The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-24
House Of Representatives.

AhVusSC IA
wAsmroror March 90, 1862,
PETITIONS FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
Mr. Grow, (dem) of Pa, presented resolution Of the
Legislature Of Pennsylvania asking for the establish
ment Of dry dock and navy yard the lake frontier
Also resolution relative Smith OBrien; and third
asking for breakwater and piers in tho river Della
ware, Laid on the table.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS.
The SrEAKER placed before tho House an Executive
communication, in answer to resolution adopted on the
18th umo and giving information as to the seizure and
concation of the two vessels Georgana Of Maine and
Susan Lord Of Massachusetts,, Referred to tho Commit
on Foreign Affairs.
The Speaker also laid before the House a communica
tion from the Treasury Department. enclosing report
the light house system Of the country Referred to
the Committee on Commerce. Also, communication
from the Navy Department in reply to the resolution
calling for information show the cost OF the foreign
mail service and requesting all the items connected with
the contracts These furnished and ordered to be
prnted Also part of the Patent Once report for 1851
relating to arts and manufactures The Commissioner
of Patents promises the agricultural portion shortly The
communication referred to the Committee Print
ing, with instructions to inquire into the proprcty OF
printing an extra number Of copies.
THE DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The House went into Committee Of tho Whole on the
State of the Union tho bill for supplying the dehcien
ces in the appropriations for the present fiscal year
During the debate the large number Of amendments
offered,
Mr.. PRICE, (dcm) OF N. Y, advocated the increase
OF the appropriations for defence and justified tho
duct Of he Executive with reference to that object
gancc He coptended that IL better that the army
should be dsbandcd than fayortsm and fraud be
tinuedsuch fraud for instance giving fifty dollars
ton for hay and then the seller dividing the punder with
the officers The House should hold the purse strings
Mr. GoRMAr (dem.) ofIa, commented on the fact that
the cost of maintaining each soldier in 1s45, was four
hundred and four dollars Now 1t is thousand dol
lars There corruptions in the Departments.
Officers in partnership with who sell horses and
thus fleece the government He said he knew Of one OH
ccr who, after defraudng the government Of SloO0 0Oo
has settled down independently and at ease In Oregon
(Crcs Of Who Is he?" His name') He would not tell
his publicly but would mpart to any gentleman
privately, and be responsible.
Mr. GrrTRy (whg) of Tenn said the Secretary Of War
does forward and explain the cost Of the service
The Secretary admits that there corupons But did
these begin yesterday Have they not existed for years.
Did thoy not exist in Mexico during the war? 1t IL in
the item Of transportation principally that the expenses
Of the Quartcrmaster's Department have increased
Are the President and Secretary responsible for the
acquisition Of California and other territory which
qurc this force for the protection Of people and the
carrying out of our treaty stipulatons with Mexco Ger
tanly not but still Congress must provide for the do
fence.
The debate continued and consisted Of repetition
Of the charges Of oxravnganc against tho government
and defence ofthe Executive Department.
without concluding the subject the committee rose
and the House nd journed.