The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-02

WASHINGTON, April 1.-Ocean mail
subsidies brought on an animated dis
cussion in the senate today, during the
consideration of the Dostoffice appro-
priation bill. Mr.. Villas opposed sub
sides and pointed out many instances
of which he declared excessive pay
ments for mail service.
Mr.. Perkins of California, energetic
ally defended the subsidies for their
encouragement to American shipping.
The subsidy item was reserved for
separate vote tomorrow, The balance
Of the postofiice appropriation bill was
completed.
Mr.. Call introduced a resolution of
a radical character concerning Cuba,
pronosing the immediate use of a Unit
ed States naval force to protect Ameri-
cans in Cuba from atrocities, and for
humane reasons in general.
Mr.. Georges speech on the Dupont
case occupied most of the day and is
not yet completed.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
In the senate today Butler CPoD) of
North Carolina introduced a bill re-
quiring the acceptance of the current
legal tender funds in payment of
notes, bonds or private obligations. The
senator explained the purpose of the
measure was to put a stop to gold
notes, gold mortgages, etc, which
were being wrung from the people ow-
ing to the financial distress. Both old
parties, said the senator, favored this
plan in their platforms and this bill
was proposed TO make the party prom
ises good by law.
Does this propose to effect the ex-
listing contrac.s2" asked Hill.
1T does not" responded Butler, Il
do not believe in breaking contracts"
The bill was referred 70 the finance
committee.
At this point Mr. Call of Florida, Of
fered a Joint resolution directing the
sending of an adequate naval force to
Cuba to put an end to barbarities and
the violation of treaty obligations The
resolutions are as follows:
Resolved, That the continued viola
tons of the usages and rules OF war be-
tween civilized people, the inhuman
and brutal outrages on men, women
and children, constantly reported on
reasonable evidence. either authorized
or permitted, not only on the Cuban
revolutionists, but also on citizens of
the United States, now carried on be-
tween the government of Spain and
the revolutionar@ forces organized as
the republic of Cuba,
DEMANDS THE IMMEDIATE AC-
TON
by the United States. not only for the
protection of the citizens of the Unit
ed States, who have become residents
and acquired interests in Cuba under
treaties with Spain for their protection,
but also under the higher considera-
tons of common humanity and civ
iiization, shocked and imperiled by bar
barities and cruelties known only in
the darkest, most cruel and most bloody
periods of human history
Resolved, That an adequate naval
force of the United States shall be
Immediately sent to Cuba, sufficient to
protect, by force if necessary, citizens
of the United States from wrong and
the violation of treaty obligations be-
tween Spain and the United States.
Resolved, That the president of
the United States communicate to the
government of Spain these resolutions
and inform that government that the
United States
WILL FORCIBLY INTERVENE
to protect the rights of American citi-
zens and the interests of civilization
If there shall be a further occurrence
of murder and outrage, or the shoot
ing or putting to death of prisoners of
war in the conflict between the Span
ish and the revolutionary forces of
Cuba
The resolutions went over under the
rules until tomorrow.
Mr.. George, of Mississippi. then re-
sumed his speech in opposition to the
claims of Mr.. Dupont to a seat in the
senate.
MIR. PETER gave notice that his mo-
IN toll
senate inquiry into the recent bond is
sues would be made tomorrow
Consideration of the postoffice appro-
priation bill was then resumed
Mr.. Villas then renewed his opposi-
ton to ocean mail subsidies He said
that although this service increased
the cost to the government by 100000
annually, yet no new lines were
started and no better service was
given. In 1857, prior to the payment
of subsidies. the total cost of our
foreign mails was S4s0105. while the
present bill appropriated 1880. 900 for
the same service. Mr.. Villas said the
international or American line received
$220,O00 last year for carrying $50 tons
of American mail, while the Cunard. or
British line, received S144, $50 last year
for carrying 65S tons of American
mail-the British line carrying twice
the amount at two-thirds the cost.
Mr.. Hawley (Rep., Comm interposed
to state that four of the ships of the
American line were equipped for arm
ament and were subject to call by the
United States.
NOT AVAILABLE.
Mr.. Villas said these ships were not
available for war except for transpor-
tation purposes.
Mr.. Hawiey insisted that the Brit
ish government had fitted her merchant
marine as auxiliary cruisers and re-
garded them as q material branch of
her navy, not only for transporting but
for fighting purposes.