The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-01
TWENTY.EIGHTH CONGRESS-,
FIRST SESSION.
SATURDAY, MARCH 80, 1874.
SENATE.
I HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Several Executive communications were re-
ceived from the various Departments and appro-
priately referred.
From the Treasury Department in answer to
Means, giving the amount of duties received
from 1910 to l643. s
An abstract from the State Department, con-
tanning report of the returns of foreign customs.
From the Treasury Department, in relation to
the public lands in new States. es "a
From the President, conveying a complaint
from the French Minister Of the tonnage duties
imposed upon French vessels coming from the
Island of Guadalupe.
From the War Department, in answer to the
resolution in reference to Lieut.. Bragg. Mr..
Wilkins says that on the 7th instant the 18th re-
giment Of artillery held meeting for the purpose
Of sending delegate here to give certain infor-
nation to Congress. There was no official owl
dence that such was the mission of Lieut.. B., but
sufficient ground for the belief Intending TO
mark this interference Of subordnates in military
regulations with his strong disapprobation, he left
the mode of doing this to the discretion of the
Commanding General. That high officer, from a
profound regard to the rights Of Congress, in his
order directing Lieut. B. to return to his post had
expressly provided that the order should not take
effect until he was discharged from attendance
before the committee. s ..a
table, and be printed.
Mr.. CLINCH, of Ga, moved suspension of
the rules, to have $500 copies Of the letter ard
accompanying documents printed, but the motion
was rejected. t
From the Post Office Department, relative to
the violation Of the laws in reference to the trans
mission of mailable matter out Of the mails Mr..
Wcklffe dwells upon the necessity Of penal en-
actments to protect the Department.
a - DIP DOCK AT PHILADELPHIA.
Mr.. E. J. MORRIS, of Pa, moved suspen-
sion Of the rules, in order to procure recon-.
mitment of the report against the establishment
Of dry dock at Philadelphia, with instructions
to the Committee on Naval Affairs to report a
bill making an appropriation for the same
The yeas and nays were called, and were, yeas
So, nays 50. Motion lost.
BILL TO REDUCE THE ARMY PAY.
A motion was made to suspend the rules, in
order to go into Committee of the Whole upon
the bill to cut down the pay of the army.
The yeas and nays were called, and the motion
prevailed, 81 to &c. ri
Mr.. WELLER, Of Ohio, was called to the
Chair.
A great variety of amendments were made and
acted upon, and when the section relating to the
pay of chapains came up,
NI. Il VI Id \WHOt VIC uHucIOIduuS Was
originally educated for the ministry submitted
an amendment abolishng this office. He was
perfectly aware, he said, that his proposition
would not meet with favor, but still he insisted
that all appropriations by this Government for the
propagation of any form Of religion were uncon-
stitutonal. He believed, too, that the Office was
useless, and worse than useless. If theSChris-
tan religion taught the principles Of Judaism
I" an eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth
there might be consistency in preaching it's doc
trines to soldiers, but it taught the reverse, and
required its followers, when smitten in front, to
turn the back, and receive blows there also.
He had inquired at the Department what amount
of money was expended for chaplans of the army,
navy, and Congress, and found that the sum total
was $35,3Sl. He believed this expenditure un-
constitutional, and was bound by his duty to him.
self and his constituents to oppose it.
Mr.. E. ]. NORRIS, of Pa, professed great as
constituent at the proposition of the gentleman
from Indiana. 1t was the first time he had ever
heard an argument in favor of withdrawing the
influences OF Christianity from our military estab,
lishments. &af lGts
Mr.. HAMMETT, Of Miss, formerly Chap
lain of Congress,) regarded the proposition Of the
gentleman as monstrous, and consoled himself
with the belief that it would get but single vote
that of the mover himself. He asked what
place could be pointed out upon the map Of the
world where liberty existed without the accom-
panment Of Christianity. The people of this
country would never tolerate such proposition
as that now made--they do not rely even upon
the wisdom and fidelity Of those sent up here to
legisate for them, without first binding them by
an oath upon the Bible.
Mr. HOLMES took the same ground and zeal
ousy opposed the amendment. He insisted that
valor and piety were not incongruous, but that
the cause which was ennobled by the one, was
consecrated by the other His historical illusions
were happy and appropriate in support Of this
view.
Mr.. ]. R. INGERSOLL, Of Pa, also eloquent
ly defended the Christian religion from the asper-
sions cast upon it,
Mr.. PETIT replied, and insisted that he had
made no attack upon Christianity
Mr.. HARDIN showed pretty conclusvely that
he had, and demanded that when the question
was taken, it should be done by tellers tf
Mr.. WENTWORTH, Of ILL.,, followed in
speech which would yoke up we'll with Amos
Kendals blasphemous tract upon Provdental
dispensaions.
MIR. STEENROD, of Va. obtained the floor,