The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-25
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, Jan. %, 1888.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, Jan. %, 1888.
After an unsuccessful attemp, by Mr.. JOHNSON,
OF Louisiana, introduce resolution, the House, on
motion Of Mr. F. o. j. SMITH, chairman Of the Com
mittee on Commerce) proceeded to read third time
and PASS bill entitled bill to secure the payment Of
certain commissions duty bonds 10 collectors OF the
customs.
The subject next in order as the unfinished business
of the morning hour the report Of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs in relation 10 negotiation with Dem
mark for indemnity FOR John Paul Jones's prizes
dered by that Government TO Great Britain.
Mr.. HOFFMAN moved to suspend the rules for the
purpose Of receiving petitions but the motion failed
ayes 80, noes 80 tnot two-thrds)
THE SEMINOLE WAR
Mr. CAMBRELENG was very DESTROYS OF making
report from the Committee Of Ways and Means and
Mr.. CUSHING, who was entitled to the floor on the
unfinished business OF the morning, having expressed
his willingness waive the exercise Of his privilege for
that purpose,
Reports were called for whereupon
Mr.. CAMBRELENG, from the Committee Of Ways
and Means reported bill making partial appropriation
for the suppression of Indian hosttcs for the year
1888 In support Of this bill he called for the reading
OF letter the Secretary Of War from T. CRoss act
ing Quaftermaster General stating the urgent necess
~ Of an appropriation to meet drafts him which lay
THE bill proposes to appropriate million Of
dollars Mr.. G. stated that much two millions
would be the total amount wanted for this item OF ex-
pendtnre for the year and on the general appropra-
tion he presumed there would be long debate involving
the general subject of the Florida war but in the
while, the passage Of temporary appropriation
indispensable, and he hoped it would be generally
agreed to- and be passed without debate He then
moved that the House go into Committee Of the Whole
the state Of the Union and take up this BILL and also
the bill to provide for the defence of the northern from
tier.
Mr.. DOWNING, the Delegate from Florida, re-
presented the urgent necessity Of appropriation
The troops now in the field were unpaid, as were
also the militia, who had been disbanded Unless
they should be paid soon they would lose all con-
fdence in the good faith of the Governments and
when called out again, would refuse to serve
Mr. WISE objected to taking up partial appro
priation bill of this sort Let the whole appropria
lion required be brought forward at once, and let
not appropriations in part be thus stolen from the
House, under the pressure Of alleged necessity.
And after some desultory conversation
Mr.. BELL said he had examined the grounds of
this bill, as far as time woud permit, and salts
fled that there did exist necessity for appropri-
alton to some amount.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole, (Mr. Common, of North Carolina, in the
chair,) and on motion Of Mr.. CAMBRELENG,
took up both bills
The bill making partial appropriation for the
Florida war, having been read at the Clerks table
Mr.. WISE said this bill was precisely of the
character which he expected, before the House went
into committee. Instead OF its being mere partial
appropriation bill for the immediate exigencies of
the service in Florida it was general appropriation
bill for all expenditures in the Indian service. II
was in this way that appropriations extracted
from this House, like teeth, without the proper in
Yestigaton and inquiry. The officers Of Govern
ment waited until appropriations were Immediately
wanted and then they called upon The House TO pass
them, without investigation, without inquiry, and
without discussion. In this manner nine-tenths,
if not all of the eight, nine millions of dollars
which had been appropriated for this fatal, dsas-
f,,1 I'll =
tanned We have been told by the Delegate from
Florida that the troops have been discharged without
being paid; and the chairman Of the committee tells
us this money is wanting. without examination and
without debate. Was this the way appropriations
were to be made Would any corporation or COM
pany take thirty millions of dollars 10 pay the ex-
penditures Of this disgraceful Indian war. He for
one would take the responsibility Of saying, and
acting out what he said that he would not appropri-
ate another dollar for this purpose until he had
information as to the manner in which former APP
preparations had been expended, and until he had
correct data as to the sums now needed He wish
ed TO know how much had been expended for steam
boats which had performed service to the Govern
ment, and the amounts paid TO hearess contractors
who rendered no equivalent for the money paid
them. He wished information, too, in relation to
the perfdy which had been practised by officers of
the army towards these Indians with all otherneces-
sary information before he prepared to vote for
any other and further appropriations; as he believed
that outrages had been committed upon them, which
NdS tHC OHly IedSOH Vi the Wal belHS hepl up ne
felt sufficiently humbed by this outrageous and dis
graceful war, and he would rather vote 10 secure
those unfortunate Indians in their hammocks than
from them.
Mr. DOWNING rose in reply, in speech of
equal fire and earnestneSs, vindicated the conduct Of
the Administration in the origin and conduct of the
war, and repealed, with warmth, the charge on the
people of Florida of having fattened on the appro-
prations heretofore made for its continuance.
Mr.. WISE then took the floor and went into
general discussion Of the origin of the Seminole
war; and the manner in which it bad been conducted
in which he attacked the course Of the Administra
ton with his accustomed vehemence of manner
and language He continued TO speak tillnear three
o'clock.
The debate was continued by Messrs. CILLEY,
THOMPSON EVERETT, ROBERTSON, C AM
BRELENG and WISE, the last of whom moved TO
amend the bill by substituting $500 600 for 81 ,O00,-
GOO, as the sum to be appropriated
Mr.. BlDDEE took the floor, and, at the request of
several members, moved that the committee rise I;
which motion prevailed by vote Of 50 to II.
The House then adjourned. ~...