The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-17
Ewentg=Senemth Congress.
FIRST SESSION.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
THURSDAY, July Is, 1871.
Immediately after the reading of the Journal,
MI. MORGAN, who was entitled to the floor on
the Mcleod resolution, yielded it to Mr.. FILL
MORE who moved that the House resolve itself into
Committee Of the Whole the state of the Union (;
but on the vote,-no quorum appearng,-a call ofthe
Hsuse ordered motion of Mr. TRUMAN
SMITH, and suspended on l40 members answering
TO their names.
The House then went into Committee ofthe Whole
on the Fertilization Appropriation Bill, Mr. WIN
THROP, of Mass, in the Chair
The amendment eff Mr.. CLIFFORD, (appropria-
ting sc 600 to the repairs of Fort Preble and Fort
SCANNED. Portland harbor, which pending when
the committee rose, negaiived after debate be-
tween Messrs. FILLMORE, CLIFFORD, and
FESSENDEN.
Mr.. ATHERTON moved an amendment, (not
distinctly heard from the great noise in the House,
which was negaved.
Mr.. J. w. WILLIAMS, of Maryland, moved an
amendment appropriatng $25 200 to the erection of
fort at Havre de Grace, in Maryland.
The CHAIRMAN decided it was out Of order
this being new work Mr.. W. appealed-but the
House sustained the decision unanimously.
Mr.. FILLMORE moved an amendment, reducing
the appropriation for. Fort Washington, Potomac IL
yer, from $35 900 to SIS, 600. Passed.
Mr.. SNYDER moved amendment to appropri-
ate $40 900 for a fort on Pea-patch island He spoke
in defence of his amendments and after some remarks
from Mcssrs. FILLMORE, TOLAND, and c.
BROW N, the amendment was negauVeu.
Mr.. BARNARD wished to move amendments
making provision for the public works on harbos and
rivers.
Mr. FILLMORE objected to such amendments,
out of order in the present BILL though he was de-
IN pr 81 sff m hiis '"'' los ''''
The CHAIRMAN decided them out of order.
Mr. BARNARD appealed And the appeal was
debated at large by several gentlemen, among whom
Mr.. HUNT and Mr.. TOMLINSON commented
forcbly on the urgent necessity Of such provision
Mr.. Tominson also exhibited the unprotected and
perous condition of the northern part Of the State of
New Yo k, in of the declaration of war with
which we were threatened.
The House sustained the decision of the Chair by
very large vote.
Mr. UNDERWOOD made some statements as the
result of his inquiries into the expenditures on Fort
Warren, in Boston Hsrbor. He thought that the
amount of expenditures on those works. during the
last seven years, had been disproporonaely lai ge-
He had not make Investigations into the cases of any
other Notifications, but in examining these had been
led to desire some information the means of check
ing and regulating these expenditures, apparent
ly at the discretion Of the War Department.
Mr.. A. FL. SHEPHERD opposed so large appro-
prations to the Notifications Of Boston.
Mr.. PARMENTER justified the past expenditures
and the present appropriations. He gave descrip-
ton Of the system of Notifications adopted for the de-
fence of Boston, and OF the positions Of the particular
forts in question.
Mr.. FILLMORE replied to Mr.. Underwood
J.. 4. y
Mr.. MALLORY advocated a liberal expenditure
on the defences Of the country. The opposition, as
usual, came from the old North State" The gem
tleman from North Carolina wanted no Qualifications
No. They might defy enemy to approach the
shores Of the State inaccessible as they were by ma
tnre. The gentleman from Kentucky, too had long
distinguished himself in opposition to these frtica
tions Of the seaboard. That gentleman had former
failed in obtaining an appropriation for the improve
ment of his favorte Green river and in revenge
he was determined to oppose every thing for the i'm
proYement of the seacoast. Mr.. Underwood smiled
and said II is a mistake" n|
| Mr.. DAWSON commented on the suspicious cha
racter of the zeal of the member fiom Virginia for
large expenditures on Notifications and the Navy.
The improvements of the fort at Old Point Comfort,
and the construction of steam fgates at Gosport in
bis district, might be an object Hehoped that, being
thus anxious for liberal expenditures the gentleman
would not again De found opposing the necessary
means Of meeting them.
Mr.. sALToNsTALL defended the appropra-
tons.
Mr.. Afford wished the committee might rise.
he remarked on the Importance Of providing sepa-
ratey for the claims Of the State of Georgia. for SER
vices Of her militia in Florida which were included in
this bill. r ,.---.-.
Mr. MCKAY attacked the Report of the Secretary
Of War, and commented at large on the system of
defences. at
Mr., MASON, of Ohio, spoke with great effect in
reply TO Mr.. Mckay, and the Opposition members
generally, who were inconsistent TO urge at
one moment, and then refuse the means of defence.
He was pointed, and occasionally so humorous to
set the house in a roar.
Mr..TILLINGHAST defended the course of the
Secretary of War, against the attacks of Mr. Nc
Kay. ~
Mr.. RHETT replied to Messrs. Mason and Til
lnghast, and discoursed the question Of the re-
sponsbilty for the defence Of the country was in
Congress alone, not in the Executive Departments.
He spoke Of the strong probability of a war with
Britain.
Mr.. EVERETT took the floor; but as the hour of
three had arrived, he yielded. The committee rose,
and the House adjourned. M