The Portland daily press., 1891-03-03
SENATE DIGS A TONNAGE BILL GRAVE.
The Measure that Would Revive
Maine's Shipping Defeated.
The Heirs of George w. Lawrence
Will Not Receive Relief.
Both Houses OF Congress Working
as Fast as They Can TO the End.
Especial to the Press. ]

lSpeclal 10 the ffcsSl
WASHINGTON, March To-day the Dem
ocsats In the Senate allowed the postal sub
sidy bill to come to vote In exactly the form
In which it passed the House. This did not
allow the bill to 20 into conference be-
tween the two Houses. In one sense this
was fortunate since 1t ensured the postal
subsidy, which now only awaits the Presi-
dents approval, but with this failure to
have conference disappeared the last hope
of getting anything favorable to the Com
mercial Marine of Maine and New England.
The postal subsidy will be advantageous
to the whole nation, because it will open
lines OF communications absolutely essen
tial for the development of American trade !;
but to the general merchant marine it will be
Of little help. The bill authorizes the Post
master General to enter into contracts for a
term Of not less than five. nor more than ten
years in duration, with American citizens for
the carrying Of mails on American steam
snips between ports of the United States
and such ports In foreign countries, Canada
excepted, as In his judgment will best sub
serve and promote the postal and CONNER
cial interests of the United States. The
mail service on such lines to be equitably
distributed among the Atlantic, Mexican,
Gulf and Pacific ports. The vessels used for
this service must be American built, owned
and officered by Americans and having from
a quarter to a half of its crew Americans.
The rates Of subsidy must be from two
thirds of a dollar mile to four dollars g
mile for each mile Of each outward voyage
by the shortest practicable route. The rate
of compensation per mile Is to be determined
by the grade Of the vessel. whether 1t be a
first, second or third class rate
The copyright bill was filibustered against
in the House a short time today, as 1t came
out of conference. But the flibuste rs we're
not successful and the bill seems sure to
pass.
There is considerable speculation as to
what the Democrats will do about the GUS
tomary vote of thanks to the Speaker. Many
of them will, undoubtedly, feel disposed to
join In 1t, and some are Of the opinion that
the whole Democratic side will join IL, but
this seems hardly probable. The whole
Democratic stock in trade In this Congress
has been abuse Of the Speaker, and the
Democrats can hardly take all their abuse
back without acknowledging that in the past
they have been arrant demagagues. The
acknowledgment would be true; but hardly
to be expected from the Democrats of this
Congress.
1t is understood that the name of Hon.
Charles r. Libby of Portland, will be pre-
sented to the President for the Office of Uni
ted States Circuit Judge for the first circuit,
under the new law just passed by Congress,
which provides for the appointment Of an
additional circuit judge in each circuit.
The President TODAY vetoed the bill send
ing to The court of claims the claim of the
executors of Geo. w. Lawrence, late of DAM
ariscOtta for extra work on the gunb0ats
Agawam and Pontoosuck during the war.
The amount of the claim is about seventeen
Thousand dollars.
Among Maine people here are DIR. Evans,
wife and sister of Portland: Hon. Roscoe L.
Bowers Of Saco and Mr.. Sawyer of Portland !;
Philip W. Mitchell Of Alfred and David N.
MoItland of R0ckland.