The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-11

Agreeably TO notice, Mr. JOHNSON, OF Louisiana,
asked and obtained leave bring in bill Tor the issuing
of patents class of cases, and for other pur
poses; which was read the first and second umes by
unanimous consent and referred to the Committee on
Private Land Claims.
INDIANA BONDS
Asreeably to notice. Mr. BRIGHT asked and obtained
leave 10 bring in bill authorizing the Secretary OF War
10 surrender certain bonds of the State of Indiana held
by the United States 10 the agent OF the State Tor sand
State OF Indiana which read the first and second
times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Com
mee on Finance
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. DOUGLAS asked and obtained leave TO bring in
bull TO esiabls h the Territorial government OF Oregon
which read the first and second times by unanimous
consent and referred to the Com nlttee on Territories
pRE-EMPTIoN SYSTEM.
Mr.. ASHLEY, from the Committee Public Lands
to whom was referred the bill to establish permanent
pre- empton system in favor of actual settlers the pub
Ic lands, reported II without amendment
NATHANIEL HoGGATT.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, from the Committee on
Land Claims TO whom had been referred the petition OF
Nathaniel Hoggatt, reported bill for his relief: which
was read and passed to a second reading.
HALF-PAY WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, from the Committee
Pensions, 10 whom had been referred so much OF the
Presidents message relates to the subject reported
bill amending the act entitled AN act granting hall pay
to widows orphans where their husbands and fathers
have died of wounds received in the military service OF
the United States in of deceased officers and sol
ders of the militia and volunteers, passed July 4, 1886
which was read and passed to the second reading.
JOSEPH NoURsE, DECEASED.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, from the Committee on Claims,
TO whom had been referred the petition OF Mara L.
Nourse reported bill authorize the settlement of the
account of Joseph Nourse, deceased which was read
and passed TO the second reading.
Mr.. U. also submitted report on the subject, which
was ordered 10 be printed.
EDWARD BoLoN
Mr. UNDERWOOD, from the Committee on Claims, to
whom had been referred the petition of Edward Bolon
submitted report, accompanied by bill for his relief
The bill read, and passed to the Sc cond reading
ordered, That the report be printed. )
GAY
Mr. BALDWIN, from the Committee on Claims, TO
whom had been referred the documents relating to the
an act for the relief of Walter LOOMS and Abel Cay, APP
proved July 3D. 1896 which was read and passed to the
second reading
Mr.. b. also submitted report on the subject, which
ordered 10 be printed.
JOSEPH
Mr. BALDWIN, from the Committee on Claims. to
whom ha been referred the petition of Joseph Watson
submitted adverse report; which was ordered TO be
printed.
ERRORS SURVEYS.
Mr. FELCH, from the Committee Public Lands
to whom had been referred resolution relating to
and defective returns IN certain surveys pats, and hed
notes, reported the same without amendment; and sub
mted special report on the subject which was ordered
to be printed
PUBLIC LANDS IN ILLINOIS.
Mr. BREESE, from the Committee Public Lands
ture OF the State of Illinois respecting the Saline eserva
TONS reported bill confirming former sales by the State
of Illinois of the Ohio saline reservations, and authorz
Ing the sale of the residue OF such reservations which
read, and passed to the second reading.
S. GAINES.
Mr. DOWNS, from the Committee Indian Affairs
to whom had been referred the petition OF George s.
Gaines submitted adverse report; which ordered
TO be printed.
WILLIAM MARVIN.
Mr. YULEE, from the Committee Private Land
Claims to whom had been referred the petition OF Will
liam Marvin, reported bill for his relief; which
read, and passed to the second reading
BROOKLYN DRY-DoCK.
Mr. YULEE, from the Committee on Naval Affairs,
reported bill max ing an additional appropriation for the
and passed the second reading, and ordered to be
crossed and read third time, and passed
ASSISTANT PURsERs
The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole the
consideration of the bill providing for the appointment of
assistant purser5 in the navy
The amendment heretofore submitted by Mr.. BADGER,
to strike out the words "by warrant and insert "by
and with the advice and consent OF the Senate, was
Mr. YULEE said, that as he was desired by senator's
near him to explain the necessity OF this BILL he would
do so very briefly.
There were eighy-one vessels attached to the naval
establishment year ago. This number has been in
during the past year to meet the necessities OF the
service on the Mexican coast There are pur
| sers in service, OF whom there are
Now at sea SO
On duty at shore stations IA
Unfit for active sea service, from age AMI infrmity
Recently returned from sea, and settling accounts
Detailed for vessels now fitting for sea
Waiting orders 6
There fifty -four vessels in commission at the pres
ent tme so that there are, in fact now twenty YES
sells without pursersthe duties being performed by their
commanding officers.
This consequence detrimental to the service, and
just the officers obliged to pursers OF their
vessels who generally not with accounts,
and whose appropriate duties totally conflict with the
functions of purser. Several very hard cases have
grown ont of this deficit in the number of pursers. Seve-
raj officers of the navy whose brilliant achievements
the coast of Mexico entitle them the thanks of the
ton other countries where the rule of lnea pro-
motion is less rgidy observed, have returned home TO
be mucted In damages, instead OF being rewarded for
their merorious conduct. Some of them have balances
of thousand dollars found against them, for
the want of formal vouchers, although there be
doubt OF the actual expenditure. And the monthly
pay to which the law entities the officers thus situated
subject to be distracted from the support OF their fam
lies, and carried to the credit of the government
| This is all wrong Now what is the remedy? The
most economical and advantageous mode of supplying
the deficit in the number of pursers is that recommended
by the Secretary OF the Navy and reported by the
mee The assistant pursers will receive less salary
than the pursers allowed, and will fully answer the
necessities oil the service the class of smaller vessels
The alternative Is between the increase OF the number OF
pursers, the addition proposed by this bill TO the corps
There be question that this the preferable
ure for, besides The advantage the of economy
grade of purser after trial OF capabiIy and according
TO the relative merit of the persons filling the grade
proposed.
| Mr. WESrCOTT offered the following amendment TO