New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-03-23
XxXIIId CONGREss-Fmsr SESSION
SENATE. -. .WAsnIsGroY, March %,

XXXIIId CONGRESS-FIRsT SESSION.
SENATE. :. .WAsHIsGroS, March %, 1854.
| Numerous petitions were presented.
Mr. FISH moved that the second Friday in April be set
spa for the consideration Of the adverse reports of Com
| nitees on Private Claims. Agreed to.
| Mr.. GWIN from the Committee on Naval Afairs re-
ported back the House joint resolution giving the Navy
department power TO reject under certain circumstances,
bids for supplying the Navy with provision clothing and
Mr. PRATT (Md) said this resolution established a
principle in the contract system Under the present
any lowest bidder able TO give the required security
was entitled receive the but under this
luton the bid Of no man. matter what his
ability could be accepted unless be were manufacturer
orgeneral dealer in the specified article IL would DC bet
ter to abolsh the pncp Of giving contracts to the low
est bidders and LET the Department go into the market and
purchase articles required.
Mr. GWIN (Cal) read a letter from the Navy Depart
en showing the serious losses and constant nconven-
fences 10 which the service subjected in consequence
ofbeiDg placed at the mercy Of the speculitors.
purchase -four for California and distant stations which
would not spoil upon the voyage which was the case win
all the -four forwarded by contractors One article OF
flannel and that article had been furnished BY manufac
furer according to contract and sample This year an
other person had uDderbd by small fraction the manu-
facurer and Of eleven different specimens furnished had
Dot yet delivered any but inferior article Yet the De
psrment obliged to accept the bids of such specula
s 40 long they lower than bids of persons who
could and would furnish the proper articles.
Mr. PRATT repeated his objections to the resolution
Mr. GWIN replied and an instance of the evils I'M
der which the Department labored mentioned the case OF
q ship chandler in New York who had obtained the con
tract for shoes, clothing &C. at prices under those ct
which articles could be furnished by manufacturers and
consequently would not furnish any but inferior articles
Mr. SHIELDS I'M favored the resolution. He
thought the whole contract system for furnishing supplies
for the army and navy required and would have to under
Mr. CLAYTON Deli supported the resolution.
Mr.. CASs Mich said he was opposed to inviting pro-
posas from all classes and accepting only those made by
persons belonging to particular class
Mr. PETIT lind said he could not vote for any resolu
ton denying equality to all citizens to bid for contracts
for furnishing Government with provisions, clothing &C.
flor the army or the navy.
Joint resolution passed. Yeas %; Nayso
1.-The bill authorizing Wisconsin to select the residue OF
ds granted her in 1876 TO aid in the Improvement Of
Ior and Wisconsin Rivers taken up and passed.
The bill granting land to Illinois and Indiana to aid in
constructing the Illinois and Indiana Central Railway,
taken up and passed.
The bill increasing the pay Of the rank and file Of the
and for other M again % up t@G
he ninth section which increases BY sixty two the num-
Der Of cadets to be appointed every four years and gives
their appointment to the Senators OF their respective
Mr.. CLAYTON was opposed to the striking out.
Mr. PEARCE said il the question was one of mere pat
ronare alone he would vote to strike it cut but he be-
Eeved increase Of the number of cadets was necessary
and they to be appointed the Senate might as wen
have the same power held by the members OF
he House Under the present law each member OF the
House appoints cadet and ten selected by the
President He wss unwilling to ne had seso
BY the last appointments what appeared 10 DC
10 give these places a OF hereditary character twas
not 80 designed but such the appearance oi the up
pontmeuts made by the President.
MT PRATT was in favor of increasing The number of
cadets but was opposed to giving their appointments to
mir. HAMLIN was in favor of striking out. He sad
there necessity for increasing the number OF
Mr. BADGER followed in support of the section as it
now stood. , = s. -.
West Point while he aoceded to all that had been SAID IN
praise of West Point and of the officers had gwen tne
country; st il il question as to the establish
ent Of that school he would oppose IT, E
should be educated at public expense ana none oihers
II proper to educate and train up men at public eS
pense TO lead armies and engineers why was It
not equally right to establish schools for the education OF
Presidents Secretaries Dpomotiss Senators and Repre-
Mr. BUTLER rose to reply.
Mr. MASON asked him to yield the floor for IN Execu-
Mr., BUTLER-I would but think this Army bill Is
more important thar Gsdsden's treaty.
Mr. SHIELDS said this bill could be got through with
foday and he would ask the division of the House on
Affer some further conversation, Mr. MASON moved
at quarter before two to postpone the bill for the Execu
tive Session. Hostages 10 Noes IL
Mr. BJTLER then supported the bill as ii now stood
giving the highest character TO West Point and the OIL
GERS had produced He thought there was necessity for
Increasing the number of cadets If there were no room
Tor them in the army they would engage in private pur
suits and in emergency would furnish citizen solder
host of accomplished ana educated officers He thought
the time very rapidly coming when the army would
require large increase Of officers and army.
Mr. CASS repeated his objections, made Yesterday to
The bin There necessity for increasing the num-
Der Of cadets
M SHIELDS replied warmly. He said that there
we're many reasons which would be improper for him to
state in open session now which il stated would satisfy
the country that the army rank and hie ana the navy
shoud be largely incre ased Both OF defense should
be largely increased for the purpose Of going TO war
but 10 Keep out Of it, to preserve neutrality which
other nations will respect The whole world except tne
United States would be IN 10" mon'nS III
armed conflict Such sight was never presented yel:
How could the United States keep out Oh tna vortex oi
warfare unless II had armed force sufficient to maintain
s ow neutrality and preserve its peaceful relations with
Htber Governments Tho time of preparation for these
yepts was now upon let this session. as all Others,
VAS 10 be wasted in discuSrg distractions and let pract
cal business be defeated when he came iorward WIN
had 10 come as beggar asking to be heard and he was
frequently sent away unheard He had got through one
BILL which If passed by the House would give new NE
10 the army This one put the RANK ana me on pes's
pay and better footing lie had ohsr oS
Mr. DODGE Iowa. opposed the increase OF the nIh9e
Of cadets and their appointment by senators; ne
Tended the cadet appointments made by tle rIosaou.
He and member of the other House waited on tne resi-
dent to recommend youths of their State as csses anu
the President told them that Ohio and Iowa had aeaay
hsa appointments from their Representatives IN congress-
that the law in placing under his appointments zen caue
lhps seemed 10 have in view that he would select theh
from those classes who from their duties ana ter ser
vices have no political power or influence, ana nave no
local babitaon and these the officers OF the ar ny
and the navy He justified and euloyzed the President
for turning aside the appeals Of politicians ana other
ssfsh considerations, and bestowing the ten cadet aP
portuep.s in his gift upon the sons OF Worth, Mcneil
and other veterans whose whole lives had been given 10
Their country 80,
MrPEARCE explained that be did not complain OF the
Coz rye nur.,ed nv The President but still he unwilling