before Congress for a
decade in its relations to American COM
merce. He warmly advocated the bill.
IAlr &c lid Il al, . l. :
constitutional, and vigorously opposed it on
that ground.
Ranor of Maryland replied to him, re-
futing his statements and quoting decisions
of the Supreme Court in parallel cases.
He declared the bill constitutional and
made an eloquent and earnest appeal for
its passage. 1t would restore the supremacy
of the American merchant marine, cause
ship-yards to spring up along the Pacific
and Atlantic Coasts and the American flag
would again float from the mastheads of
ships in seas whence it has long ago van
isned,
Kern of Iowa asked if the charter, if OBJ.
tanned, would not be allowed to become IN
operative in favor of the Panama Canal.
Clardy of Missouri replied no, that the
Panama Canal Company was fighting the
bill.
Blount of Alabama alleged when the
NlCdIdSud OOlnpdIy uaU ODtdlHeu d Cndr-
ter they would 90 further and ask Congress
to appropriate large sums to maintain the
canal.
Spinola's amendment was rejected.
Holman offered an amendment which
provides that nothing in the bill shall be
construed as committing the United States
Government to assuming any liabilities of
the canal company as to debts or contracts,
or guaranteeing any acts OF the company,
or in any way being responsible on the
,company's account.
Cobb of Alabama offered as an amend
ment to this that the above proviso shall be
printed on every bond and certificate of
stock issued by the company.
Both amendments were adopted.
Bland of Missouri offered an amend
ment providing that Congress reserves the
right to repeal the charter and TO regulate
the tolls.
The amendment was adopted by a vote
of y ayes and 62 noes, the Eastern and
Northern members voting against it.
An amendment was agreed to requiring
commencement of work on the canal within
three years.
After further debate in favor of the bill,
an effort was made to limit the general de-
bate so that a vote could be taken this
afternoon. Opposition was made to the
latter effort, and filibustering motions were
made by several Illinois members among
whom were Denham, Payson and Adams.
The House, at 4:30, took recess until
7:30 P. NJ, when the private pensions bill
was considered.
AT the evening session the House passed
ten pension bills, and at 10 O'Clock ad-
ourned until Monday.