Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-03-01

Mr.. Slidcll said as this was q test Tote, Ie
moved the Senate adjourn: which was agreed
10. and at | o'clock Saturday morning the Senate
adjourned to meet at II \. N.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Hughes of Indiana, asked leave TO intro
duce a resolution repeating the tariff act Of
1857, and ~reviving the act of 1876.
Objection was made from all sides of The
HOUSE, and much confusion cnSued.
Mr.. Phelps Of Mo. moved TO reconsider the
vote nv which the House Yesterday r elected the
Post Office Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Blair Of No. moved to lay the motion 10
reconsider on the table. which was not agreed
to-yca> -. nays lo+.
Mr.. PHELPS OF Mo-. was surprised that the
gentleman from Pennsylvania. tMr. Phillips.
should haze voted in the Committee OF lays
and Means for reporting thu Post Office .tppro'
priatior. bill, and that he should then dellbc
rately vote against it. Vas he 4 friend Of the
Administrations and didhc wish to carry out the
policy of the administration especially when
tie gentleman had been placed on the Commit
Tee of Way, and Means hecati>c Of his pre-.
fr,>cd friendship 10 the President
Mr.. Jones Of Pennsylvania. was ashamed
that il should lac admitted Oh the floor OF the
House lDlI TIC f.NttlIll't SllOuIl nave lltSI
fcrcd with the formation Of committees.
Mr.. Phelps said that such was not the case.
Mr.. Montgomery of Pennsylvania. wished to
know what right the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Phelps had 10 arraign tie members OF
his party?
Mr.. Phelps said ne knew where the gentle
man stood: he wa, NOT among the friends OF
the Administration.
i rather animated debate sprans up between
Mc>srs. Phelps and Phillips in reference to the
latW's opposition TO the Post Office bill.
Mr.. Phillips said that he WAS opposed TO this
bill and would vote against it IL long q 1t con-
tanned certain objectionable features. His vote
WAS no; 10 he controlled by Executive dictstlon
or that O; the chairman Of the Committee y!
WAYS and Means.
The discussion between these gentlemen was
listened to with a good deal Of attention By ;hc
House. Mr.. Phelps aScribed the opposition Of
Mr.. Phillips 10 the fact that the Pennsylvania
delegation had determined to vote against every
APPROPRIATION bill until Il satisfactory change in
the tariff WAS made. II Mr.. Phillips had seen
Objectionable features in the bill. why did he
no, propose amendments: Not Il single amend,
lnent had he proposed.
The vote was taken on the motion 20 recon
slider the vote by which the bi! WAS rejected.
and rcsul,cd-ycas l2l. nays 81.
On motion o. Mr.. Phelps. OF Mo-. the House
Went into Committee Of the Whole, and re
Sumcd the consideration " the Naval .Appro-
|priallon hill.
Mr.. Sherman. of Ohio, moved to reduce the
appropriation of 50. l0p. 0Oo for repairs. ;.rua-
mcnt. equipment, fuel for steamers. and hemp.
to 81. 300. 0DU-to be employed Is follows. viz:
$500, 600 for coal; 500, 100 lnr hemp and other
materials, and 81, 000. 900 for repairs. &c, with
thu pro, $50 that not more than $1,000 he cX-
~,sn:cl 1t any navy yard, unless the necessity
# such repairs be- demonstrated by the report
Of 4 board consisting uf not less than three ma
val officers.
Mr.. Sherman said that the necessity Of this
amendment WAS shown by the report of the
select committee appointed To examine into
abuses in the United States navy yards, ~
Especially in the purchase Of roal had greater
frauds and abuses been discovered than ne had
ever known under any Administrations.
Mr.. Phelps warned gentlemen TO beware how
they trifcd with the appropriations for the sup
port Of the navy. in the present critical state
Of affairs. 1t was not improbable that onr ma
tional vessels would be required III the Gulf of
Mcxico-thc American SEA. which belongs 10
Us. and which we are determined TO control.
Mr.. Sherman wished to see the most rigid
retrcnchment and reform introduced in the ad-
mini>tration of the navy. Although e~ntailing
all enormous expense upon the country, the
navy was entirely useless, and was only lit 10
carry our naval officers on pleasure excursions
to foreign countries.
Mr.. Bocock, OF Virginia, also opposed the
amendment on the srouid that it would mill
tate against the interests OF the government.
and in reply to the charge that officers Of the
government had been implicated in the abuses
10 which the gentleman referred, said that the
proof did not sustain il. lie moved To amend
the amendment by increasing the appropriation
for fuel to 500, 0po; pending which Considers
BILE discussion ensued. until. finally
Mr.. Garrett. Of Virginia, moved TO amend
the original paragraph which it was proposed
to strike out bv reducing the appropriation to
81. 800. 900: which amendment was adopted
ayes llG, nays :.
During the vote upon this amendment the
committee twice found itself without a quorum.
when the roll was called and the fact reported
10 the House.
Mr.. Garnet. Of Virginia, then moved to
amend the paragraph appropria,ins $3.50, 600
for contingent expenses by reducing it to
S50s. 900: which amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Shcrnan's amendment finally was adopt
I'd.
The House frequently finding itself without
n quorum, At about six o'clock 4 motion was
made To adjourn, but unSucccssfully Y.
\ call of the House was ordered 10 secure
the attendance Of members. These proceedings
orc,uiri several hours
At h~alfpast $ o'clock. wcaried with the un-
profitable proceedings, the llonSc adjourned by
two majority.