The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-26
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The SPEAKER laid before the House letter
from the Hon. EDWARD STANLy, member of the
BODY, in reply to reflections made upon him by
Co mn ss,2 AP catesby Jones
MIR. STUART supposed that the purpose of the
gentleman would be effected by laying the letter
upon the table. and ordering it to be printed: and
he made the motion accordingly
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, inquired wbe.
ther the communication casting the reflections has
been printed.
The SPEAKER replied that it had been referred
to the Committee on Naval Affairs and ordered Ia
De printed. I'm connexion with private claim J
MIR. JOHNSON said it was but sheer Justice
that this letter should also be printed
Mr.. RICHARDSON concurred with the gentle
man from Georgia that this is question of private
difficulty. lift appears that papers known to con.
tam reflections upon the gentleman from North
SaIoiina nave Deen ordered to be printed, twould
De better TO retract the order if the House could
do So
Mr.. STUART modified his motion. so that the
letter may be printed in connexon with the papere
70 winch It reply; and it was agreed to-
MIR. GORMAN moved that the House resolve
Itself into a Committee Of the Whole on the private
calendar There were, be said, but few bills upop
1t, and this was the last day they could be consid
cred
The motion was disagreed to-ayes 43, noes not
counted
NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union-Mr. pREsToN
KING in the chair-and proceeded to the conside
ration Of the bill making appropriation for the
naval service 1or the year ending June 80. 1854
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee. addressed the
committee on the subject of naval defences and
offered an amendment increasing the appropria
ton 10, Ior the pay OF the personnel of the navy to
3,l26, 94S, with the proviso that the number of
seamen in ordinary and boys be increased to nine
thousand; and that the Secretary of the Navy paw
In his discretion ten per cent in addition to the
present rates of compensation.
Mr.. BOWIE spoke of the necessity of a better
protection of our coasts.
MIR CABELL, of Florida, said it was his purpose
to submit his views the important subject of es
tabshing a line of communication between this
country and China, but he declined doing SO at
present.
Mr.. TOOMBS gave one or two reasons wbv the
House ought not to adopt the propositions suggest
ed by the gentlemen from Tennessee and Marv
land. There was not time en- ,ugh to consider
them.
MIR. FLORENCE and others discussed the
amendment of Mr. STA NToN above stated. when
On motion of Mr.. STANTON, of Ohio, that por-
ton OF 1t relating to the increase of the number of
seamen was stricken out, and the amount of mo-
ney proposed to be appropriated reduced to
2,S79 ,448, out of which to pay the additional ten
per cent. to the sailors.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, offered an amend
ment, appropriating $2,5OO,O0O for building,
equipping, and arming three frieates and three
sloops of war; at least two of the frigates to be
constructed on Ericsson's caloric principle
MIR. JONES, of Tennessee, raised question that
the proposition was not in order on this bill; and
The CHAIRMAN decided accordingly: there
peing said, no law for an appropriation for that
purpose.
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, suggested that
there is law establishing a navy, and that the
proposition related to that subject, part of the
navy.
The decision of the Chairman, on appeal. was
sustained by the committee.
Mi. STANTON, OF Tennessee, offered another
amendment, to the effect that the President, in
to the repairing of old ships may, in his discre-
ton, build propellers of efficient Character.
This, too, was ruled out of order-ayes TO-
noes So.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee. moved 10 STRIFE
out 800 200 of the Sl,700,OOO for the repair of
vessels. So far as the money is expended for the
repairing of certain ships, in his iudgmentit was
thrown away. There ought to be appropriated no
more than to repair the rigging.
MIR. SWEETSER agreed with the gentleman.
Not only the old vessels but half Of the rusty
old commodores ought to be sunk with them.
Large sums OF money are voted to pay officers who
nave not smelt gunpowder for the last thirty
years. A voice: eAnd never will'l
MIR. BROWN, of Mississippi, said those RUSTY
Old commodores performed gallant duty when the
country needed their services and there should be
come one to shield them from reproach. There is
not man of them who is not an honor to the pub
lie service. If there should be another war, it
would be found that these "rusty old commodores
as the gentleman called them, would be ready to
hgnt Tor tn the projection Of their country again
MIR. SWEETSER did not wish to detract from
tne navy, but merely wished to call attention to
crying abuses; and when the gentleman alluded to
MN, ne ehouid have known perfectly well his sym
patny Tor the honor and glory of the navy. There
is broad difference between abuses and the main
tenance of an efficient navy.
Mr.. STANTON. of Tennessee, said il would be
economy to let the old vessels rot and he believed
n Sors ~,
MI. CARTIER said that Lieutenant Hunter can
Iured Alvarado with soop and one gun and that
Ler.l "
Other gentlemen participated in the debate.
and, without coming to conclusion upon the sub,
ect, the com mittee rose
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
Mr. LETCHER said that Yesterday there was
some alusion to the Secretary of the Interior with
regaro 10 particular abuses. He had received from
.ne e.ary detailed statement, which he de.
sired to present to the House.
Mr.. CLlNGMAN rose to a question of order
ne desired that general consent should be obtained
Various objections were interposed.
!. Mr. LETCHER thought that the Secretary
should be heard on the floor where he had been
and moved a suspension of the rules
No quorum voted-ayes Sc, noes aS
Mr. LEICHER said he had been requested by |
constituent Of his to present the letter. in reply to
Ihe charge OF misconduct.
/, MR. ORR supposed that by unanimous consent |
The paper can appear in full in the Globe of to.
morrow morning.
Mr. LEFCHER said there was nothing disre- |
'pectful In the letter. He wanted the CHARGE and
The reply to go together.
Many voices: "Agreed," "agreedp
Mr.. LETCHER repeated that the letter of the
secretary was mere statement of fact in vindiea
!on oil himself With the understanding that If |
snail appear in the Congressional Globe of to-mor
-ow, he would Withdraw the motion
Mr.. WILLIAMS said he had not given his con. |
'ent. he wanted to hear the paper read.
The reading was called for.
Inc SPEAKER said the Chair has no control
'ver the Globe A-0 eo"''oi
ion of the rules o' "'0sPen-
Mr. bAYHY said that when public officer does
tning making an impeachment necessary, and |
ne puoc oftlcer, in legal sense, sends in a sort
pea 70 the charge, it is question of privilege
eived - frS' "
Inc SPEAKER overruled the point.
Mr. BAYLY appealed from the decision.
mr.. PHELPS moved that the appeal be laid upon
ne table, and the question was decided in the af.
rmative.
Mr. STANLY then offered The paper as question
4 privilege.
Mr. JONES, Of Tennessee, suggested to the
not to insist uDOn this co,ree IN da~,