The San Francisco call., 1897-12-16
PettIgreW's Amendment for
the determination of the
Herd Defeated.
MEASURE TO SEND FOOD
TO KLONDIKERS.
Provision for the Next Census
Causes a Spirited Debate on
Civil Service.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL
CALL OFFICE, RIGGS HOUSE,
IA ASrtTNcrncr u q NJ

TIE proceedings of the Senate to-day
we're enlivened by an interesting debate
upon the bill presented by the Foreign
Relations Committee providing for the
prohibition of pelagic sealing by Ameri-
cans. The provisions of the measure were
explained by Davis, chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee, who said
that it was in aid Of negotiations pending
among the representatives. of the Govern
menls of the United States, Great Britain,
Russia and Japan.
Pettigrew of South Dakota sharply an
tagonized the measure, saying that this
country had already suffered more than
enough humiliation on account OF the
seal business and that he favore the
settlement of the question BY killing all
of the seals IS they appeared at the rook-
ries of the Pibil0f Islam Is if by the lst
Of June next Great Britain also had not
agreed 10 the prohibition OF pelagic seal
ing. He offered an amendment to thai
effect, bat it was defea ted. The bill was
passed by vote of 81 to II.
Mcbride OF Oregon endeayored to secure
the adoption of ms resolution directing
the Secretary of War to supply relief to
the suffering miners in the klOndike
region, and appropriating $3.50 900 for that
purpose. The resolution was amended so
tha the supplies might be trans ported by
means of reindeer. Mcbride consented
finally that the resolution should be recon-
mitted TO the Military Affairs Committee,
with the understanding that it would be
promptly reported.
The session closed with a spirited civil
service debate upon the Dill presented by
the Census Committee, providing for the
appointment of a director of The censu.
and thirty-two employees, who shall form
the skeleton of an office force for the
twelfth census.
GalIinger of New Hampshire secured the
adoption OF a resolution directing the Secre-
tary of the Treasury to transmit TO Congress
al cores pondeuce regarding the legal right
OF collectors OF internal revenue to appoint
their own assistants and also the correspond
ence with the civil Service Commission relat-
ing to the right OF the commission to review
the appointments made by such collectors
Allen OF Nebraska presented resolution
requesting the President, if not iucOm patible
tn the interest of the Government, 10 send
TO Congress the instructions given to the in
ternational monetary commissioners the re-
ports they have made and the correspondence
relating 10 the subject. On objection the
resolution went over until tomorrow.
The concurrent resolution adopted BY the
House providing for recess OF Congress from
Saturday. December 1S 1897 to Wednesday
January s. 1898, laid before the Senate
and referred TO The Committee on Appropria-
ton.
Mcbride of Oregon called M his resolution
directing the Secretary OF War to purchase
food and supplies and TO trans port such sup
plies may be offered for the relief of the
American miners and other sufferers in the
valley of the Yukon River and opriating
S20O,OOO TO deiTaY the necessary expenses.
An amendment 10 the resolution providing
for The transportation of the supplies by means
OF reindeer was adopted.
Hawley moved tnat the resolution be re-
ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs,
prom ising that it should have prompt consld-
eTaticn.
Mcbride, after stating his reasons desiring
immediate action, said that he was satisfied
with the assurances OF Hawley and would con-
sent to the reference OF The resolution 1t was
therefore referred.
Davis OF the Foreign Relations Committee
called Up the bill prob biting the killing IF fur
seals IN the waters Of the North Pacific Ocean,
and presen ed letters from Secretaries Sher-
man OF the State Department and Gage of the
Ire asuEy D spartmeht favoring the immediate
passage OF the proposed measure. Davis ex-
pleiued that the bill was in aid of furth erlng
diplomatic negotiations.
Alter explaining the law at present bearing
upon the tur seal question, Davis pointed out
that there was now no law prohibiting pela-
sealing and that this shameful admission
10 be made by the representatives. OF the
United states Ia the negotiations With othor
countries looking TO the suspension of such
sealing.
Pettigrew of South Dakota entered q sbsrp
protest to the passage of the bill because 1t
deprived Americans OF privileges accorded TO
people OF other countries, He thought It was
pose OF the question by killing all of h- seals
as they land upon the Pri5ilof Islands. He
thought that The United States had suffered
enough humiliation on account OF the seal
bu ,iness and he believed that the proposed
bill ought TO be amended that if Great
Britain did not by The 1st of June next agree
10 q suspension of pelagic sealing this country
would kill the seals, male and female and
thus settle the question once for all.
Pettigrew then offered amendment to the
bill in line with his remarks.
Davis protested against the adoption of
Pettigrews amendment He thought that
because Great Britain aid not comply to our
terms. il was not a sufficient reason for this
country 10 enter upon unexampled
butchery OF a beautiful and useful animal
He ex pressed the opinion that the carrying
into effect OF Petugrew's proposition would
bring odium upon this country that would
stain US forever.
Perkins of California thought the adoption
of the amendment would be en- evidence Of
impotence. He would, he said, be ashamed to
see such provision upon our statute-b books.
He believed ii the duty of Congress 10 pass the
bill as presented by the committee, and he
was satisfied the negotiations pending would
soon bring about an amlceble and satisfactory
settlement of the sea- question.
Replying, Peti1Grew expressed the opinion
that the adoption OF the amendment would
result IN the preservation OF the seal herd
He thought If England would not enter in to a
mutual agreement for the preservation of the
herd justice demanded that this country
should kill the seals. thus finally disposiug of
them. He thought it would be no more in
human and less troublesome to kill the entire
Spooner Of Wisconsin asked PeltipreE il he
believed that Great Britain, as a self-respect-
ing nation, would enter into any agreement if
this Government should meet it with sucn
threat as that implied in his (Petigrew's)
amendment
Replying. Pettigrew said the United States
had been trying for four years 10 secure an
agreement with England for he prote ction of
the seals and had failed. England refusing
even TO enter upon the negotiations.
"For one he continued al am tired OF wait
Ing upon England in this as in other matters
1t is hum1liating that we should be compelled
10 do so; not only IN the fur seal, but in Cuban
lnd financial estions, hesitating to declare
Dur Independence because OF England's pos
sible opposition. The only interest England
has III protecting the Spanish In nterest in Cuba
is that piled in the fact that Lom bard street
holds the Spanish bonds. This being the case
we can do nothing for suffering Cuba unless
Great Britain is willing. So 1t is in financial
matters, and thus it happens that we must
send a comn mission to fawn at the feet OF the
money-lenders OF London to ascertain
whether they are willing that we should do
thus and so in the matter of our own fnan ces -
National pride and nonor he SAID, are op-
posed TO further diplomatic negotiations upon