The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-16
SENATORS TALK OF SEALS.
PETTIGREW OPPOSES THE PRO-
POSED PROHIBITION.

Great Britain Does Not Agree to
Prohibit PeIngic Sealing by June
1.-The Bill Passed by IA Vote of ~
to II in Spite of Mr.. Pettigrew's
Demands.
Washington, Dec. 15.-The proceedings
of the Senate were enlivened to-day by an
interesting debate upon the bill presented
by the foreign relations committee provid
ing for the prohibition of pelagic sealing
by Americans, The provisions of the meas
ure We're explained by Mr.. Davis, chair
man of the foreign relations committee,
who said that it was in aid of negotiations
now pending among the representatives.
of the governments OF the United States,
Great Britain Russia and Japan.
Mr.. Pettigrew of South Dakota sharply
antagonized the measure, saying that this
country had already suffered more than
enough humiliation on account of the seal
business, and he thought it was time to
dispose Of the question by killing all the
seals as they appeared az the rookeries of
the Prybolon Islands, If by the first of
Juno next Great Britain also had not
agreed to the prohibition of pelagic seal
ing He offered an amendment to that
effect, but At was defeated. The bill was
passed by a vote Of 81 to ii.
Mr.. Mcbride of Oregon endeavored to Sc
cure the adoption Of his resolution direct
ing the Secretary of War to supply relief
to the suffering miners in the Klondil1e re-
gion, and appropriating $250,000 for that
purpose The resolution was amended so
that the supplies might be transported by
means of reindeer. Mr.. Mcbride consent
ed finally that the resolution should be re-
committed to the military affairs COM
mittee, with the understanding that it
would be promptly reported,
The session closed with a spirited civll
service debate upon the bill presented by
the census committee providing for the
appointment OF director of the census
and thirty-two employees, who should form
the skeleton of an office force for the
twelfth census.
on motion of Mr.. Chandler of New
Hampshire. the Senate to-day passed a
bill directing the Secretary of the Navy
TO report upon the subject of a statue in
Washington city of the late Admiral Da-
Vid b. Porter
Among the many bills introduced was
one by Mr.. Faulkner Of West Virginia,
granting a right of way through a part of
Alaska for a railroad to the gold field, and
another by Mr.. Frye Of Maine providing
for the operation of steamboats, on the
Yukon river, Alaska.
Mr.. GaIlnger of New Hampshire secur-
ed the adoption of a resolution directing
the Secretary of the Treasury to transmit
to congress all the correspondence regard
ing the legal right of collectors Of internal
revenue to appoint their own assistants,
and also the correspondence with the ciVil
service commission relating TO the right
of the commission to review the appoint
ments made by such collectors.
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska presented res
'olution requesting the President, If not in
compatible with the interests of the gov
ernment, to send to congress the instruc-
tons given 20 the international monetary
commissioners, the reports they have made
and the correspondence relating to the
subject on objection, the resolution went
over until tomorrow.
The concurrent resolution adopted by
the House providing for a recess of con-
gress from Dee. IS TO Jan. 3, was laid be-
fore the Senate and referred 70 the COM
mttee on appropriations.
Mr.. Mcbride of Oregon called up his res
olutiOn authorizing the Secretary Of War
to purchase food and supplies and TO
transport such supplies as may be offered
for the relief Of the American miners ana
other sufferers in the valley Of the Yukon
river in Alaska, and appropriatng $3.50
0)0 to defray gross expenses. An amend
ment to the resolution providing for the
transportation of the supplies by means OF
reindeer was adopted. 1t was referred to
the committee on military affairs.
Mr. Davis of the foreign relations COM
mttee called up the bill prohibiting the
killing of fur seals in the waters Of the
North Pacific ocean, and presented let
ters from Secretaries Sherman of the state
department and Gage Of the treasury de-
partment, favoring the immediate passage
Of the proposed measure.
Mr.. Davis explained that the bill was in
aid Of furthering diplomatic negotiations.
Mr.. Davis pointed out that there was no
law prohibiting pelagic sealing, and that
thls shameful admission had been made
by Representative Of the United States
in their negotiations with other countries
looking to a suspension of such sealing.
Mr.. Pettigrew Of South Dakota entered
sharp protest to the passage of the bill
because IL deprived Americans of privileges
accorded to people Of other countries. He
thought 1t was time for the United States
to definitely dispose Of the question by
killing all of the seals as they land upon
the Probolof Islands. He thought that
the United States had suffered enough
ness and he believed the proposed bin
ought to be amended so that If Great
Britain did not by June ! next agree to
suspension of pelaglc sealing, this country
would Kill all seals, male and female. and
thus settle the question once for all.
Mr.. Pettigrew then offered an amend
nleftt to the bill In line with his remarks.
Mr Davis protested against the adop-
ton of Mr.. Pettigrews amendment. JIe
thought that because Great Britain ala
not come promptly to our terms was not
sufficient reason for this country TO en-
ter upon an unexampled butchery of a
beautiful and useful animal He expressed
the opinion that the carrying into effect
of Mr.. Pettgrew's proposition would bring
odium upon this country that would stain
us forever.
Mr. Perkins of California thought the
adoption of the amendment would be an
evidence Of impotence, and he would be
ashamed to see such provision upon our
statute books. He hoped the negotiations
pending would soon bring about settle
ment OF the seal question
Replying, Mr.. Pettigrew expressed the
opinion that the adoption OF the amend
ment would not result IN the preservation
of the seal herds. He thought If England
would not enter into a mutual agreement