The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-06


On motion of Mr. ADAMS, 1t was resolved that
the use of the Hall be granted to Benz. Bowen, to
deliver, on Monday next, lecture the education
Of the blind.
NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Unioa-Mr. Allen, If
Maine, in the chair
Mr.. FILLMORE moved that the committee take
up the bill making appropriations for the support Of
the navy for the half calendar year ending on the
thrtieth of June, lsi3 and for the fiscal year be-
ginning the first of July, Is43, and ending on the
thrtieth of June, 1874.
Mr.. ADAMS suggested TO the gentleman from
New York to waive his motion, that the bills hereto
fore reported from the Committee on Foreign Az
fars-n relation to the establishment Of commercial
relations between the United States and China and
the. Sandwich Isands--might be taken up and consi-
dered by the committee.
MIR. FILLMORE said he in favor of these
bills, but he could not Mt to their being
taken up, for the that he anxious the navy
bill should be sent 10 the Senate with the least posi-
bic delay.
The question taken on the motion of Mr.. FILL
MORE, and it prevailed.
The bill having been read through by the Clerk
Mr.. MERIWETTER moved that it be laid aside,
for the purpose of taking up the bill introduced
few days since by the gentleman from Kentucky (SIr.
G.. Davis providing fer the reduction Of the humber
OF persons employed in the New York custom-house,
some other. This bill covered several millions Of
dollars and gentlemen had not yet had time to
anime the documents, relating to the subject which
laid on their tables but day or two since. II
must be apparent that the committee did not
disposed to consider this measure; if it suffered
TO lie over to-day it could be disposed of by We'd
nesday, at farthest
MIR. FILLMORE said that it was not in order 10
move to lay the bill upon the table.
Mr.. MERlWETHER then moved that be post
poned but the motion did not prevail
The committee proceeded 10 the consideration Of
the bill and the first clause having been read,
Mr. MERIWETHER submitted provso that
until otherwise directed b. law no part of the pre-
sent, any future appropriations for the pay of COM
mission, warrant, and petty officers, including the
engineer corps, shall be paid 10 the same except up
a reduction OF the present pay at and after the
rate of twenty per centum per annum. He remark
ed that II might be asked, why should this reduction
be made now For the reason that the salaries of
those officers were increased in 1885, in view Of
meeting the general Increase OF prices throughout
the country and in every department OF labor. IL
his opinion thai nine-tenths of the people beev
ed that the high salaries paid 10 officers connect
ed with the Navy had had tendency 10 render IT
the most dsgraceiul corps that belonged TO any
country earth and court martial had to be kept
standing nearly throughout, the year for the purpose
of determining on the.r conduct.
Mr.. FILLMORE rose 10 ask whether the amend
ment proposed was in orderi 1t must be recollected
that this bill made appropriations 10 carry existing
laws into eect-to pay money due TO the officers by
law. The amendment, therefore, was TO change ex-
isting laws.
Mr.. MERIWETHER anticipated that an obiec-
ton to the rendment would be raised. But, not
outstanding the bill was 10 carry existing laws into
effect il was in the power OF the committee to say
who they will pay, and, when they came to a cap
TAIN with salary OF $1,000, lying on his oars, and
doing nothing II competent for them 10 designate
how much Al the last session they limited the Off
GERS Of the Navy and, If they could do this, they
could limit their pay. Ii was and the prin-
ciple, and was totally inseparsble.
The CHAIRMAN decided that the amendment
was in order.
Mr.. FILLMORE appealed from the decision and
trusted that for the sake Of despatch Of business it
would not be sustained
MIR. JOHNSON, OF Tennessee, said that over aud
over again, similar amendments had been admitted
ever since 1885
Mr. FILLMORE asked the gentleman to point
him to a solitary instance where the salary Of Of
6cer established by law, had been reduced in APP
preparation bill
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, referred the gen.
temsn to the reduction Of the salary Of the Commits
sioncr Of Pensions.
Mr.. FILLMORE said that the law creating this
Office bad expired when the salary Of the Commits
sioner redut ed.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, contended tbat the
principle was the same.
Mr.. TILLIN GfIAST opposed the amendment ard
sustained the appeal from the decision Of the Chair.
Mr.. WISE remarked that there aaother point
Of ORDER which was conclusive against the amend
ment The gentleman from Georgia himself, from
the Committee on Public Expenditure had reported
a bill TO reduce the pay OF officers Of the Federal
Government twenty per cent, embracing the Army
and Navy, as well as the civil department This
bill wa, pending in committee and tbs being the
fact, the substance Of II could not be taken and APP
pended to another bill
Mr. MASON, of Ohio, sustained the appeal Of the
gentleman from New York
The CHAIRMAN said that II was not competent
for him TO say whether the amendment was proper
improper, but merely whether II should be admit
ted and this decision, far as he had any recollcc
ton, was justified by the former practice Of the
House.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, advocated the
amendment
Mr.. HOLMES wondered whether the people Of
the United States believed that this Government
could 20 on with this Congress. This was the most
fragmentary session he had ever known They had
been here two months and had not taken up sin
Gle bill for regular discussion. II was true, how.
ever that the subject Of fefundng the iine imposed
upon General Jackson had stood IN the position Of
pOpiniay TO be shot at by both parties. And now, a
the very moment they were about TO have regular
debate on the Navy appropriation bill, this n.otoI
was submitted by the gentleman from Georgia, who
II he was capacious for nothing else, was, certainly
Tor cutting down. The organ Of destructivenes
was developed very prominently IN his Uranium