The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-04
THE SENATE'S WORK.
Several Appropr!ats"n Bulls Pas.ed-rhe
Postal Subsidy.


Postal Subsidy.
In the senate the tonnage subsidy bill
was taken up early. Democratic senators
generally denounced subsidies, and rev.
eral offered free ship amendments.
Finally the house amendment, substitut-
ting the postal subsidy for the shipping
bill, was concurred in by vote OF 81 to
SO, number OF democrats voting with
the majority through fear that if the bill
went to conference worse steal would be
engralted upon it. The bill now goes to
the president
THE bill authorizes the postmaster-general
10 contract with the lowest bidder for terms OF
not less than i've nor more than ten years with
American citizens Tor carrying the mails on
American steamships between ports OF the
United States and foreign ports lexciuding
Canada.) The vessels are TO be American
built ships, owned and officered by American
citizens aud the crew is to be composed OF
American citizens in the following proper
tons: During the first TWO contract years one.
fourth, the next three One-thTd, and the remain
ing time ar least one-half. The vessels are TO
be constructed after the latest aud most ap-
proved types. divided into four classes, as
follows: First class, iron or steel, twenty-knot
vessels of not less than 5000 tons (tae Ameri-
can-English mails are 10 be carried on this class
entIrely); second class, iron or steel, sixteen
knot vessels of not less than 5000 tons; fourth
class, iron, steel or wooden fOur,een.knOt
vessels OF not less than 1850 tons.
The compensation to be paid for mail service
is as follows: FIRST class, 81 per mile; second
Glass; $2 per mile, 10y the shortest practicable
route for each outward voyage: third class, 81
per mile; fourth class. 662s cents per mile for
the number OF miles required by the postotice
department. 10 be Travelled on each outward
voyage. Provision is naie for deductions on
account of omitted voyages or delays, for the
transportation OF n mail messenger on each
vessel; for carrying apprentices or cadets OF
American birth Tone for each thousand tons)
for the use of the vessels by the United States
as transports or cruisers upon payment TO the
owners of the actual value at the time of TAX
ing, and for the assignment to duty on the yes
sells under furlough pay of naval officers who
may volunteer for the service.
Mr.. Gray was appointed member Of
the committee on commercial relations
with Canada. Mr.. Manderson was elected
president pro TEN. and vote of thanks
extended to Mr.. Ingalls,. House bills in
relation to the Hawiian reciprocity treaty,
and making 81, 100000 Immediately avail
able for levee work on the Mississippi,
passed.
The postal appropriation bill was taken
up and the item of 81 100000 for trans
portation of foreign mails, after hot op-
position by the democrats, was reduced
TO 81 100000, and inserted with a pro-
vision that sailing vessels carrying the
mails must be owned by U. s. citizens
and built in the United States. The bill
then passed. The conference report on
the Indian depredations claim was agreed
to. The committee on Pacific railroad
debts was continued during the recess.
The conference report on the bill sus-
pending for one year the requirement for
life-saving apparatus on lake vessels was
agreed to.
The agricultural appropriation bill was
then taken up. An amendment, allow
ing sorghum sugar-makers the use OF dis
titled spirits free of tax was adopted !;
also, one appropriating $4,000 for the
publication of the best method OF irriga-
ton. Mr.. Paddock tried TO get in his pure
food bill, as an amendment, but il was
ruled out. The bill was laid aside and
the rules committee ordered TO sit during
the recess and decide what change shall
be made in the manner OF showing re-
spect for deceased members. The presi-
dent vetoed the bill allowing the court of
claims 10 inquire into the extra cost, by
reason of the advance in prices, OF the
construction OF the ships Agawama and
Pentoosuc, and pay the contractor the dif-