Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a.

WASHINGTON, Feb. "a.
Mr.. Bocock, from the Select Committee of In.
qulry into the abuses of the naval contracts pre-
sented majority report. The resolutions append
ed say the testimony proves the existence of garinQ
abuses IN the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which have
Deen growing Tor long series of years That the
coal agency is in the hands of incompetent persons,
and needs reforming That the Secretary of the
Navy Is not censurabe in the matter of the live oak
contracts or the machinery for the seven sIoops-
of-war. On the other hand Messrs Sherman and
Hltchle join in statement and resolutions setting
Iorth that the Secretary, with the sanction of the
President, abused his discretionary power in select
ing coal agents, and 10 the purchase of fuel That
lhe 1--we oak contract with Swift was made in YiO-
atlon OF law and to the injury of the public ser
vice. That the distribution by the Secretary Of
government patronage at the Brooklyn Navy Yard,
among members of Congress, is corrupting in in
nuence, and injurious to the public service That
the President and Secretary by receiving and con-
slderlng the party relations for contracts and the
enect OF awarding contracts upon the pending elec-
ton has set an example dangerous to public safe
ty,and deserving the reproof Of the House That the
appointment of Daniel B. Martin, Chief Engineer,
to be a member of the Board of Engineers to report
upon proposals for constructing machinery the
said Martin being at the time pecuniarily interest
ed IN some of said proposals. is hereby censured by
the House
Mr.. Sherman also reports bill to regulate the
navy yard and docks, and for other purposes The
whole subject was postponed till Monday, and the
House went into Committee on the Naval Appro-
priation bill
Mr.. Wilson, of Va, argued against protecting
it. He said there no necessity for an alteration
of the tariff, and defended the appropriations for
the navy.
Mr.. Howard, of Mich, contended that it was i'm
possible to raise fty-six millions from the present
tariff. He favored discriminating tariff and pro-
lection.
Mr.. Uurrie, of Ala, insisted that we must equal
ize our revenue and expenditure. There were re-
trenchment and economy on one side and enormous
/ taxes on the other, and no American Statesman
should hesitate to select the former
| Mr.. Nichols, of Ohio, avowed himself in favor Of
free trade and direct taxation. Our present evils
arise not from the tariff bills but from legislation
here stimulating speculation
Mr.. Hunters motion to meet at II o'clock was
agreed to.
Mr.. Bright announced that had he been present
last night he would have voted against Hale's
amendment.
4 joint resolution was passed, allowing the Su-
perintendent of Public Printing to buy paper in
open market, in consequence of the failure Of the
contractors to keep him supplied.
The Post Routes Bill was being taken up, when
Mr.. Yulee announced the intention of the Commit
tee to amend the bill, by increasing the rates Of
postage, and instituting other reforms, so as to
| augment the revenue of the Department six and 8
half millions of dollars.