The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-28
THE HOUSE.
The Senate Shipping Bill With Amendments
Passed

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27-In the House
this morning the Senate bill was passed
amendatory of the law providing for the Sc
lection of school lands.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole, resuming consideration of the
Shipping Bill.
The House substitute for the Senate bill
was read by paragraphs for amendment
Herbert of Alabama offered an amend
ment withdrawing the subsidy from sailing
vessels and confning it to steamships. The
amendment was defeated.
Clunie of California offered an am mendment
providing that payment shall not be made
tor more than IA 000 miles sailed on either
Ihe outward or inward voyage. The bill
limits 1t to 1000 miles. Lost.
StruDle of Iowa offered an amendment
providing that the measurement OF dis
lahces De made IN accordance with the short
est practicable route. Lost.
hogeIs OF Arkansas offered an amendment
providing that one-half of the crew of YES
sels enjoying the benefits OF this act shall
be citizens of the United States, or persons
slgnlIylng their Intention of becoming such,
without regard to race, color or previous
condition of servtude. Agreed to.
An amendment by Struble, providing that
the owners and officers of any ship receiving
a bounty shall have no interest in any cargo
carried, was lost.
An amendment by Grosvenor, providing
that no sailing vessel of less than 1000 gross
tonnage shall be entitled to the benefits of
this act, was agreed to.
An amendment by Covert of New York
was agreed TO, providing that the record of
American shipping by which the classifica-
tlon ana standing of vessels to be benefited
IS determined, shall be approved by the
commissioner of Navigation and majority
OF the Boards of Underwriters of New York,
Boston. Philadelphia, New Orleans and San
Francisco.
AT o'clock the committee rose and re-
ported the bill to the House, without amend
ment, no vote having been taken in the COM
mittee upon the substitute
Falquhar formally offered the House sub
sutute for the Senate bill, and Springer
made the point OF order that this being Fri
day, the House was in recess until o'clock.
But the point was overruled by the Speaker
on the ground that a special order suspended
the general rule.
Then the House became scene of confu-
SION, growing out of this parli amentary
tange.
Fithian Of Illinois obtained permission to
offer the free-ship substitute, which was
lost-ayps H. noes 172.
The House substitute was then agreed to
144 to A.
The vote then recurring on ordering the
Senate bill, as amended by the substitute. to
Its third reading, the roll was called amid
intense excitement.
AS the call came 10 a close, and 1t was
known that the motion had been defeated,
there were many manifestations of pleasure
on the Democratic side.
AT the last moment, however Dingley
changed his vote 10 the negative and the
Speaker announced the vote to be: Ayes
49, noes 14S
The announcement was greeted with wild
applause by the Democrats, and then Ding
ley moved to reconsider, a motion which
McMlllIn promptly moved to lay on the
table.
his motion was defeated-146 to 149-and
the Republicans were iubilant.
Then came the vote on the motion to re-
conSlder-l4S to 143-and the question again
required on ordering the bill to It's third
reading.
The third reading was ordered-ayes 147,
noes I45.
Cannon of Illinois moved that the bill be
recommited to the COMMITTEES on Merchant
Marine and Fisheries, with instructions to
that committee to report back forthwith
bill (>imilar &c the Senate bill on the same
subJecD to provide for ocean mail service
between the United States and foreign ports
Bland OF Missouri raised point of order
against the motion.
The Speaker ruled Cannon's motion in
order and 1t was carried-143 TO 49,
Farquar of New York immediately
arose ana reported back the bill in accord
ance with instructions.
lhe Dill having been read, a fuslllade of
botheS VI oiuci Ialuo lIUu the democratic
side.
Crisp raised the point that she bill must
be considered in committee of the whole.
pending which the point was raised that the
bill had lost its privileged character and
must take its place at the foot of the calen-
dar.
The Speaker overruled the point of order
and the Senate bill, with amendments, was
passed-ayes 140, noes 100.
Farquhar moved that conference be or
dered, aud pending action the House at mid
night adjourned.
The shipping Bill as passed is radically
different from the Senate measure. 1t
merely authorizes the Postmaster General
to enter into such contract for not less than
five nor more than ten years with American
citizens for carrying mails on American
steamships between United States ports and
foreign ports, Canada excepted, as will sub
serve and promote the postal and CONNER
cial interests of the United States-the mail
service to be equitably distributed among
Atlantic, Mexican Gulf and Pacific Coast
ports. The vessels contracted with must be
of American build and officered by Ameri-
can citizens. The rate of compensation TO
be paid for such service shall not exceed S4
per mile for first-class ships, 81 per mile for
secOnd-class and 56 cents for third-class
ships.