Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-24
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS,

In the Senate, yesterday, after we went to
press, Mr.. Iverson's pending resolution for
the appointment of Committee, with power
to send for persons and papers, to examine
into the action of the late Naval Retiring
Board, &c, was taken up.
Mr.. Crittenden obtained leave of Mr. Hous
ton (who had the floor on this subject) to make
an explanation. He proceeded to shsw that
Captain Stribling had claimed the honor of
capturing a piratical vessel in 1923, which
exploit was in reality performed by the late
Lieut.. Watson The matter had been brought
to the attention of Capt. S and he had
promptly acknowledged his mistake, he hav-
ing been led into error by similarity in the
names Of the piratical chieftains, as he was
engaged in similar capture during the same
summer. Mr. C. had no idea that the error
was intentional on the part of Capt. S., yet
1t seemed to be necessary that the explana-
ton should be publicly made.
Mr.. Butler mado few remarks on the
same subject.
Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, also awaited him
self Of the courtesy Of the Senator from Texas
to vindicate the character of Lieutenant Bart
lett, which had been ass1iled on a former &C.
casion by the Senator from Louisiana, Mr.
Sldell
Mr. Houston then proceeded with his re-
| marks, which commanded general attention,
| and by their pleasantly frequently excited
much merriment in the Senate. He reiter-
ated all his former accusations against Capt.
Dupont, and replied to the indications of
Messrs Clayton and Bayard. He also criti-
| eised the conduct Of Captains Stribling and
Pendergrast, who, though members Of the
late Board, were charged with derelictions of
duty similar to those which were alleged
against certain officers who had suffered from
| the action of that Board. Mr. Houston also
defended the personal character and lauded
| the gallantry of Lieut.. Rolando, who had
been dismissed the Sci vice by the finding of
| the Naval Board. The Senator contended
that there was no analogy between the action
| OF this Board and the reduction of the army
after the war of 1912, for that was effected by
| commission of senior ard superior officers,
who, since they could not profit by the results
of their own decisions, were not placed under
the same temptations to the commission of in
justice as were the members Of the Naval
Board. He believed the whole scheme of
navy reform" had its origin in a cabal OF
| interest officers formed years ago He also
commented on the extraneous influence now
brought to bear on the Senate by the opinions
| OF the Executive and the Secretary of the
Navy In defence of the action of the Naval
| Board. He believed the law authorizing that
Board was an odious one, and that it had been
odiously executed. Without concluding his
remarks, the Senator gave way to motion to
| adjourn.
In the House, the debate on the motion to
reconsider the vote of the House agreeing tc
the Senate's ffty-frst amendment to the De
fciency bill-granting the 20 per cent. extra
| compensation to the Librarian of Congress and
his assistants, declaring that the 20 per cent
| extra compensation was not designed to apply
| to the Printer of either House Of Congress,
and taking from the Superintendent of the
| Public Printing the management of the bind
ing, ruling, and furnishing blank books fol
| the several Executive Departments-was fur.
| Their debated by Messrs. Haven, Ii. Marshall,
of KY, and Giddings for it, and Messrs Cobb
of Ga, and Clingman against it; and then
the said motion to reconsider was laid on the
table-yeas 70, nays g.
The Nebraska contested election case was
next postponed until Tuesday next.
| The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, mr. Cobb,
| of Ca, in the chalr,) wherein the Indian Az.
| preparation bill was discussed for some time
Shortly afterwards they adjourned.