The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-04-24


EEFIoIESoY or ARMY.
On motion by Mr.. WELLER, the Senate then proceeded
to the consideration Of the bill appropriang three mil
lions of dollars for increasing the efficiency of the United
States army, in conformity With the recommendation OF
the President of the United States.
Mr.. WELLER had moved to amend the bill by adding
the following: .a z....#. VI ....
TO be applied to the objects or expended in the manner
For altering small Of cid patterns including those
possession OF the several States and Territories 81
For seacoast and garrison guns mounted 5000, 900.
For manufacturing small arms OF models, $250O00.
For manufacturing small arm aeeoatrements $4,000
For supplying ammunition for small arms, $3.50 600.
For supplying ammunition for seaeoas garrison and field
guns s4b0,oOo
Provided That the President shall have power should he
deem advantageous to the public service and necessary
for the proper execution Of the works mentioned transfer
from the designated for Of these objects
to another Of these bjects.
The question pending the motion of Mr. HALE to
strike out the proyso.
The motion agreed TO, and the amendment amend
ed was then adopted.
Mr. BELL of Tennessee expressed doubts whether this
large amount could be properly expended within the pres
year be thought it would be expedent to reduce the
amount and if it was found necessary, additional appro
priations could be made AT the next session.
Mr. WELLER showed that the work could be most adj
vantageousy prosecuted if the whole amount appro-
priated now.
Mr. HALE opposed the BILL saying that the guns which
proposed 10 alter by the application of percussion
caps and Maynard's primers would not be worth much
after this million and a quarter of dollars expended
them. lie had been informed that would not
be good the breech-loadug rifles, which
supersedng the old patterns and further that they
would not stand wet weather He also alluded 10 the large
annual expenditures of the government the present time
under democratic administration, when the country
in of profound peace and said that the attention of
the people ought to be arrested by these facts
Mr. CASS said that these large expenditures were made
by Congress- and not by the administration 1t well
known that large amounts had been appropriated in oppo
stion to- and in spite of the recommendations Of the Ex
eeuve in this manner millions had been added to the
Congress-
Mr. HALE thought the democratic party ought to be
held responsible for it, as they had been for years in the
majority in both houses of Congress.
The further consideration of the bill was postponed until
to morrow.
DUES. d.
On motion by Mr.. MASON the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of the following resolution, which was re-
ported by the Committee on Foreign Relations:
Resoced That the notice which has been given by the
President to Denmark pursuant to the resolution OF the
Senate of the 3D. March, 1885, to inmate the treaty with
that of the 26th of April in the year 1885, sufficient
to such treaty terminate and be annuled all in
tents whatsoever pursuant to the eleventh article thereof
and that other further act of legislation necessary to
put end to said treaty part of the law of the land
Mr. SUMNER said that he had amendment which he
desired to Offer and on which he wished to be heard and
he hoped the subject would be postponed until tomorrow
and then taken up and disposed OF.
Mr. MASON stated that he had only called it up with
the view OF making it the special order for future day
He then moved that the further consideration OF the sub
ec be postponed and made the special order for tomorrow
at haf-past twelve o'clock.
Mr. STUART urged the Importance Of taking up and
dsposng of tho river and harbor bills before opening the
discussion OF another auesop He had several times
scented to the posponement Of these bs give way the
Kansas debate and the discussion of the naval board b
be should be compelled to object to the creation OF adj
dona special orders take precedence of those important
measures Of internal Improvement
Mr.. lpERSON hoped the Senate would dispose of the
resolutions which he offered nearly two months ago. in
gard 10 the appointment Of committee to investigate the
grounds and for the action of the naval board
Unless matter acted upon soon this session would
he
Mr. STUART moved to postpone the further considera
ton Of the subject until Monday next and make It the
special order Tor She oe9ex he hoped That his bills would
Mr.. SUMNER acid that like the senator from Michigan
he in favor Of the lsrnalimproyement bills and
should for hem but those bins could yait better than
this question Tbs treaty with Denmark was already
about expiring and the question involved public and pr
vate rights For these reasons be desired the immediate
action of the Senate on this resolution.
After further debate the hour having arrived for
the consideration Of the special order the further consider
alton Of the subject was postponed until tomorrow
NAVAL BOARD.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of the follow
ing resolutions, which submitted by Mr. IVERsoN on
the 2sh Of February
ReoIped, That committee Of senator's be appointed
by the Chair, with power send for persons and papers
and that said committee be- and hereby authorized and
instructed TO before the members Of the late
val retiring board or of as may be conveueny
brought before the committee and examine them oath
the facts and evidence grounds and reasons upon
which the action Of said board ouuded in each the
officers recommended to be put the retired list drop
ped from the service and that said committee be further
suced TO inquire and obtain any other facts which, in their
opinion may bear upon the cases aforesaid and report the
same 10 the Senate.
And further re.oDed That said committee be author
lied and instructed To advise and consult with the President
Of the United States in relation to the cases Of said retired
and dropped officers with the view Of correcting
injustice which have been committed by the action Of
said retiring board by the reappUntment restoration by
the President OF such officers may have been unusty
improperly retired or dropped.
Mr. CRITTENDEN obtained leave Of Mr.. HoUsroS (who
had the floor this subect TO make explanation He
proceeded show that Captain Sribng had claimed the
honor Of capturing pratcal vessel in 1923, which
plot in reality performed by the late Lieut. Watson.
The matter had been brought 10 the attention Of Capt S.
and he bad promptly ackno bis mistake he having
been led into the by similarity in the Of the
pracal chietains as be engaged in similar capture
during the Mr.. O. had no idea that the |
intentional the part of Capt g. yet it secme
TO be necessary that the explanation should be publicly
made.
Mr. BUTLER made few remarks on the same subject |
Mr. JONES, Of Tennessee, also awaited himself Of the
courtesy Of the senator from Teras vudcse the char
Of Lieutenant Bartlett which had been assaled on a
former occasion by the senator from Louisiana Mr. STU
DELL
Mr. HOUSTON then proceeded TO address the Senate at
length in relation to the general subject OF the naval
board He regretted the absence Of the senior
from Delaware Mr. CLAYTON he should have been glad
to have him listen TO his remarks this occasion. He
then took and replied the speech Of Mr. CLAY
10 executive session, from which the injunction Of
erocy had been removed euogizing Capt Dupont His
remarks which by turns sarcastic and humorous,
continued until halfpast three o'clock when with
out concluding, he gave way motion for adjournment;
and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House met at IL, m.
he laid befN he ntra4ip