The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-12
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
Ship Subsidy Bill and Popular E1ec-
ton of Senators Discussed.

ton of Senators Discussed.
WASHINGTON, March 11.-For several
hours to-day the Senate had the ship sub
sidy bill under consideration. Mr.. Nal
lory, of Florida, made an extended speech
in opposition to the measure. He analysed
the bill carefully and held that there was
no good reason for its enactment into law,
saying he believed it would not accomplish
the results hoped for it by its promoters.
His opposition was based chiefly on the
ground that it would extend the favor OF
the United States treasury to private indi-
viduals and corporations without a just re-
turn for the expenditure.
Prior to consideration of the ship subsi-
dy measure a lively debate occurred over
an effort on the part of Mr.. Berry. of Ar
kansas, TO ascertain when the committee
on privileges and elections might be ex-
pected TO report to the Senate the resolu-
ton providing for the election or senator's
by the direct vote of the people. Mr.. Hoar,
of Massachusetts,, indicated his vigorous
opposition to such a measure on the ground
that it would subvert the fundamental prin-
ciples upon which the Senate was founded.
This is one of the most important ques-
tions." he said, that has arisen since the
adoption of the Constitution. Indeed, it is
the first serious effort made to change the
mechanism involved in the principles of
the Constitution. This is a proposition To
change the principle upon which the Con-
stitutiOn is founded. TIL solemn pledge
was given to States, that the equality of
the States never would be destroyed with
out the consent of every one of them"
He did not believe the adoption of the
resolution would be accomplished without
a breach of the national pledge, which
lies at the foundation of the government.
1t was a question which he thought
the American people ought to thoroughly
understand, because it was one Of the
greatest ever brought into any legislative
assembly. He had received letters urging
that senators be chosen by direct vote or
evidence of a "worked-up sentiment"
Mr.. Hoar said he was wiling TO go be-
fore any representative American assem-
bly, to discuss the proposition which, TO his
mind, struck at the very heart or the Con-
stitution and TO meet any champion OF the
proposition. He was sure of his Ultimate
success in such argument before the peo-
pie. He referred TO the Supreme Court
and the United States Senate as the two
great bodies of the government which were
free from the influence Of popular move
ments and popular excitement. The Sen
ate, he said, was the greatest deliberative
assembly in the world, and he believed II
the duty of the people TO stand hrm peIore
the proposition TO strike down one OF the
two glories of the republic. Il Will do my
duty" he said, "as a member OF the com
mittee, but will not be hurried. and the
Senate shall not be hurried If l can help II.
At the conclusion of the debate, which
had been proceeding by unanimous consent,
the Senate passed eighty-one private pen
sion bills. other bills were passed as fol-
lows: To reform the Western judicial dis
trict of Arkansas; amending the act OF
Feb. 2. 1901. to increase the efficiency of the
permanent military establishment so as TO
provide for the transfer of officers from the
line to the staff for four years service.
At the opening of the session the Senate.
at the request of Mr.. CulIom. one OF the
conferees. disagreed to the conference re-
port on the bill providing for the carrying
into effect of the s~tipulations of Article Z Of
the Paris treaty. The Senate insisted on its
amendments, and Messrs. Cullom, Lodge
and Morgan were named as conferees. Ar
ticle Z relates to the payments of claims in
Cuba, and the bill proposes TO amend the
act creating the Spanish claims commits
sion so as TO provide for the attendance of
witnesses.
AT the close of Mr.. Mallory's speech on
the shipping bill Mr.. Proctor gave notice
that after the disposition of the bill to pro-
tect the President he would move that the
oleomargarine bill be made the unfinished
business.
Mr.. FRYE referred TO the fact that ii had
been claimed that the clause in Section c
Of the ship-subsidy bill which directs pay
ment to the owner or owners OF any vessel
citizen of the United States would place
under the provisions of the bill the foreign
ships that had been admitted to an Amer
lean register. He then submitted an amend
ment. which was adopted, making the
clause read. Hereafter built and registered
in the United States or now duly regis
tered"
Mr.. Allison, trying as he said, "to get
an Interpretation of the provisions that are
a little blind TO me-" directed some ques-
tons to Mr.. Frye. His desire, he said, was
to ascertain whether proper safeguards
had been thrown around the bill TO protect
the government in the making OF so large
an expenditure as it proposed. The ques-
lions asked by the Iowa senator were large
ly technical, relating 10 the classification OF
ships. the number Of vessels TO be bene-
flied by the act. the amount of money paid
in the aggregate, etc.
The c~olloquy which ensued developed the
fact that the coastwise vessel might register
at any port which il reached and enter from
that port the Ocean-carrying trade and re-
ceive a subsidy under his bill. 1t devel-
oped, also. that a vessel engaged in trade
between the United States and the Philip
pines would receive subsidy until the coast
wise navigation laws should be extended by
Congress 10 the Philippine archipelago.
Afterward no vessel engaged In the Philip
pine trade would receive the subsidy.
Mr.. Frye explained that the subsidy, be-
ing based on the classification of vessels
would be paid 70 ships without respect to
their age, the worth of the vessel being de-
pendent entirely upon its classification.
AT the conclusion Of the c%ollOquy. and
after reading a veto message from the
President, the Senate, at SIS p. m, ad-
journed.