The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-23
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..
Some confusion, and questions of order, occur
red after The journal was read, from an effort of
Mr.. COBB, of GA, to procure the reference and
printing of a memorial from Georgia in favor OF
the Immediate annexation of Texas to the United
States This matter having been disposed of,
the next subject was the reconsideration of the
vote ordering the printing of the report in the
contested election of the Speaker and Mr.. Bolts
The vote was reconsdered, and the matter post
poned until Saturday next.
NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL.
On motion of Mr. MCKAY, the House resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union.
Mr.. HARDIN was entitled to the floor, but
waived his right, and Mr.. HALE made some re-
marks explanatory of the statements heretofore
made by him with regard to the comparative pay
of officers in the British and American Naval
service.
Mr.. SCHENCK asked Mr.. H. if the rank in
the British Navy, corresponding with that Of Post
Captain, (the highest in our NavyD was not
much better paid than that in the American
service.
Mr.. HALE replied by burst of Democratic
scorn against royalty, and its insignia, &c.
Mr.. PARMENTER read from a manuscript
list the relative enrolment Of officers in each SER
vice.
Mr.. GARRETT DAVIS then took the floor,
and moved an amendment appropriating $4,000
for the purchase of American water-rotted hemp.
After stating the fact, that western Temp had
been compared with the best Riga hemp, and
pronounced superior to the latter, Mr. d. related
the course taken by the Administration under the
circumstance of an appropriation by Congress for
the establishment of hemp agencies. The ne
pheW of the Postmaster General haWked the
Office of hemp agent in Mr.. DIS district, and the
purchase Of hemp there. was made just prior to
the election, and discontinued shortly after it.
Thus was great American interest trified with,
and made subservient to the meanest partisan
purposes. Mr. d. concluded by earnestly call
ing upon the House to protect the hemp interest
by giving it fair trial in our Navy.
Mr.. MORRIS, Of Pa. followed and advocated,
with much zeal, and as measure of great econ
omy, the establishment of dry dock at Phila-
delphia.
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON, of Tenn, made
a ridiculous electoneering speech.
Mr.. LEVY, of Florida, made speech in de.
fence of the Pensacola Navy Yard.
Mr.. MURPHY of Brooklyn, N. Y, defended
an appropriation for stone dock at Brooklyn.
Mr.. LEONARD, of New York city, replied Sc
ments, and an earnest controversy ensued be-
tween these gentlemen, concerning the respective
merits of the floating and dry docks The bill
proposes that the Secretary OF the Navy shall
decide between these two
Mr.. SEYMOUR, of N. Y, made few re-
marks, in the midst Of which the hour Of came
round.
The vote was then taken on Mr.. Hunts amend
ment limiting one-half the disbursement to the
first half year,) and the same was carried by 81
ayes to 81 noes.
Mr. CAMPBELL, of s. c., suggested that the
Chair had not voted-(Mr Dromgooe was in
the chair, and had he voted in the negative IN
time, the vote would have been tie, and thus
losD--bu it was replied that it was too late, the
vote having been announced.
Mr.. Parmenter's amendment, making specific
appropriations for the different Yards, was adop-
ted without division
The bill was then read through.
A great many amendments were offered and
variously disposed of, and at half past o'clock
the Committee rose and reported the bill.
The SPEAKER then signed several enrolled
bills.
Mr.. FISK, of N. Y, submitted resolution,
that Select Committee of five be appointed to
inquire whether any Deputy Postmaster or other
officer of the Department has violated the frank