The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-27
AMERICAN VESSELS
The Shipping Bill Discussed in
the House.
RECIPROCITY
THE
POLICY
OF the Present Administration Ridiculed by
Mills-AmOs Cummings Favors the
Bill-Others Oppose 1t.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-The House met
at 10 o'clock this morning, there being less
than twenty-five members in attendance.
On motion of Quinn. of New York, the
Senate bill passed for the relief of the as
signees of the late John Roach. The House
then proceeded in committee of the whole
to general debate on the shipping bill,
Grosvenor spoke in favor of the shipping
bill, devoting most of his attention to the
Mckinley bill, which he eulogized. The
reason the Democrats would be in the ma
iority in the next House was that there had
been a misrepresentation and misunder-
standing of the Mckinley bill. The COM
modoties that entered into the daily life of
the people are cheaper than on the lst OF
September last, and cheaper than ever be-
fore In the history eff the country. At the
same time, agricultural products have
brought better prices.
Coleman, of Louisiana, said he was
authoritatively informed that since the
passage of the Mckinley bill the price OF
jute bagging and ties to cotton planters had
been greatly reduced.
Grosvenor, in closing his remarks said
Congress should take advantage OF the Nc
Kinley bill, and send American vessels
covered by the American flag, and CARRYING
American products, to seek for the markets
of the world.
WILLIS, VI leAdS, oPPuoou Guo JILL anu
ridiculed the reciprocity policy of the
present administration. If reciprocity is
wanted why not negotiate with England,
France and Germany? A few months ago
the Republicans put up bars against
foreign trade Now they want it, and in
order to trade want further to tax the
people in order to send ships to foreign
ports to show the American flag and re-
turn in ballast. The Mckinley bill, be
|
| American laborer in all parts of the country.
In conclusion, Mills laid down the doctrine
| of the Democratic party, quoting from
Thomas Jefferson. He affirmed and reaf-
| tirmed that the will of the majority when
expressed was the will of God; but that
will must be reasonable; it must be right
full; it must, by equal laws, protect the
rights of the majority. That was what the
| Democrats were contendlng for.
Hopkins, of Illinois, opposed the bill be-
cause he was opposed to the policy of sub
sidy. 1t was against the policy of the gov
eminent, and always should be, to take
money from the treasury and pay 1T to a
class of persons engaged in private call
ing. That was all the measure. This legis-
lation was modelled on French law, and
that law had proven failure. He objected
to adopting the bounty system in order TO
aid the wooden ships of Maine. The great
mass of the American people would not be
benefited one iota, and yet the bill would
take $50, 100000 of the peoples money.
Morrow, of California, in supporting the
measure, emphatically denied the declara-
ton frequently made that the bill was being
pressed by an active lobby. If there was
such lobby, he never heard of it. The
legislation was requested by representa-
tives of leading commercial organizations
of the Pacific coast. He did not look upon
the measure as partisan one but as one
that should be considered on its merits.
Cummings of New York, advocated the
bill as tending to building up the American
merchant marine and extend American
commerce. The bill would achieve results
that could not be achieved by the passage
of the free ship substitute. Free trade and
sailors rights was good Democratic doc
trine. The shipping interests always had
been allied to free trade. The maritime
prosperity of England might be cited as an
example, but even with free trade hundreds
and hundreds of millions have been drawn
from England in order to increase her
carrying trade. This only illustrated the
skiilful policy of Great Britain to secure
and main tain the carrying trade of every
other nation. 1t was by the use of such
means that England maintained her
supremacy on the seas. She knew how
essential it was for her greatness that she
should maintain the supremacy, and
she did not carp at methods or higgle at eX,
pense This was not protective measure
nor was it gratuitous subsidy, like the
sugar subsidy. 1t was measure to build
up our decayed shipping industry. The
passage of the measure would open the
markets of the world to the products of the
farmers of the west and northwest; II
would stimulate the building of ships to ar
extraordinary extent; 1t would give profit
able occupation to sailors and provide en-
IL f@,, = A n,-t,
, machinists and artisans.
Fitch, of New York. opposed the bill
denying it would prove of any benefit tt
the laboring man. The stock of the Pacifi,
Mail Steamship company was YESTERDAY
quoted at 80; this afternoon it was quoted
at 4036. The stockholders Of this compan,
were honest laboring men whom Congress
> was going to help. [Laughter.l Afte
further discussion the general debat
closed, the committee rose, and the Hous
took recess
At the evening session the House in com
mittee of the whole took up the general de
ticiency bill.
Savers, of Texas, moved to strike GU
f the paragraph appropriating the necessar,
8 amount for payment to the Pacific road
G for services performed for the govern
ment
o Grain opposed the amendment.
Dalzell supported it, speaking of the Gen
trail Pacific especially as fraudulently in
solvent company.
McKenna, of California, opposed tn
= amendment. The Union Pacific had bee
l paid for precisely abe same kind of service
: Both roads were bankrupt. There wa
Q nothing to justify reversal of the judgmen
. of the supreme court. A debt due coul
. not be set off against QUE not due.
After a long debate motion to strik
out was agreed to, 147 to 60. The commit
tee rose and the deficiency bill passed an
r the House adjourned.