The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-03-14
THESE SEkaT0ES DISCUSS THE SHIP
SUBSIDY BILL.
BOTH OPPOSE THE MEASURE
peaks With Great Force
and in Given Unusually Close At
tention-senator TiIlman Cites Cost
to the Government for Use of Four
Subsidized Steamers as Auxiliary
Cruisers During the Spanish War.
Rural Free Delivery Bill.

Washington. March 10.-For nearly
W hours today Senator Vest, OF Mis-
souri,. addressed the senate in opposi-
ton to the pending ship subsidy bill.
No member OF the body has been &C
corded more fiarteringly close attention
than he received. Despite his evident
feebleness, he spoke with force and
fire. and at times became brilliantly
eloquent. He carefully analysed the
pending measure and marshaled his
arguments against it with cogency and
effect.
Senator Tillman, OF South Carolina,
followed with a brief speech in opposi-
ton to the bill. He denounced the
policy Of giving subsidies to anybody,
particularly to individuals and corpo-
rations engaged in the formation of
shipping trusts.
In adverting briefly to the the opera
ton of the Dinghy tariff law, Senator
Vest spoke OF the lumber schedule.
senator Hanna interrupted to inquire
how many democratic senators had
voted for a tax of 50 per 1000 feet upon
lumber when the Dingley bill was be-
lore the enate.
Senator Vest replied that he could
not tell. He did not know. The fact
that any democratic senators did vote
for it indicated only the force of tariff
combinations.
Senator Tillmar interjected he re-
mark that he had voted for a 81 tax on
lumber, although he knew it was a
steal, and had so stated at the time.
He had voted for it, however, because
hn DrnnncAI 90 -@% ~A g rsrr
a snare for his state and that was the
only way South Carolina could get
anything.
Senator Vest criticised the majority
of the commerce committee for elimi-
mating from this bill the provision
which required a subsidized ship to
carry at least so per cent. of her cargo
capacity upon any voyage upon which
she was to receive subsidy.
He urged that if the shipping
trusts" were to be subsidized, there
was no reason why the farming in
dustry and the mining industry too,
should not be subsidized.
He said if this subsidy is given it
will be but the beginning OF the end
and will result in a monopoly equal to
that of the Standard Oil Company.
Senator Tillman answered a question
p~ropounded by Senator Hanna during
the course of the latter's recent speech,
by saying that he voted for the 50 tax
On lumber because he saw an oppor-
tunity to enhance the value of a south
ern product. He had. he said, since
then been unanimously reelected to
the senate, which stamped him las a
very good specimen of a South Caro-
lima democrat" He then addressed
himself to the subject of the ship sub
sidy bill and declared that foreigners
will not surrender the trade they en-
joy without a struggle and will, if ne
cessary, resort to the cutting OF rates
in order to hold it.
He said the bill would foster monop
olies n referred to the proposed in
corporation of the United States Ship
building Company, which would absorb
the large ship yards of the country.
Speaking of the use OF vessels in cas-
of emergency by the government, Sen
ator Tillman said he would cite as a
commentary on patriotism and owe of
country the fact hat the four scout
ships Paris, st. Paul, New York and st.
Louis, used during the Spanish war,
cost the government s2.S64.S3 and
these, he said, had been subsidized un-
der q pretence that they would serve
us in time of emergency. He said he
was surprised to find the republican
party, which claims to be the peculiar
ly American party stand for
SuCn d OIL.
The senate went In session
n adjourned.
House of Representatives.
The bill to classify the rural free de-
livery service and place the carriers
under the contract system, which has
been debated in the house for over n
week. was passed today, but in a form
hat completely changed the purpose
for which 1t was framed. Before 1t was
passed the bill was altered radically by
its opponents. All the provisions relar-
ing to the placing of carriers under tn.
system were striker out and
the salary system was not only contin-
ued. but the maximum salary Of car
was increased from $500, to $500
per annum. The amendment to fix the
salaries Of rural carriers at $500 was
offered by Mr.. Swanson. OF Virginia.
and adopted without division.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Flem-
ing, of Georgia. was adopted to allow
carriers to do an express package busi-
ness where it does not interfere with
their duties.
A motion offered by Mr.. Williams,
democrat. of Illinois, to recommit the
bill with Instructions to report back an
amendment providing for the dismissal
the service Of carriers who should
use their influence in favor Of any par
ticular party or for any particular can
didate was voted down-96 to 141.
Earlier in the dav Mr.. Burton, OF
Ohio. chairman Of the river n harbor
reported the river and har-
Dor bill and gave notice hat he would
call Ii UP after the disposal Of the post
Office appropriation bill. which will be
taken up tomorrow.