Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-14
THE PILOYAGE BILL.
A BIG VICTORY FOR THE
PILOT ASSOCIATION.
No Bill VIII Be Rcportcd---The
Anticipation Bill---Wct
Dock Wanted.
From Our Regular corrospOnden.l

bluSrcu tno puothSo pili, "HiSH N''o
been Of so much interest to Virginia and
other southern States having maritime
business. This matter has been pend
ing oil during the present Congress be-
fore the committee. and not until to-day
has il been possible to get an ex-
preston. 1t will be remembered that
at meeting of the committed Just be-
fore the close OF the last session OF the
House it was agreed vote should be
taken at the first meeting held this SEES
zion. There was O tie vote when the
question came before the committee
during the past session and the dead
lock could not then be broken, because
MIR. Geary, Democratic member from
California, was not present. No one
knew how be stood, and therefore curl
osity was felt as 10 the way he would
vote.
To bring the subject to point the ac-
ton of the committee to-day was de-
feat for the commercial interests of Rich
mond and decided victory for the Pllct
Association and their sympathlzing
friends at Norfolk, Portsmouth, and
other places in that part OF the State.
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.
The committee decided this morning
10 indefinitely postpone the whole ques-
ton. and that means no bill will be re-
ported TO the House. Without o report
from the committee the matter cannot
be brought before the House.
Twelve members of the Commerce
Committee were present They were
MIR. Wise (chairman) and Messrs. Price
of Louisiana, Caruth of Kentucky, Storer
of Ohio, Mallory OF Florida, ONelll OF
Pennsylvania, Patterson of Tennessee,
Rayner of Maryland, Randall of Massa-
chnsetts, Houk of Ohio. Geary OF
California. and Brickner Of Wlscon-
sin. The absentees we're Messrs.
O'Neill of Missouri, Coombs OF New
York, Grain OF Texas, Lind OF Mime
sofa. and Ketcham of New York.
The vote in favor OF IN
definitely postponing the bill stood to
:. and as the absentees number only
five the mater cannot be again re-
oteled. because if all five of the mem
hers not recorded were to vote for re-
porting the measure they could not
change the sentiment Of the committee.
Representative Wise was, of course, IN
favor of reporting the bill. In other
words. he wanted to stand by the wishes
OF the Richmond people. He was out
voted. however, and could not help him
self, though he made a stiff fight. The
Richmond Chamber OF Commerce
last session memorialized Congress
at great length on the subject. contend
ing that the present compulsory pilot
age law, as they hold it to be, is bur
den on the commerce of Richmond. On
the other hand, the commercial organl-
cations of Norfolk, Portsmouth, New
port News, West Point, Hampton, Pc
tersburg, and Alexandria took just the
opposite position, and the latter have
won their victory.
Me.srs. John A. Curtis and 4. b.
Clarke. OF Richmond, were here to-day
themselves in the bill. They
wanted a report made on the measure,
md hoped for success, as they repre-
scented the Chamber of Commerce.
None OF the Norfolk people were
present to-day, but C,pain Oscar Ed
wards. of the Pilots association, and
Nj X. c. Marshall, of Portsmouth,
made q number OF visits to the Capitol
last session il connection with the mat
ter.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, will to-
morrow 10y special appointment appear
before the Commerce Committee to
make an argument i'll favor of the Mica
ragua canal. This project has received
considerable encouragement IN Virginia
and has been endorsed by some OF the
leading commercial organizations OF the
State.
CEDAK-GRovE TRACT.
Constructor Bowles, of the Norfolk
navy. yard, and Hon. John Goode APP
reared to-day before the House Com
mittee on Naval Affairs TO urge the pas
sage of the bill introduced some time
ago by DR.. Lawson, appropriating
5000, coo for the purchase OF the " Ce-
dar- Grove" tract of 80 acres. This land
has a water front of 1900 feet on the
Elizabeth river and is Immediately OPP
posite the Gosport navy-yard. Con-
structor Bowles says 1t is absolutely
needed for the purpose of constructing
a wet dock. Tie bill has already passed
the Senate and awaits action now of the
House committee, of which Representa-
tive Lawson is q member.
ANTI-OpTIoN BILL.
Senator Daniel presented in the Sen
ate to-day variety of petitions. Among
the most important was one from the
Richmond Chamber of Commerce, OPP
posing the passage of the Hatch
Washburn anti-option law. That
measure was taken up by the
Senate to-day. and twill hold the atten-
ton OF the body for some time to come.
The Richmond Chamber of Commerce
hold in their memorial presented to-day
that the enactment of the proposed law
would work great injury to the cotton
industry of the South.
Senator Daniel said to-day that he was
emphatically opposed to the anti-option
bill. and if vote is reached on the
measurs he will be so recorded.
1t is understood that Senator Hunton
iavors the bill, or at least is now strong
" inclined to vote for it on the ground
that something must be done TO break
up the gambling in agricultural products.
ALSO OPPOSED.
Colonel OFerrall presented in the
House to-day a petition from the Nor
folk and Portsmouth Chamber of Com
merce also protesting against the same
bill. He says that he voted for the
Hatch anti-option measure in the House
last session, but with some misgivings,
for the reason that he doubted whether
the proposed remedy would 60 to the
root OF the evil He would support any
bill which could wipe out the
"bucket-shops." but he is fearful that
the pending proposition may seriously
interfere with legitimate trading in the
substantial commercial exchanges, whe, e
actual articles OF many kinds necessari-
ly have to be contracted for in advance
OF delivery, this being true in wheat,
flour, cotton, and corn, that are really
handled in the transactions but have TO
be purchased ahead Of delivery.
Other Virginia members feel in exact
ly the same way, and, therefore, when
the bill gets back TO the House there may
be changes in the votes as east last SEES
sion.
sEvENTH-DAY ADvEST1sTs.
Among other petitions presented by
20 II 10 Aoxf