The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-17
POOR JACK OBJECTS
AFRAID That The CAT Is TO BE
RESURREOTED.
His Fears 80 Lead him to interpret the
Senate Substitute for the House Bill Re
latiag to Punishments In the Merchant
Marine = Senators Hale and Frye are
BIamed-Frye Denies That the Bill Can
be SO Construed and Points Out Alleged
Weaknesses In the House Blu - Con-
greSsi0nal News

Cleveland, o., Jan. 16.-Senators Frye
and Hale, who were responsible for the
senate substitute for house bill No. 1858,
| which restores flogging in the merchant
marine, are being severely condemned by
representatives Of the 100000 members
of the Western Seamen's society and its
various branches.
At a meeting Of the local trustees Of the
organization, VINO are prominent bust
ness men. the following resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
Resolved. That the Western Seamen's
society, with its various branches along
the lakes from Buffalo toi Duluth and on
the rivers from Pittsburg TO New Orleans
including 100000 sailors and river men,
protest against the senate substitute for
house bill No. 1888, which restores fog
g.ng in our merchant marine, changing
entirely the nature OF the bill now be-
fore congress, which was intended TO al
,eviate some of the worst features of poor
Jacks life.
Resolved, That we are astonished that
such men as Senators Frye and Hale
should be the authors of so barbarous a
clause.
Resolved. That our general superinten
dent correspond with the American Sea-
mems Friend society and other denonin-
ationai seamen's societies throughout the
country. urging them to call mass meet
ings and protest against this bill"
The resolutions then endorse the Plim-
sol act. which, it is said, has worked so
satisfactorily to the British sailor and
ship owner as a substitute. A copy of
the resolutions will be forwarded to the
Speaker Barton.
FRYE SAYS IT DOESN'T.
Washington, Jan. Ex-senator Frye,
chatham of the committee on commerce,
who drew the provisions of the substitute
for house bill 1853, which has passed the
senate, says that the provision Of the bill
cannot be construed TO mean the restora-
ton of flogging on the high seas The
provision of the bill as il passed the SEN
ate is as follows:
Every master or other officer Of an
American vessel on the high seas or any
other waters within the admiralty and
maratime jurisdiction OF the United
States who, without justifable cause.
beats or wounds or imprisons the MEM
bers of the crews of vessels, or with
holds from them suitable food and nour-
ishment, or inf1icts upon them any cruel
ana unusual punishment, shall be pun
iShed by fine of not more than 81 900
of by imprisonment not more than five
years, or BOTH
The provision in the house bill was as
follows:
Every ma ter or officer Of any Amer
lean vessel on the high seas or any other
waters within the admiralty and mara
time jurisdiction OF the United States
who wfllfully beats, wounds. or without
Justifiable cause, imprisons any of the
crew of such vessel, or withholds,'' etc.
Senator Frye says that the house bill
would allow any sailor to attack the
master or other officer and that he could
not defend himself or his vessel. The
sailors. through attorneys. have insisted
that the senate bill would restore fog
ging, but Senator Frye says that it can
not be construed in any such manner
The substitute was reported from the
committee on commerce December q
last and passed the senate January7.