The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-10

discussion. Mr.. Carter (Mont) entered
upon an explanation of the dsclaratio,,
tnht the Centennial was unseawortby. 1ba
snip he understood FROM perfectly tr,,sr-
worthy sources was q thoroughly sound
vessel. ''""''
rhe fact seems to me-" said Mr.. Car
wi mat number OF gentlemen Gu
gagged in shipping on the Pacific coast have
peeh engaged in holding up the United
states government exorbitant prices for
transport ships. The arrival OF the Gem
.ehh'di al San Francisco and the granting
10 her OF an American registry was a no.
uce 10 the patriotic gentlemen who were
ehdeavoring TO get the government by I o
throat that their monopoly was b,ok n
ana they entered into conspiracy to break
uown the reputation of the vessel
This whole transaction" declared Mr.
carter, bears the ear marks OF pre-
concerted scheme on the part of the san
francisco ship owners to hold up the gov
eminent and force 1t TO pay inordinute and
eAtortionato transport charges"
Mr.. Perkins OF California said he de-
sired to enter q word In defense of TIE
san Francisco ship owners. S, far as tn.
company with which he was connected was
concerned u had declined to charter its
ships to the government. Therefore. IL
could not be included in the denunciatiol
Of Mr.. Carter. He knew OF his D rsonal
knowledge that MIR. c. p. Huntington. Of
'he Pacific Mail Steamship company. had
placed the vessels OF his lin. al the d.
nosal OF the government. The Chlna.
CITY of Sydney and other ships OF that
company had been offered to the COVE n
ment for fully 80 PER cent less than they
sould command on the Atlantic coast Mr..
spreckles had done the same thing with
the vessels of his line. Other San Fran
| cisco ship owners had Offered their VS.
sells to the government at ite own prCrs
me loyalty of the people OF Califor-
MA, declared Mr. Perkins. "can net lie
| impugned. The Pacific States. Califor-
mia. Washington and Oregon. will never
be found lacking In patriotism ard more
| OF them, none Of their citizens will ever
| attempt to extort a cent from the COVE n
| ment The aspersions Of my friend from
! Montana were uncalled for and unwar-
ranted by the facts"
| The measure offered by Mr.. GalllnGce
which had started the debate. was then
passed without division house bill al o
was passed providing for the survey Of the
channel leading from Ship Island ra-ho,.
MISS, to the railway pier at Gulf Port,
Miss, and to Biloxi, Miss. and for sur
vey OF Ship Island pass; also Il bill to
permit the Oklahoma and Gulf railway TO
construct railway In Oklahoma.
| Mr. Lodge OF Massachusetts preclpiatel
a lively discussion by offering the follow
| ing resolution:
| That the committee on claims be d.
rected TO inquire and report to whom the
money was paid under the claim fer the
Methodist book concern, South. aud also
as to all claims connected with the pas 'ag
of the bill providing for the payment oil
said claims and with the subsequent pay
ment OF the money under said act OF con
| gress.
Mr.. Lodge explained that when the bill
appropriating s2ss 900 to pay the claim o
| the Methodist book concern was before tn,
| senate he had offered an amendment pro
| viding that no more than $4,000 SHOULD
he paid to any agent or lobbyist for work
ing for the bill. His amendment had beer
| received with indignation and as n reflcc
tion upon the honor Of men who were rem
dering 10 the Methodist Church (Southl
service Of love.
I'VE were assured" said Mr.. Lodge
| that no part Of the sum appropriated wa
TO be paid to agents, but it now develops
that contract existed for the payment o