Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-25
CONGRESS-.
Reconstruction Of the u. s.
Navy.
SENATORIAL SHIPBUILDERS.
Republican Senators at Sea as tC
Their Tariff Bill-Alien
Land Law.


Land Law.
WASHINGTON. July 24.-The Senate
proceeded to consideration of the Naval
Appropriation bill. The most important
amendment reported was to add an item
for the construction of three steel cruis-
ers, two of them of about 5000 tons, at
cost not exceeding $l,000,000 each, ex-
elusive OF armament, and one Of about
$500 tons, at cost of not more than
81 800, 900; also three gunboats or cruis-
ers, neither of which shall exceed 1 700
tons displacement, nor 100000 in cost,
including any premium that may be paid
for increased speed, and excluding the
cost of armament; the six vessels to be
built either wholly OF steel or with steel
frames. The amendment also has a
clause to strike out the item about one
armored cruiser of about 500 tons dis
placement, to cost not more than three
and a half million dollars, and also to
strike out the provision that at least one
of the vessels shall be built in the United
States navy yard, and that the other may
be built at any navy yard, if the Secre-
tary of the Navy cannot make reasonable
contracts for their construction.
Gray moved to amend the amendment
by striking out the words 81 ZOO tons"
and inserting "2 900 tons," and increas-
ing the cost from $500, 900 to 500, 900
each.
Stewart moved to amend the House
clause, proposed to be struck out, by
providing for two armored vessels OF
$1,000 tons each, at cost of 100000, 900.
Rejected; yeas 8, nays Al, the afiirma-
tive votes being those of Senators Butler,
Cameron, Evarts, Gibson, Hampton,
Mitchell, Platt, Stewart, and Stock
bridge.
The question was then taken on strik-
ing out the House provision for one $500.
ton armored cruiser, and it was struck
out; yeas 81, nays IL.
The amendment offered by Gray, linn
iting the tonnage of three gunboats or
cruisers to 1900 tons and the cost of
each to $4,000 was agreed to.
The last amendment was the insertion
of the item of $275,O00 for the construc-
tion and armament of one steel practice
vessel of 500 tons for the use of the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. 1t was
agreed to, and the bill was reported back
by the Committee of the Whole to the
Senate without disposirg OF it. The bill
went over till tomorrow.
REL ATIoNs WITH CANADA.
Hoar offered a resolution, which was
referred to the Committee on Contingent
Expenses, for the appointment of com
mittee OF seven Senators to inquire into
and report upon the relations of business
and commerce between the United States
and Canada; the effect on the commerce
carrying trade of the United States, of
the Canadian system of railways and
canals; the prospect of the displacement
OF any American industries by Canadian
industries; the number and amount of
claims against Great Britain ty reason
OF treaty obligation, and with power to
take testimony in any part of the United
States. Adjourned.
nIRECT TAX REFUND.
Senator Sherman from the Finance
Committee to-day reported favorably the
amendment proposed by Senator
Spooner, to the Sundry Civil bill, pro-
viding Tor refunding the direct tax, paid
by the several States and Territories,
under the act of October 5th, 1861, and
for the remission of all moneys still due
the United States on account OF this tax.
This amendment is substantially identi-
cal with the bill for refunding the direct
tax, which caused a prolonged deadlock
in the House.
MEETING OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.
There was full meeting of the Senate
Finance Committee this morning, and an
hour was devoted to an informal discus
sion OF the line of action in regard to the
tariff. Nothing was determined, but at
tie time of adjournment there was an
understanding that the Republican ma
jority of the committee would get to-
gether and see if an agreement could be
reached in respect to measure to be
submitted as substitute for the Mills
bill. If successful in this the measure is
likely to be laid before the Republican
caucus, and when shaped to meet with
any conflicting views which may be de.
veloped there it will, be laid before the
Democrats of the Finance Committee,
and by them before the Democratic eau
Gus for the consideration of line of pol
icy on their part. With SO many
ELEMENTS OF UNCERTAINTY.
No one feels like venturing a guess as
to the kind of measure, if any, which
may be submitted, or the length of the
session. But it is expected that the
present week will determine pretty clear
ly the course of future events.
The Republican members of the Com
mittee remained in conference nearly an
hour after their Democratic colleagues
withdrew. During the afternoon there
were frequent private conferences
with other Republican Senators and with
Republican members of the House. Asa
result the opinion gained headway that
the sub committee will continue it's in
quiry during recess. Should the Repub.
licans adopt this course, final adjourn
ment of Congress may be expected with
in three weeks.
THE REPUBLICAN PROGRAMME.
Among the propositions which have
been suggested as positively to be consid-
cred by the Republican Senators is that
to ring in resolution instructing the
tariff subcommittee to continue hearings
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