Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-07-14


WASHINGTON, July 14-The House passed
the day in debating the Mail subsidy CLAUSE
| in fhe postoffice appropriation bill.
Mr.. Blount of Georgia presented the con
ference report on the postoffice appropria
ton bill. An agreement had been reached
on all amendments excepting the Senate
mail subsidy amendment. The rate OF
postage on seeds, bulbs and roots had been
fixed at one cent for each two ounces. The
report was agreed to.
Mr.. Bingham then moved to concur in
Senate subsidy amendment, with an
amendment reducing the appropriation
from $500, 600 to $3.50, 900. Authorizing an
increase of mail facilities to China, Japan,
the Sandwich Islands and Australia, as
well as to Central and South America and
providing that American ships carrying
mails shall be allowed four times the pres
ent rate of compensation. The question
presented. Mr.. Bingham said, was not one
of subsidy or bonus, but q readjustment of
compensation under the law of 1858. Pos
tage was the basis of compensation to
steamships. and that basis had been radi-
cally changed since 1858. Then the rate of
postage TO Great Britain was "a cents, to
France so cents, to Germany 80 cents.
w HOW Lie pOSldgt W THESE
was but cents, and il was not Just to COM
pensate the steamship companies now un-
der the infiexible law of 1857 The condi-
tions were different yesterday, and fair
made.
Mr.. Blount opposed the amendment and
the subsidy system. England's subsidies,
as general rule, he said, had gone to her
colonies and had been profitable, while the
same system adopted by France and
Germany had resulted in bankruptcy to
their lines, and he was opposed to this
country adopting any such policy.
Mr.. Dingley, of Maine. thought the
amendment proposed only fair and reason
able. Compensation and not subsidy, and
unless something were done to increase
compensation, American steamship lines
now running to South and Central America
and the east would disappear entirely
within five years. Wise statesmanship de-
manded an increase in our means of postal
and commercial intercourse with the lead
ing countries Of South America
Mr.. Holman opposed subsidies in general
and this in particular.
Mr.. Owen of Indiana, favored the amend
ment as 4 means of advancing the business
interests of the country.
Mr.. Nelson, of Minnesota, said the Gov
ernment had put the merchant marine in q
sort of straight jacket. l said to people
wishing to invest their capital in ships:
You cannot engage in this enterprise un-
less you buy American vessels
He referred to Norway. a country 50
poor she could not subsidize a single ship.
and yet with free trade and free ships she
stood next TO the United States in tonnage
and commerce.
Mr.. Dockery, of Missouri, argued against
subsidies and said the effect of the pending
amendment if it became law, would be to
discourage the building of additional lines,
and enable poor men like Jay Gould and
Russell Sage to prevent competition to the
Pacific mail steamship company.
Pending further debate, the House at S
O'Clock took recess until p. m.
THE SENATE
The feature of the Senate proceedings
yesterday was Senator Dolph's speech in
opposition to the fisheries treaty.
Mr.. Dawes presented a protest of large
number of wool manufacturers and deal
ers against the legislation proposed in the
Mills tariff bill.
A bill appropriating $50, 600 for public
building at Waubesha, Mimi, was reported
and placed on the calendar.
The following bills were passed: Appro-
priating SIS, 600 to build road to the
National Cemetery at Baton Rouge, La;
bridge across the Mississippi
river at Waubesha, Mimi; appropriating
5000, 900 for branch soldiers home in
Grant county, Indiana.
Consideration of the fishery treaty was
resumed and Mr.. George finished his speech
begun Thursday in favor of its ratifica-
ton.
Mr.. Dolph then spoke in opposition to
the treaty. Under the treaty of 1918.
Great Britain, he said, had secured q com
promise by which the fishing rights of this
country had been greatly restricted. The
fishermen of this country were willing to
abide by it. The operations of the Cana
dian government against American fisher
men had been fragrant violations of treaty
rights, and had been resorted to for the
purpose of driving the United States into
the admission of free fish. The pending
treaty proposed to surrender the American
position concerning bays and harbors, and
the American claim to reciprocal commsr.
cial privileges, and to purchase partial COM
mercial privileges for American fisherman.
He quoted from Senator Morgsn's speech
in support of the retaliation act of March,
1887, and alluding to the fact that
had been charged with
being governed by political consider
atoms in opposing the treaty, ask
sudden change of position on this
question. Politics had caused il. The de-
rec had gone forth that the State Depart
nent and the administration mnst be sup
ported in this matter. Mr. Dolph did not
lear war with Great Britain, even if this
treaty was rejected. The sentiment of the |
two countries was in favor of peace, and |
peaceful means of settling differences were
10 great as to prevent war.
He was free to admit that with the ex- |
posed coasts of the United States, and with |
is unprotected coastwise commerce, the |
country did not want q war with Great /!
Britain. And he was equally sure that |
treat Britain could not afford war with |
he United States.
At the call of even the present pro- En- |
,lish administration, in case of war, armed |
men would spring into the field from every |
'tate and territory, TO make the conquest |
# the Canadian provinces; and a few |
months of hostilities would find American |
,rivateer on every sea where British mer- |
hant vessel was TO be found. There were |
ome things more to be dreaded than war.
When a nation basely yielded to unjust de-
nands, it lost its own self-respect, and the |
espect of other nations.
House bill appropriating $4,000 for
'ublic building at Brownsville, Texas, was
eported and placed on the calendar.
The Senate then, at 5:25, adjourned until |
iondsy next.
OF Interest to Inventors.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE Senate Com |
nittee on Patents yesterday decided to re-
ort favorably upon private bill 70 extend |
ba life of cipa pa tent " hich W ahouf