The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-18
House OF Representatives.


THE BANKRUPT LAW.
Tho SPEAKER announced tho following the special
committee on the subject Of general Bankrupt law;
Messrs. Roscoe L. Conklng, Hutchins, Thomas Of Mass
Noeli and Mcknight
HON. HENRY MAY QUALIFIED.
Mr. HENRY MAY, (Uniou) Of Md appeared and was quail
fed by taking the oath to support the constitution.
the CONTRACT INVESTIGATIONS.
Mr. HOLMAN, opp Of Ind, introduced a resolution
thorzing tho select heretofore appointed to
examine into tho War Department contracts to extend
their inquiries into all facts and circumstances Of all con-
tracts and agreements made hereafter be made prior
to the final report Of tho committee, by with any de-
parment Of the government that tho committee have
leave to sit during The at such times and places
they may deem necessary that they be empowered to
employ stenographer clerk; that tho Sergeant
Arms attend The meetings person by deputy serve
all subp@nas that the Speaker be authorized and directed
to issue subpUnas AT the request Of tho committee
cases during the session Of Congress.
qury which could be authorized ony,en the assumption
that something IS wrong. He not disposed to
tnblish an advisory aud controlling boardn eject Ia
have eight instead Of one head Of department. Thoro
nothing 20 put the Secretary Of War under the ban
Of the committee. lie opposed to rowing committee
without limitations rs to lime and place. He believed
the Secretary Of War was faithfully and honestly attending
/ to the duties Of his high and responsible Office.
Mr. Roscoe L. CosHiiSe, {rep1 Of n. Y, briefly or-
posed the resolution because principally he was opposed
| 10 rowing commission.
y
ported by direction Of the committee and had his conc
renee He argued that il implied no censure of The ad-
| minstration.
Mr. DAVIS (rep) Of Mass az a member Of tho commit.
tee said that although he had consented TO serve on
ii, yet he would not shield wh,,ewash any improper
transaction whether OF this or any other administration
The country full of rumors Of fraud and corruption and
hence an investigation was required AS the House have
expressed desire to adjourn Friday, the time must
necessarily be extended beyond the present session. Was
not better a, the facts should be inquired INTO where
| 20 WashinutOn2 thn Hons
believe the committee will not abuse their powers the
| solution ought TO be passed
Mr. EDWARDS (rep) of n H. opposed TO the reso,,.
ton and TO the object for which the committee rasod.
II would be better TO wait unti some authentic rcspon.
sibe charges made before such inquiries should DO
made they should not act on vague suggestions
| that possibly something may be wrong, especially
nj time when was necessary all the energies
Of the government to put down rebellion Besides there
was the outstanding Committee on Expenditures IN the
war department, to whom the inquiry property be.
Mr. KslioGG (rep) Of H., again urged his objection 20
the resolution on 'he ground that there specific
Mr. vAN WICK, trep) Of N Y, said there we're specific
charges OF fraud by contractors He understood without
doubt tha, within two shor, months there has been
system OF plumber which for audacy and wckedness had
never been surpassed IN this connection he referred
the excess of pay for beans, hats He charged
partment with completely, but he did say there were
men who had taken advantage Of the neccs
sly Of The times and pandered The Treasury
worth more than five or ten thousand dollars she was
chartered for ten thousand dollars month and fifty thou
SAND TO oe na Tor her IN the event OF her destruction
He would tell the House and the country that the war
Department desired an examination into this matter
Mr. KsLlosa, trep) Of Ill.,. moved to lay the resolution
| on the table
| The motion disagreed 70 by 20 agans. ~
The resolution was then adopted by yeas 81 uays a.
PAY OF THK RkSEypg Marine -
Mr. hlor, (rep} Of Mass, from the Comm,ssse % Com.
merce, rcperted bill concerning the revenue arse and
fxing the compensation thereof which, wsihoas being
! read was psssed. -
TIE Tariff BILL. -
The House then won't Committee OF She whole on
eN6effr ~
the interest on the public debt and for other purposes
Mr. VAuASDlaHAx, opp Of Ohio, offered q substi
tute-namey to revive tho tariff Of 1861 and tax ar
hcles the free list theren pcr oentu with the OK
ceEtion of tea, coee and Ere He briefly advocated
his proposition.
web known TINT tho act Of 1851, In the time Of
profound pSacc did produce sucIency Of revonpe
to defay thS exprsess Of The government In relation 10