Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-12-13
FIFTY-SIXTR CONGRESS.
Washington, December 1S,
SENATE.


the ship subsidy bill and the proposal
TO vote on the Davis amendment to the
Hsy-Pauncefote today at 3 o'clock
furnished the magnet. While the
treaty amendment vote will be taken
10 executive session 10 fol ow the con-
cluslon of Mr.. Hanpa's ship subsidy
bill, the interest 10 IL is almost a. great
10 the public MUD as il the vote was to
be taken in open session. The Senate
convened at ii o'clock.
Mr.. Lodge Introduce q joint resolu-
lion providing for the prin ting of a
history OF the Red Cfoss; also till
awarding q medal of honor to George
@ Nelson.
Mr. Fairbanks introduced joint
resolution providing for the appoiut-
Inent of committee OF three OF the
Senate and five of the members of the
House to discover suitable site for a
hall Of records in the District OF C)lum-
b.s.
Mr.. Money offered q esolution direct.
ing the President to open negotiations
with Great Britain for the abrogation
# the Ciayton-Bulwer treaty and de-
claring that the sense of the Senate is
In favor OF this action. The resolution
was laid on the table and went over.
Mr.. Hanna then took the fl Dor 10 be-
gin his speech 10 favor Ct the adoption
of the ship subsidy bill.
Mr.. Hanna said the sui ect was not
a new one. 1t had often been brought
to the attention OF Congress, The gem
tleman from Georgia, Mr.. CLAW, it see M
ed 10 him had taken occasion to quts-
lion the motive of those who had the
subject in charge. So far as he was
concerned, be resented the imputatoD.
Mr.. Clay said he did not mean 10 cas-
any imputation of improper motives.
Mr.. Hanna believed the gentlemen
from Georgia meant no RI Il action on
him as a member OF the Senate, but be
must have overlooked the fact that be
| (aanna) was member OF the maritime
commission which had investigated the
question of ship subsidy. Mr.. Hanna
men told how the bill was prepared.
la 1861 we reached the highest point
In American commerce. The civil war
disorganizsd our shipping interests.
The cost of ship building was grea or,
and with war taxes and the fact that our
government gave no protection to the
: tipping in Ame lea. caus d the strik-
ing decline. American capital dropped
Iut of such methods of Investment. II
do not believe" said Mr.. Hanna, "thst
there is any project 80 intensely inter-
rsiing to the people OF this country ss
building up this great SEA power of ours.
| ihty Recognized that 1t would
give Us prestige at home and abroad
10 times Of peace and war" 1t was
now only business proposition
for the patriotism and pride OF
tho American people which should
be involved, could only be aroused
when the fact was accomplished
He said he did not purpose to run
away from the tongue of slander or the
imputations OF improper motives made
by some OF the opponents OF tie meas.
| ure. There was nothing for the sdvO-
Gates to hide. There are many people ia
vorable to the up-building OF q merchant
! marine, but they have been mislead
and influenced by misrepresentation,
apparently wilfully made. He took up
the liner question. The records show
chat with one exception the mail
steamship lines averaged but II trips
10 season. They must have their sail
ing days. There can be no freedom in
selecting time of departure. Under
this schedule these companies could re-
c.ive but 1890 0O0
Mr.. Vest aud Mr.. Clay took excep-
tons to Mr.. Hanna's figures and quot
ed authorities.
Mr.. Hanna replied that the figures
he gave were cleaned from bis own in
vestigation. The matter of difierer ce OF
few thousad dollars mattered Dothiog.
During the Spanish war the people OF
the Atlantic coast were shiveriDg In |
terror and appealing to the government |
for protection from the visit of the |
Spanish navy. When they learned |
that the four ships OF the American
line were impressed into service,
though manned by their own crews,
here was at once feeling OF safety,
confidence that If measured by none
tary standard was more valuable than
the entire subsidy proposed 10 this bill.
The criticism OF the measure has been
that the bill has b,en drawn 10 the in
terests of certain line of ships. This
is not go. Conditions now are vastly
differen than during or following im-
medately after the civil war. We have
been growing steadily but surely in
industrial interests and 10 the develop
ment of our natural advantages. The
pa sage OF this bill will create 10 five
years more OF a capacity than We have
In our shipysrds. We as @ nation are
proud OF the results OF the war, OF the
work OF the army and navy, and The
that has placed Us upon the
firing line OF nations. We are a world
power.
When Mr.. Henns concluded his re-
marks he was loudly applauded.
The Senate then went into executive
session to further consider the Hay !
Pauncefote treaty,
10 executive session, the Davis
providing for the defense
Of the canal, was adopted.
HOUSE. II
The holiday recess was fixed from
December 81 to January 3.
The House went into committee of
The whole to consider the tax reduc-
ion bill, With the understanding that I
general debate on the bill would close J
1t o'clock tomorrow.
Saturday was made special order J
or the consideration OF pension bills.
Mr.. Mcclellan then took the floor on
he war tax bill Although 10 favor of
he bill, he said be thought o still b
urther reduction 10 the tax ought to I
% made. G