Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-20
senate--W ednesday, December 10, 1855.
PRESENTED, Ert

PETITIONS PRESENTED, ETC.
Mr.. CLAYTON presented several memorials,
all praying indemnity for spoliatons committed
by the French prior TO 1900. In presenting these
memorials, Mr.. G. said that he should not move
their reference to any committee but would sui
fer them TO lie on the table for the present He
desired, however, TO avail himself OF this oppor-
tunity 10 make single remark. The veto mes
sage of the President came in at SO late an hour
of the last session, that opportunity was afford
ed for full discussion Of 1t. II was one which he
was exceedingly anxious TO discuss, and in refer
ence 10 which he would say now, that the single
id. upon which the whole message was predi-
Gated was an error--an error Of fact. The mes
sage Proceeded on the ground that the claims of
these petitioners were paid under the treaty OF
Louisiana of 1902. The whole question was thus
reduced TO question OF fact. Hit was true that
these claims had been paid under that treaty here
ought 10 be an end OF them IT, on the other hand,
il was not true, and If that was the only ground
upon which the President based his veto mesa e,
the claims ought 10 be paid. When the veto mes
sage came in at the last session, he was conscious
of the tact that there existed in the Department of
State testimony which would completely refute
the idea entertained by the President, that these
claims had been paid under the treaty of 1902
There to be found the names Of all the
claimants who were paid under that treaty, aud
there were also The names of all who claimed in
demnity. The two lists had since been published;
and il appears that not single one of those
who ask for indemnity from this Government on
account of these spoliations is included in the
number of those who were paid under the treaty
He merely rose TO make this remark and at some
future day he should call up these petitions for the
purpose of considering the subject more fully.
The memorials were laid on the table.
Mr. RUSK presented the petition Of James
Harrington, a laborer on the Smithsonian grounds
praying TO be allowed extra compensation; which
was referred TO the Committee on Claims
Mr. FISH presented the memorial Of Captain
John B. Montgomery, ofthe United States Navy,
praying 10 be released from his liability for an
unpaid balance of public money entrusted 10 him
for recruiting purposes, and lost by the failure Of
the bank in which il was deposited which was
referred 10 the Committee on Naval Affairs
Mr. CRITTENDEN presented The memorial
of Uriah p. Levy, late Captain in the Navy OF
the United States, complaining of the action of
the Naval Boardconstituled under the act of Con-
gress of February 2S, 1855; which was referred 10
the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. BRODHEAD presented similar memor.
ial from Peter Wager late master in the United
States Navy; which was referred TO the same
Committee.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
Mr.. FOOT presented the following resolution,
which was agreedto
Resolved That the Committee on Pensions be
directed TO inquire into the expedency of ex-
tending the benefits of the existing pension laws
the surviving officers and soldiers Of the war of
1912 and 10 the widows and minor children of
those who are deceased.
RESOLUTION SUBMITTED
Mr.. JONES OF Tennessee submitted the follow
ing resolution, and asked its immediate consider
alton:
Resoived, That the Secretary Of the Navy be
directed TO furnish the Senate with a copy Of the
proceedings Of the Board OF Navy Officers APP
pointed under an act Of Congress passed on the
18th day Of February, 1855, entitled Gan act 10
promote the efficiency OF the Navy embracing
snch charges as have been preferred against the
several officers of the Navy who have been dis
missed from the public service or placed on the
reserved list
Mr. BRODHEAD suggested the propriety of
allowing the resolution TO lie over few DAYS, in
consequence OF the absence Of the chairman of
the Committee on Naval Affairs, (Mr. MALLORY
Mr. JONES made no objection to THAI course.
Mr.. CLAYTON thought the subject ought to be
considered in executive session Otherwise great
injury might be done to many persons whose con.
duct had been under consideration by the Naval
Board.
Mr.. BUTLER concurred in the same opinion. |
After some further debate, the resolution was
laid over.
The Senate went into executive session. and |
after some time adjourned
House Of Rep resentatives.
Mr.. THOR1NGTON withdrew the resolution |