Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-08

huou exciusiVely 70 these acts.
House Of Representatives. Feb 8, 1861
The Speaker laid before the House a COM
munication from the War Department enclo-
sing q statement of the expenses of that De-
partment for the fiscal year ending June sOth,
1854
Also a communication from the same De-
partment in relation to the militia Of the Uni
ted States.
They were both ordered to be laid on tho
table and printed
Mr.. Cutting asked the unanimous consent Of
the House, to enable him to present remon-
STRANGE to the Nebraska BILL made by meet
ing recently held at the Tabernacle, in New
York, and explained that his sentiments were
not in harmony with those who composed that
meeting.
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Maine, objected, and per-
sisted in his objection, notwithstanding several
appeals were made to him to permit the pre-
sentati0n.
On motion Of Mr.. Houston, Of Alabama, the
House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the Deficiency Bill, Mr.. Seymour in
the chair.
Several amendments were moved and adopt
ed, but few of which are Of public Importance
On motion to appropriate IS, 99l. ga to COM
pensate the mixed military and civil commits
sion appointed to inquire into the subject of
governing tho armories Of the United States by
military or civil officers, Mr.. Ingersoll spoke
with earnestness and effect in opposition to the
military government.
Mr.. Faulkner commented upon the fact
that the commission had not extended their
| Investigations to Harper's Ferry.
Mr. Pratt said that the investigation at
Springfield was q perfect hnmbug and was 80
regarded by all who observed the course Of the
commission
Mr.. Banks, Of Massachusetts said that the
real question was one of principle. Discipline
was needed everywhere, but that applied to the
| army was not suited to a body of mechanics.
The commission was, therefore, of no profit.
Congress was alone competent to determine the
question committed to it, and should do 30.
Mr.. Houston persisted in directing the atten-
ton of the House to the fact that the only
question before it was that of defraying ex-
penses incurred in past services, whether profit
able or not. The several amendments pro-
posed by gentlemen who had thus enabled
themselves to speak on the subject, were, there
fore, out Of order.
Mr.. Hubbard sustained this view.
| Mr.. Stanton, Of Kentucky, denounced the
custom Of selecting officers from the army to
devise and supervise public works in this coun-
| try. He said that in architecture, civil engi-
neering, Sc. there were excellent profcents I;
and yet no custom. house, no water works, nor
other work, could be constructed without a
draft upon the army, and this, too, at time
when the Administration is asking an increase
Of engineers Mr.. Stanton was called to order
for irrelevancy.
Mr.: Bssell replied to his remarks until he
also was called to order.
Mr. Dickinson, of Massachusetts,, urged the
appropriation called for.
Mr. Florence inquired of the chairman of
the Committee Of Ways and Means, whether
the commission had performed its whole duty
Mr.. Houston replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Florence said the question then was
simply on the payment of debt incurred. He
hoped it might be at once determined but he
was opposed to paying the military portion Of
the commission anything in addition to their
regular salaries and perquisites. He disap-
proved Of committing to them such duties, and
certainly would not pay them more for their
performance than civil officers required.
MIR. Goodrich said that his colleague Mr..
Pratt was mistaken. There was divided
sentiment in Massachusetts,, in regard to q
choice between the military and civil govern
ment OF the armOries and he was himself in
favor Of the former.
The motion for the appropriation was finally
adopted.
The Committee proceeded to the considera-
ton Of q motion to insert in the bill an appro-
priation Of 81 900 for finishing marine hos
pital at Napoleon, in Arkansas, submitted by
Mr.. Greenwood, Of that State, and ably sus-
tanned by Mr. Perkins, who proposed to in
crease the sum to $4,000 Pending its consid-
GRAFTON, call of the House was asked.
At which point our report closed