The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-18
IN CONGRESS OF THE q. STATES
Thiriy-Fourth CongreSs-FIrst session.
MONDAY, DECEMBER i, 1885.
SENATE.


Mr. FOOT presented the memorial of Captain John II.
Graham, of Brooklyn, New York, post captain IN the
navy Of The United States who sets forth that the eth
Of November 1872 he wounded by the enemy on the
Canadian shore opposite Black river in consequences OF
which he shortly afterwards suffered the amputation OF one
Of ha legs lie goes on To recapuate his various services
and suherp in behalf Of his country since that date and
states that be finds himself placed in what be consi
ers degraded position by the action OF the naval board
constituted under act Of the last Congress.
In presenting this memorial Mr. f. took occasion TO re-
mark that not his purpose TO pass structures
upon the action OF the naval board still further was 1t
from his inepton 20 npgn the motives which governed
their action 20 call in question the purity OF their Pur-
poses But however pure and honorable those purposes
and polypa aght have becn il not 10 be deuied or
disguised had il escaped the observation Of the conn
try, THAI in instances at least they had sadly mis-
judged greyous mistakes had been committed and, as a
necessary consequence serious wrong and INJURY ha been
iuHcted upon many mertorous officers The case OF Capt
Graham was indsputably Of that character Upon
what evidence the board had actedupon what rules they
had proceeded by what principles they were
IN assigning this officer position upon the inferior list OF
retired officers he did not know No could tell With
out hearing without notice. and without the assignment
OF any reason for It after period OF 40 years IN his ooun
try service in which he always ready at her call
and when he bore upon his person the honorable in
sigma of his bravery and bis suierings in her behalf
he now ound himself placed not upon the primary list oil
retired officers which ought TO be made II IT be not now
regarded post of honor but upon tho secondary or
inferior list which Is understood by rybody and reeog
nsed by the country as post OF degradaton From tns
decision Of the naval board be appeals TO Congress- and In
vokes the rigid scrutiny Of his professional and pri-
vate life to whether any nstable cause can be assign
ed for this decision, which attacks his TO hun most dearly
bought, professional reputation
MI II further stated that his own knowledge authorized
him FAY that Capt Grahams professional lille had been
that Of brave gallant, and chvarous ohcer while ma
private life had been that Intelligent upright Chris
tian citizen whose honor without reproach ana the
purity Of whose character above suspicion The phys
ira nfrmy under which he abored in consequence OF NE
loss OF limb in battle although il might disable him from
service ut would i'll any other country or IN any oihe
age instead OF consgnng him todcgradaon have secured
10 hliu the expression ol natona sfatuue IN tne
of rewards aud titles, of honor and distinction This
country also had been in the habit Of hestowlng medals
and hrevets upon those who had been disabled in war; or
who had sgnazed themselves assurances of national
gratitude and marks of honor and distinctions hut these
principles seemed have been reversed unintentionay
though it might have bee by the decisions of the naval
board and the victims Of their erroneous judgment
whether few many certainly entitled to hearing
and redress What of relief Congress ought TO
extend to the claimants in what manner II should be
given il bis province to ndcae but regarded
as proper subject for the consideration of the Commit
tee Naval Affairs and his notion the memorial WAS
referred to that committee.
PETITIONS PRESENTED REFEaaEp.
Mr. JAMES presented the petition of Benjamin Ha'ha
way praying that the bounty land TO which Charlotte
Hathaway was entitled widow of Sas Hathaway, a
revolutionary soldier, may be granted to her children
which was referred to the Committee OF Claims.
Mr. j. also presented the petitions OF the heirs Of Oliver
Weeks and of Isaac s. WhTord, praying 10 be allowed
hala a for the services Of their ancestors in the
lutonary war; which were referred 10 the same commit
tee
Mr. j. also presented the petition Of Robert H. Cogges-
hall and Others, heirs of Daniel Hail. deceased praying
compensation for property destroyed hy The enemy during
the revolutionary war; which was referred to the Commit
tee on Revolutionary Claims.
Mr. j. also asked leave to withdraw from the files OF the
Senate ,ie petition Of Edward Dexter Of Providence
Rhode Island wing the return OF duties on goods de-
stroyed by fire; which was agreed TO.
Mr. SEWARD presented IL document relating 10 the
claim Of Wm Maxwell Wood surgeon in Tue navy, for ad
dona remuneration for services bearer of dispatches
at the breaking out of the war with Mexico; which was
referred 10 the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. WELLER presented the petition Of William Foster,
praying compensation for services rendered in opening the
port OF Manaanlo in Mexico which was referred to the
Committee on Commerce.
Mr. SEWARD presented the petition of Oscar Bullus
commander in the navy the reserved list praying an
amendment Of the Of February % 1885, which was
referred 10 the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. s also presented letter from Samnel Lockwood a
commander in ihe navy complaining of the proceedings of
the naval board convened under the act OF February 2s
1865 which referred to the Committee on Naval Al
fairs.
Mr. s also submitted document relating to claim of
the heirs Of Sarah Crndall of pension which
referred TO the Committee on Pensions
Mr.. s. also presented the petition Of Daniel Brown a
United States pcnsione praying be allowed arrears Of
pension which referred to the same committee
Mr. s. also presented the petition Of the heir Of George
petton OF the heirs OF David Sweezy and several other
petitions OF the heirs of officers of the New York and Mas
sachusets line Of the revolutionary army praying to be
allowed the depreciation on Communication pay winch
were referred the Committee Revolutionary Claims
Mr. DODGE presented the petition OF members OF the
bar and officers of the United States district court for Wis
consn increase Of the salary of the Judge there
og and the petition OF the grand and petit jurors OF tho
United States district for Wisconsin, for change in
the time Of holding said which referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. JONES' Of Iowa, presented the petition OF settlers on
the military ut Fort Atkinson, Iowa praying for
the right Of preempten TO certain lands which was re-
ferTed to the Committee Public Lands.
Mr. J. aso presented the petition Of Caharine Newing-
top praying the right Of presumption to the land upon
which certain public buildings purchased by her at Fort
Atkinson Iowa. are located which referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Ar. MASON presented the petition OF Osmond Peters,
lieutenant In tue United States revenue marine service
ying that the bountyand law of March 3 1909 may
lie SO amended as to embrace him and all Others who served
in any war OF the United Smtcs which WAS referred to
tho Committee on Commerce
Mr. WELLER presented the following Joint re'olutions
from the legislature Of California which were arpropri-
ately referred
Joint resolution relative the establishment and conruc
ton of post-ronds ncross the plains, &c.
Joint resolution praying that bell bnoy be placed at
the entrance to the barbor of San Francisco.
Joint resolution in relation to the board OF land commits
souore.
Joint resolution for the construction of military road from
Sacramento vaAy to Crescent city, in that State.
Joint resolution relative to the payment OF pensions IN C
ifornia. - .
Joint resolution for the construction OF breakwater 10 the
harbor Of Crescent city.
Joint resolution for lighthouses Trinidad and Crescent
city.
Joint resolution praying the establishment of mslroutss
In certain localities.
Joint resolution relative the establishment Of sddi
tinnal land district in California.
Mr. W also presented the petition Of seventeen officers
OF the United States army stationed Fort Fillmore and