The New York herald., 1862-01-11
House of tives.

House Of Representatives.
WASHINGTON, Jan 10, 1852.
THE SECRETARY OF WAR AND BALL g DISASTER.
The SPEAKER laid before the House letter from the Sc
cretary Of War, which he says he has the honor
acknowledge the receipt Of the resolution adopted tho
9th nst to the effect that the Of the
TO the resolution passed the second day
is not responsive and satisfactory the House. and
questing further The Secretary has now to
state that have been taken ascertain who is
responsible for the disastrous movement at Balls Bluff,
out That II Is not compatible with the public interest to
mako known those measures at the present time.
On motion of Sr. wAsnBURsE, (rep.) Of H., the
municaon referred tho Joint Committee on the
conduct Of the war.
BURIAL SOLDIERS.
On motion Of Mr.. DAWES, (rep) of Mass. the Committee
ON Military Affairs instructed TO inquire whether any
for those who have died in the Alexandria Hospital and
its vicinity.
ARMY pxrMAsERs
On motion OF Mr.. BLAKE, (rep) of Ohio, q resolution
was adopted calling for the number Of paymasers in tho
army, how many are necessary, &C. He remarked that
there 10 large number of paymasters without duties
to perform and is also ascerained that many Of them
are incompetent His desire that they shall be dis
missed.
The House resumed the consideration Of the Civil Ap
preparation bill.
Mr. STEVENS, lrep) of Pa. offered amendment appro
Treasury notes. similar item having been stricken out
several days ago by the House. Referring the debate
was 10 sho ou n ne hS AZ 'nsIe
renee to the testimony before the Contract Investigating
Committee that unfair had been resortcd for
the performance OF tho work.
Mr. DAWES, (rcp.) OF Mass, said that tho gentleman
could not expectthe people heavy taxes unless
he r Stevens) )showcda willingness and sincere desire
to out off every attempt to pundcr the treasury He
hoped the gentleman would forbear pressing this appro
praton until they could ascertain the price and proof Of
ln AnAr ItRnk
Company had already received $500 600
Mr. MORRILL,, (rep) of Vt, said that Mr.. Dawes did not
show that any ofccr Of the Treasury Department
concerned in the contract but that the AssisantSccre
Aary Ct the Treasury. Mn Harrington lied the
sury notes. lie Mr Morri advocated the amcndrncnt.
Mr. WAsHBrRNE, (rep) u ILL.,, remarked that no man
had conducted the Treasury Department bettor than Mr.
Chase, not even Alexander Hamilton. of whom Webster
said he touched the corpse of public credit, and It
sprung into life." Ono prominent point the Select Com
mttee on Contracts brought out that in connection
with an Official Of the government named Wood who at
that time occupied the position Of Commissioner Of Pub
lie Buildings and who hither as contract broker
to wiring money out Of the treasury Tho American Back
Note Company in such completely with certain par
ties that another bank note company precuded on
competing for the contract to print the Treasury notes
Mr.. BINGHAM. (rep) Of Ohio admitted with Mr. Dawes,
that the people would not be willing to pay heavy
taxes unless the treasury shah be protected from pua
DER but at the time they did not demand that
contract should be repudiaed on hearsay information
, Mr. RemAnasos opp Of H. was unwilling to vote for
duty of the House to bring TO trial and those
who have boen pundering the treasury from time b
time. lie regarded such characters equally guilty
those who endeavorlng to overthrow the govern
mcn and they should be sent to Fort Warren Fort La
ayete We can overthrow the rebels but he was afrai
the sappes and miners at work on the treasury with
bring us to bankruptcy, so that we may not be able to
sustain ourselves.
Mr.. sEDowlcK, trcp.) 1 N Y, asked Mr. Daxes
whether there was such corporation tho New Yosk
Bank Note Engraving Company
Mr.. DAWES replied that DIR. Sedgwck being from New
York. knew what there better than he (Mr Dawes)
did
Mr.. sEDGwIck further inquired whether Mr.. Orr,eby
q responsible nah?
Mr.. DAWES replied that what no had complained OF was
that fair comI etition Was not permitted.
Mr.. SrEyENs nlnent after Intellectual attempts 10
sustain it, disagreed to- and the clause apprOprang
sl00Oe0 for engraving and printing Treasury notss
stricken ont.
The committee rose when the amendments agr cod to
therein reported to the House for thor final action
Mr.. STEVENS asked yea and nay vote concunring in
the amendment striking out that appropriation, saying
il the question should be determined in the Affirmative,
selfrespcct would compel the Secretary of tine Treasury
to resign his oilae.
Mr. SEpcw,cK said if the House should concar in tho
recommendation 20 strike out the appropriation would
be on the grouad that there had been fraualent
tract between tho Secretary of the Treasury Ind the
gravcrs wha nave contracted to furnish tho The
suit mus he that the Secretary Of tho Treasury must
either rest under the mpuaton resign his Office. lie
begged me House to pause and consider the evidence be-
fore they pronounced Judgment. lie Qlotcd from the
repos Of the contract in the Committee to
show the utter nsuflcicncy Of the Testimony which IL
was sought to convict high ohcer OF the government
OF frard.
MT lfep) VI TtUl|uicO vi gent eintl
(Mr. Sedgwickl that gentleman who had spoken had
thrown the slightest imputation. the Secretary II
tho Treasury, attempted to datract from his well
earned reputation.
Mr. sgpcwrcK replied that thu rejection of the appro-
priacn could be supported on no other ground than that
the contract fraudutnt one. Ho repeated
that Mr. Ormsby, whose had been ltro-
GUced into this subject, the Representative
Of note engraving company which never had
existence. In vindj:ating Assistant Secretary
Harrington, he said hS had heard OF irresponsible,
contractors infesting cvery department of the
ment, relying upon political lavoritism and personal
porUnity in prosecuting their aims until thcy Obtain
OF kinf and then sell IL out to
who l. c able Of doing tho work. Hc understood
say that this was The way Mr.. Ormsby, with his man
Hopkins, so gbt To- obtain contract. There
Secretary Assistant Secretary had acted iapropcr y
II there any 10 believe this, justice would
quire that opportunity should be afforded for
PLANTATION.
without Further proceedings on the suhoc the House
adjourned Till Monday.