The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-02-27
GENERAL DEBATE ON SHIPPING BILL
Mr.. Mills of Texas Leads the oppo-
nents. He Wants to Know.
Mr.. Gambler Of Massachusetts, as a
Merchant, Opposes the Bill.
The Senate PASSES Several Import
ant BlIls-other Matters. ssC

WASHINGTON, February 26.-In the HOUSE
the bill from the Senate for the relief Of thu
assignees of John Roach, was passed.
In the committee of the whole Mr.. Bur
rows Of Michigan. in the chair. the Hous,
proceeded to general debate on the shipping
bill.
Mr.. Grosvenor OF Ohio, concluded his re-
marks In favor Of the measure, after little
sparring with Mr.. McMillin as to the causes
which led to the recent Republican defeat.
Mr. Mills of Texas, opposed the bill and
ridiculed the reciprocity policy of the pres
ent administration.
Why not build them? They had a protec-
tive policy, which 1t was claimed, brought
down the cost of production. 1t was claimed
that the Mckinley bill cheapened the cost Of
the necessities and had cheapened the wages
Of American laborers In all parts Of the
country. democratic applause.] If the
gentlemen did not like cheapness why insist
on cheapening the wages OF the working
man?
Mr Buchanan of N. j., submitted an ar
gument in support Of the bill, and contrO-
verted the statement made by its opponents
that England paid no subsidies. Great Brit
ain, Germany, France and other countries
had in the past, but did not now pay subsi-
dies. They paid in three ways: BY payment
outright; under the guise of mail payment,
and money under what was called the naval
reserve plan. The United States is not do
Ing Its share OF the ocean carrying trade, all
that remained for 1t to do to secure that share
was to meet like with like.
Mr. Hopkins of Illinois, regretted that an
attempt was made to turn this question into
a party one. 1t was national question and
should be considered as such. He was op-
posed to the bill because he was opposed to
the policy of subsidy: Transportation by
sea had changed its character as much as
transportation by land. 1t would be as we'll
to pay subsidy to the old stage coach in
order to put 1t In competition with the
limited express as to subsidiZe wooden ships
in Maine in order to put them In competition
with great steel steamers which trav0rsed
the ocean. He opposed the measure because
he believed 1t temporiZed with great sub
ject. He objected to the adopting bounty
system in order to aid the wooden ships Of
Maine. The great mass Of American people
would not be benefited.
Mr.. Morrow OF California, in supporting
the measure, emphatically denied the declar-
alton frequently made that the bill was be-
ing pressed by an active lobby.
Mr.. Gambler of Massachusetts,, spoke in
favor of the proposed substitute authorizing
the postmaster general to enter into contract
with American citizens for carrying mails on
American steamships to foreign ports. The
pending bill, he said, looked to general sys.
ten bounty. As a merchant, he protested
against the policy of making profitable the
business OF few at the expense OF many.
He opposed the bill because 1t was unsouhd
In principle and introduced an uncertain
element int the business Of the country.
Mr.. Milliken inquired why the merchants
Of Massachusetts should be protected aud
not the shipyards of Maine.
Mr.. Gambler replied that he could answer
the question, but would not do so, because IL
would be a useless task to attempt to con-
vince the gentleman. he contended that
America should take advantage of its natu-
raj position and extend its commerce, but
not by following the English policy. He be-
lleyed In an Independent American policy.
He would have American ships, built In
American yards, and would establish regular
mail lines. His substitute, he said, provided
that any merchant should have the right to
buy ships in foreign market in order to do
his business more economically. That was
the true business principle.
Mr.. Cummings of New York addressed
the committee in advocacy of the bill, as
tending to build up an American merchant
marine and extend American commerce.
Mr.. ONeill OF Massachusetts. entered a
protest against the passage OF the bill which
proposed to settle upon the taxpayers of the
country additional expense, without proper
tionate recompense. This bill, he said, was
the greatest humbug ever attempted.
Mr.. Fitch OF New York, opposed the bill,
denying that 1t would prove any benefit to
the laboring man. The stock of the Pacific
Mail Steamship company was yesterday
quoted at 49, this afternoon at 40 3-8. The
stockholders of this company were the hon
est laboring men whom Congress was going
to help. Laughter After further discus
sion general debate closed and the committee
and House took recess until O'Clock.
At the evening session of the House the
consideration of the general defici ency ap-
propriations bills proceeded. Mr.. Sayers of
Texas, moved to strike out the paragraph
road for services rendered the governm ent.
After considerable debate an alteration
took place between Messrs. Cannon and
Fithian. There was much confusion in the
House, but ultimately the motion to strike
out was agreed to. The committee rose, the
deficiency bill passed, and the House at IL
p. m. adjourned.