Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-18
.9g Telegraph,
Reported Exclusively for the Daily
Intelligencer.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, July L


law Messrs. Roscoe, Coukling, Hutchins.
Thomas, OF Mass, Noell aud Mcknight.
Henry May, of Nd, appeared aud was
qualified by taking the usual oath to sup
port the Constitution
Alr. Holman, of Ky, introduced reso-
luton authorizing the Select Committee
heretofore appointed, to examine into the
War Department contracts to extend their
in 1uiries into the facts and circumstances
of all contracts and agreements made or
hereafter to be made, prior to a final of the
Committee by or with any department OF
the Government; that the Committee have
leave TO sit during the recess ut such times
and places as they may deem necessary,
and that they be empowered to employ 81
stenographer or clerk that the Sergeant
alarms attend the meetings in person or
by deputy, to serve all subpRnas; that the
Speaker be authorized and directed TO is
sue subpenas ut the request Of the Com
m'ttee, as in cases during the session of
Congress.
Mr.. Kellogg, of ILL.,, opposed the extern
sion of the inquiry, which could be author
lied only on the assumption that some-
thing is wrong. He was not disposed to
establish an advisory and controlling board,
in effect TO have eight instead OF one head
of department. There WAS nothing to
warrant putting the Secretary of War IN
der the ban of the committee. He was OPP
koscd TO rowing committee without limi-
tation as to time and place. He believed
that the Secretary of War was faithfully
and honestly attending to the duties of his
high and responsible office.
Mr.. Roscoe Conkling. of n. Y, briefly
opposed the resolutions, principally be-
cause he WIS inverse to the appointment of
a rowing committee.
Mr. Holman. of Ind, said the resolution
was reported by direction of the Commit
tee and had his concurrence. He argued
that it implied no censure of the Admins
trltion.
Mr. Dawes, of Mass, as member of
the Committee, said although he had not
consented TO serve on it, yet he would not
shield or whitewash any improper trans
action, whether of this or any other Adj
ministration. The country Is full of ru-
mors and hence requires Investigation
As the House has expressed the desire to
adjourn on Friday, the time for iuvestiga-
ton must necessarily Ge extended heyond
the present session. Was it not better that
the facts should he inquired into where the
contracts had been made, rather than ut
great expense and trouble, bring the wit
ncsses TO Washington? Ii the House be-
lieve that the committee will not abuse
their power, the resolution ought to be
passed.
Mr. Edwards, of N. H., was opposed to
the resolution and to the object for which
The committee was raised. 1t would be
better 10 wait until some authentic or re-
SpOnsible charges were made, before such
inquiries should be made. They should
not act on vague suggestions that possibly
something may be wrong, especially at u
time when it WAS necessary to exert ull the
energies of the Government to put down
the rebellion Besides, there was nm out
standing committee on the expenditures of
the War Department, to whom the inquiry
properly belonged
Mr. Kellogg again urged his objection TO
the resolution, on the ground that there
were no specific charges.
Mr. Van Wyck, of n. Y, said there
y ere specific charges of fraud by contrnc
tors He understood tnnt, without doubt,
within two short months, there had been
system of plumber which, for audacity and
wickedness, had never been surpassed in
this connection He referred TO the excess
sive pay for beef, hats, etc. He charged no
DHhlrtment with completely, but he did
81 here were men who had taken advhn-
tage of the necessities of the times, and
plnndered the Treasury.
The resolution was passed-yeas 81,
nays ~.
A bill from the Committee on Com
merce, fixing the compensation of officers
of the revenue marine, was passed.
The House went into committee on the
tariff Jill
The House then went into committee on
a bill to provide for an increase of the rev.
enue from imports, TO pay the interest on
the public debt and for other purposes.
Mr.. ynlInndighnm, of Ohio, offered
substitute, namely, to revise the tariff act
of 1850, and to tax the.articles in the free
list therein, ten per centam, with the ex-
ception of tea, coffee, fire arms, ETC., for
the loyal States. He briefly advocated his
proposition.
Mr.. Stevens, Of Pa, opposed the substi-
tate, for it was well known that the act of
1851, even in time of profound peace, did
not produce IL sufficient revenue to defray
the expenses ofthe Government. In relation
TO duties on tea and coffee, as proposed in
the bill under consideration, they would
not he continued beyond the eXigency
which now demands them. He had no
doubt that the people would not object to
these duties during this righteous struggle
to preserve the nation which has protected
them.
Mr.. Covode, of Pa, opposed the tax on
sugar, contending, from the amount on
hand, that the Government would derive
no revenue from it during the present war.
The holders themselves would be only
benefited.
Mr. Cox moved to strike ont the tax on
tea 10 cents, and on coffee 5 cents per
pound.
Mr.. Morrill,, of VT. said he would vote
for ;he bill, although it did not meet his
cordial support.
without concluding action on the bill
the Committee rose. Adjourned.
SexATE.-Mr. Latham, of CAL, intro
luced Il Lill TO procure contracts for the
speedy transmission of munitions of war