The record-union., 1898-12-07
THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE.
SHORT SESSION IN EACH OF
THE HOUSES YESTERDAY.
The First Note Of the Anti-Expan-
sionist Sounded In the Senate
by Vest Of Missouri.

WASHINGTON, Dec, 6.-The first
note of the anti-expansionists was
sounded in the Senate to-day by Vest. Of
Missouri who introduced the following
joint resolution:
THAT under the Constitution of the
United States no power is given TO the
Federal Government to acquire terri
tory to be held and governed perma-
nently as colonies.
1.-The colonial systemi of European ma
tions cannot be established under our
present Constitution, but. all territory
acquired by the Government, except
such small amount as may be necessary
for coaling stations, correction of boun-
daries and similar Governmental pur-
poses. must be acquired and governed
with the purpose of ultimately organiz-
ing such territory into States suitable
for admission into the Union.
brief discussion of the navigation
laws was precipitated by the consider
alton of bill amending those laws
by the addition of a provision that for
eign- built vessels wrecked in the Unit
ed States, purchased by citizens of this
country and repaired to the extent Of
three-fourths of their value, shall be
subject to forfeiture if they engage sub
sequently in the coastWise trade of the
United States.
Vest. a member of the Committee on
Commerce, expressed his opposition to
the bill, principally because it afford
ed protection to the coastwise trade,
which needed no protection. Under
the present system of navigation laws
this trade had decreased from IL per
cent to IL per cent, and this country
is now paying $3.50, 100000 annually to
foreign ship owners for carrying trade
that ought to be carried in American
| bottoms. This condition of affairs
Vest declared, was a scandal and dis
grace =
He said he had been amused at the
suggestion of the President, made n
his message submitted yesterday, that
our carrying trade be encouraged by he
payment Of subsidies. I'm other words -
said he, 'sit is proposed to substitute for
| the vicious system of navigation laws
a scheme of subsidies that is even more
vicious than is the evil it proposes to
remedy.
Under the proposed policyi of the Ad-
ministration," continued Vest, 1--WE are
to build great navy. We are to cease
to be a nation of traders, and, under
the impulse of the policy of expansion,
become nation of warriors. 1t would
appear to me to be better first to build
up our carrying trade. I would also
| let our people, through the benefcient
effects of such trade, buy where they
can buy cheapest"
| Caffery of Louisiana, as a member of
the Committee on Commerce, opposed
the bill.
Finally it was made a special order
| for next Monday.
At 1:3O p m. the Senate adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The House
was in session less than half an hour
to-day, when the death of Representa-
tives Northway (Ohio). and Love Mis-
| sissippi) were announced, and an aG-
| journment was taken until tomorrow
out of respect to their memory.
| The customary resolution for the dis
tribution of the Presidents message to
the several committees having jurisdic-
ton was adopted, and the deficiency bill
carrying appropriations for the extra
ordinary expenses of the army and
navy from January 1st to July |, 1890
was reported, and will be taken up by
the House tomorrow.
| The report on the Hawaiian Commits
sion transmitted to the President was
| laid before the House and referred to
the Committee on Territories, together
with a bill offered by Hit to carry out
1.-THE recommendations of the committee