Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-11
CungrtssionaI.
THIRTY-FoURTH CoNGR Ess.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate.-.saturdaY, December 9, 1883.


enthusiastically, December Q, 1855.
Mr.. SUMNER presented a memorial from
Commodore Smith Of the United States Navy,
setting forth that he fnds himself, under the act
OF 2Sth February 1883, removed from the active
list and placed in retirement, thereby iDhibiiing
him from further advancement as well as all prob
able future employment in the active duties OF
his profession. The memorialist states that he
entered the service in 1909, and was actively en-
gagged during the late war with Great Britain
from lis commencement 10 lis termination in
1918, and participated in all the stirring events,
under the command OF Commodore McDonough,
in the brilliant victory Of The llth September,
1914, for which he had The good fortune 10 receive
from Congress the acknowledgment Of an homo
rary medal; that he was employed in various
situations from lieutenant 10 commodore, his last
service afoat being as acting commander-in chief
OF the naval forces in the Mediterranean since
which he has filed the station of Chief Of the
Bureau Of Yards and Docks, post unsooght by
him or his friends; and yet, for no cause known
10 him, he has been placed on the retired list on
the recommendation Of Board Of Naval Officers,
thus vitality affecting his position and prospects
as an officer
As il is assumed the law is executed and be-
You'd the revisory power Of the Executive, he APP
peals 10 Congress for such procedure may be
deemed fitting TO correct what he deems a harsh,
hasty, and partial decision of the Board, which
under the law, proceeded upon exparte opinion
entirely, and without the responsibility and
straints Of the usual judicial process of evidence
TO strike down the fair fame and reputation for
efficiency which had ever been his earnest effort
to establish as the richest legacy TO his family
and children.
Mr.. s. was instructed TO ask that the memorial
might be printed and though it was usual 10 refer
motions TO print to the Committee on Printing,
YET as the committees were not formed, he
thought there would be no objection to the order
being made, and allow the memorial TO lie on the
table.
MIR. TOUCEY objected TO any change Of the
rule in relation TO printing private memorials;
and the motion 10 print will go TO the com.
mitlee.
ting 10 the claim of the late Gen. Robert Armstrong
were allowed TO be Withdrawn, for the purpose
Of being submitted 10 the Board of Claims and
the papers OF William Brown, relating TO property
destroyed during the late war with Great Britain,
were also allowed to be Withdrawn for the same
purpose.
NOTICES OF BILLS.
BY Mr.. SLIDELL: A bill 10 remove obstruc-
tons in the mouth of the river Miss ssppi, at the
Southwest Pass and Pass a POure.
Also, bill relating TO pilotage.
NEW CLERK TO THE SENATE.
Mr. PRATT desired TO submit resolution,
which, az il related solely 10 the organization Of
the clerks Of the body, he hoped might at once be
considered
The resolution was read, as follows
RssoIved, That William Hickey be and is here
by appointed chief clerk, at salary of s., 500,
and that j. H. Nicholson be appointed in the
place made vacant by his appointment.
Mr.. p. said il would be observed that the reso-
luton made no change in the relative compensa-
ton of the clerk employed but simply provided
for additional clerk, and small addition TO the
salary Of Mr. Hickey, chief clerk.
The resolution was agreed 10 without dissent
ing voice.
And the Senate adjourned.