The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-15


seamen OF the navy since the government was organized
And, besides this justice and far dealing would most
uAques1ionaby require extension OF TINS principle OF
indemnity to our military officers and men The prnc-
pal point he made was that such indemnity was not
thouzed by any general lay and he submitted TO the
gentleman from Ohio himself whether he correct
Mr.. SCHENCK admitted that there was NO general
law authorizing the appropriation
| MIR. MCKAY said the amendment then clearly out
of order. He held In his hand book containing state
menls of the military finances OF Great Britain and there
he found that the most minute provisions were always
made with reference to these matters of government
demny Tor such losses but none OF them went to the
extent proposed in the amendment reported by the
gentleman from Ohio. This amendment makes sweep
lng comprehensive provision for all losses by of the
personal effects OF all persons engaged in the naval
vice. Mr.. Mex called for the reading of the sst rule
OF the House, to show that the amendment out OF
| orders and il was read accordingly, as follows
"s No appropriation shall be reported such general
appropriation bills or be in order as an amendment there
for any expenditure not previously authorized by law
unless continuation OF appropriations such public
works and objects already in progress and Tor The
contingencies for carrying the several departments OF
The CHAIRMAN then decided that the amendment
was clearly out OF order.
Mr.. SCHENCK appealed from this decision and after
some conversation the decision sustained
Mr.. SCHENCK moved to insert an amendment in re-
gard to gun practice, providing that every officer in
guns and making appropriation of $4,000 for the
pense OF the same Mr. s. said there used to be in the
navy practice OF occasional firing at targets with shot
and shells But, whether from economy other cause
the practice was now in dsuse There were officers i'll
the navy who never saw shot or shell fired. In the
Gulf, while talking of bombaring the castle OF
San Juan, young officers and our did not see
shot fired, though the English squadron them was
very busy in giving their officers and full practice
ship of lately returned from three years cruise,
and during the whole time gun never fired with
shot from her He modified the amendment SO as to
leave out the and put in the requirement of gun
practice as often at least as month.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr. SCHENCK then offered the same amendment in
substance but slightly different in form, requiring shell
q hIu
at least month He explained that the Committee
on Naval Affairs were OF opinion that the item should 60
for contingencies had not been made to enable the
CON- nanders to undergo the expense of powder and ball
actice and all gun-practce had therefore been dis
used
Mr.. SChENCK offered another amendment, under in
s,ructions OF the Committee on Naval Affairs for the r
chase of meal and flour, dried by machine invent
ed by Mr.. Stafford, Of Ohio. Flour and meal dried in
this bad been kep at sea- and in perfectly sound
making experiments with it. The object of the amend
ment to make experiments in the naval service to
whether fresh meal and flour could not be taken to
the health and comfort OF the crews. The amendment
proposed expend part Of the allowed for povis
ions, in buying samples OF this flour and meal TOR expert
ment
Mr. MCKAY said the provision unnecessary
Contracts could now be made For these, well any
other kinds OF provisions under the present laws by the
Navy Department He suggested that 1t would be well
to abolish the contract system FOR the supply Of provis
While the OF 6l0nS was nlnn, only
one contractor fulfilled his contra Ct
Mr.. JOHNSON of Arkansas opposed the amendment,
remarking that it evidently intended TO dictate to the
department. what provisions they should purchase 1t
appeared him look like bill for the benefit OF some
Mr. BAYLY said this plan of kn-drying corn meal
had been approved by scientific ten. Corn meal would
not keep week unless thus prep ared Corn meal was
Just beginning to be used elsewhere than in this country
The tendency of the so the article IN the navy would
be to introduce it in different parts OF the world, to the
great advantage of agriculture md commerce The
effect OF the amendment would be on 70 enable the Sec
Using for proposals. and being compelled to take an in
feror article at a lower bid.
motion TO strike out part of The amendment was
Mr.. vTNTON urged that the amer. lment proposed
would be of injury to the service 1t would not in
the purchase of little meal for experiment 1t was
worth talking about He hoped the co nmittee would
pass to another section
Mr. VINTON moved sundry amendments. merely YER
bal in their character; which were agreed to.
Mr. WHITE proposed to amend the bill by adding to
the 9Th clause OF the first sectn authority for the Sec
rotary of the Navy to contract for additional masonry
work the drydock at Brooklyn; which was injected
Mr. VlNTON proposed to amend said clause by add
ing an appropriation of for the purchase of adj
ditiona ground for the Brooklyn navy-yard.
Mr. TOOMBS proposed an amendment subsequently
withdrawn to enable him to express his views.
Mr. SCHENCK made point of order inquiring wheth
there was any general law authorizing this appropra
Mr. VINTON said there was a law authorizing a navy
yard at the city of New York.
The CHAIR overruled the point of order
And then the amendment was adopted
Mr. VINTON proposed verbal amendment in the 18th
clause; which was agreed to.
Mr.. v further moved to make the item, by in
sertng $4,000, instead OF 81 900, for dredging
| chine at Philadelphia which was agreed to.
Mr.. V. proposed verbal amendments to the 18th and
10th clauses, lat Washington and at Norfolk J which
were agreed TO.
Mr. v proposed verbal amendment TO the nth item,
l /nfD Pans CJn y vvhIc oodo pfa1
ber-shed, fifty thousand dollars which agreed to-
Also, verbal amendment 10 the 18th clause lat Mem
phis; y which was adopted.
| Mr.. HUNT proposed to add to the hospital item at
Boston, for repairs of marine hospital 81 900; which
was agreed to-
Mr.. DUNCAN of Kentucky proposed to amend by an
appropriation for hospitals at Psburg Cleveland,
and Louisville $4,000 Mr. D. explained his amend
men and argued its necessity to complete works already
begun.
Mr. WENTWORTH proposed an amendment which
he subsequently withdrew, to enable him to explain that
there another bill providing for the objects coDtem
plated in the amendment by the gentleman from Ken
lucky He complained of the rules of the House, by
which minority controls the business of the House.
After some conversation on point OF order by Mr..
SIMS and Mr.. HUNT
| Mr. STEPHENS moved an amendment, 10 enable him
to reply to the gentleman from Illinois, MIR WENT
WORTH He supposed the reference to the rule
which required of two-thrds TO reach any bill
out OF order The only difference between the opera
on oil inns rule the present and the last session, was,
that now majority could suspend only Monday;
whereas, al The last could suspend