Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-04-13
Tuesday, Apri! 10. 1895.
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Tuesday, April 10. 1885.
IN SENATE.
The V. President presented communication from the
War Department. in pursuance of a Senate resolution
of the 18Th ult offered by Mr. Davis, with r.por;s from
the Third Auditor and Commissioner of Pensions; laid
the table, and ordered TO be printed
STEAM BATTERIES.
The Senate took M the resolutions offered some time
since nv Mr.. Davis. calling the Department for in
formation to enable the Senate to determine what for
fcaons might be diminished or dispensed with and
whether system Of defence, by the aid of steam bate
ries would he more economical and efficient than the
present system
Mr.. Benton insisted that all the information asked
for was already before the Senate and he urged at con-
siderable length and with much ennestness, that when
the Treasury full, gentlemen ct the Opposition had
resisted appropriations for the defences OF The country
bat thew might sa We the money debauc the people
by the State Geposites and now, when the treasury
was empty they bringing forward their own pro.
ec,s for expenditures on these detences.
MIR. Davis said, if the gentleman had lstened more
attcn,ively he could not have fallen into sogrea mis-
take Mr. D. had not proposed OF all TO Increase the
burden the Treasury; the contrary, he had reform
and rerenchment directly in view, in connection with
system which he supposed night be more efficient, as
well as more economical. Mr. d also went :nto some
further PARTICULARS show the advantages that might
arise from the of steam batteries auXlaes TO the
existing system Of defence.
The resolution agreed TO-.
The Senate took up the bill for the relief OF Bnha
ted at much length by Alesss Hubbard, Roane, Upton,
Wright, Riyes, White, and Prenlss, and Indefinitely
osponed; yeas -, nays 5.
The bill for the relief Of the heirs Of Francis hemard
was read third time, and passed
MIR. Roane presented memorial from Georgetown,
praying that it might be receded TO the State of hary
land; referred to a select committee Of FIVE.
The Senate adjourned, after Executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Petitions we've, on leave, presented by MIR. Sawyer OF
Ii. md Nj re
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr. Bouldin from the Committee for the District OF
Columbia reported bill for the erection of Cou.-
house at Alexandria, in the District of Columbia
MIR. B. also moved that the committee be discharged
from the further consideration of the resolution rqur
ing into the expedency of recedng The District of Co.
lumbia and that the subject, with report thereon, be-
laid on the table.
Mr.. Hopkins moved TO postpone it till Tomorrow, on
the ground that the gentleman who introduced the reso
luton MIR. Wise was not then in his seat.
Mr. Bouldn signifed his assent, and The subject vas
postponed accordingly.
Mr. Thomas moved that the anti dnclling bill Of The
Senate be referred TO the select committee the subject
Of duellinr instead of the Committee the judiciary
TO which it had been referred yesterday; which was
agreed TO.
Mr. Johnson of Virginia, from The Committee on Re-
volutionary Pensions reported bill granting pensons
10 Samuel Hatten, Of the Stale Of Virginia.
Mr. Bond then resumed his remarks on the sutjec. Of
divorce of the public press from The patronage Of he
Government and again gave way for the orders OF Vie
day without concluding.
The Speaker laid before the House communication
from the Secretary of War transmitting reports from the
Third Auditor and Commissioner Of Pensions, relating
the appointment of pension agents. the time OF their
pointme their pensaon, the banks with which they
are connected &C. which, on motion OF MIR. Cushmal,
was laid on the table.
The House then resumed The consideration Of the bil
making appropriations for the naval service for 1888
'hp psfi " on oil &.
gomery to recommit the bill TO the Committee of Ways
and Means for the purpose Of specifying The amount
quired for The South Sea Exploring Expedition.
Mr. Bronson, who entitled to the hoor entered
into defence Of the late and present Administrations
in relation TO this subject and though he dscamed be-
ing opposed to the Exploring Expedition either the late
projected another, he in favor Of having The
bill rccommitted, because he thought il proper that the
estimates should be furnished, and the necessary
for carrying made distinct and separate from the ap
preparations necessary for the general service Of the Ma
W. This due TO The country, for there had been
upwards Of 900 already expended and the only
suit was, that there longer Exploring Squad
in existence, and the question should they or
der TO be fitted cut? He thought not, espec
ally in the present embarrassed condition of the Trcasu
ry and he also doubted whether in the present state Of
feeling towards the scheme both throughout the coun
ty and in the navy any of those great results antcpa
ted by its friends would be produced. BY and by, when
the present excitement had passed away, such expe
d,on might he sent that would rebound to the no.
Of the county, and produce very beneficial results
and he would be willing TO sustain it, but this not
the proper time. He satisfied that no results, COM
mrnsuale with the expenditure, would ensue from lis
sailing now.
Mr. b. also doubted the propriety of the appointment
OF Lieut.. Wilkes, not from his want OF skill or exPe
rence, but from his being junior officer, the effect OF
which would increase the present dissatisfaction and
lead 70 dssensons In reply 10 the argument that the
money already expended would be much thrown
away he he'd ascerlained the loss would not exceed
= I Il. ,,;.oI
elsewhere, whereas twenty five thousand dollars would
be wanted to complete the two vessels at n. York
MIR. B. concluded by suggesting modification to re.
commit the BILL with instructions 10 the Committee OF
Ways and Means 10 report specifically what would be
The additional sum necessary 10 sustain the Exploring
Expedition over and above what it would he necessary
TO keep these vessels in The service provided they be
employed in the coast SERVICE or in any other service
Mr. Montgomery stated that he had prepared modI-
fcntion to that effect.
Carolina 10 withdraw his motion to recommt the bill,
for Mr. G. prepared, long since, TO make motion
strike out this appropriation altogether, and TO dscon
tinue this expedition in May next. Mr.. y then moved
sundry reductions in The BILL amounting in the aggregate
to Sl92 OO remarking that this would bring the House
direct vote whether they would or would not CONT
nue. the Exploring Expedition.
Mr. Montgomery withdrew his motion, with the dis
tinc understanding, he stated, that direct vote he
taken on the continuance discontinuance of this
petition.
Mr. Bronson disapproved of the motion of his COL
league because it contemplated positive dscontinu
ance of the expedition.
Mr. Mercer expressed his regret at the propos
ed by the gentleman from N. York, whose motion
pending.
his own, but was made by him to bring The House to
direct vote. He understood further 10 say that he
should vote against it himself
Mr. Mercer continued, and went on 10 show The i'm
por,ance of the proposed expedition and argue against
employing the vessels coast surveying squadron be-
cause a triangular survey should first be completed
He was warmly in favor of the Exploring Elk pedi,ion
and remarked that the only question was whether the
present Administration were competent TO carry into
execution. For himself, he did not believe that, take
the whole of them together, with The Presden, and Ca
bnet they all had capacity sufficient to furnish ns,ruc