The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-10

admitted TO be honest in intention and this
would be gross in Justice towards the Secretary
of the Navy.
Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, favored the amend
ment. The action Of the Secretary of the Navy
could not be defended.
MIR. Doolittle of Wis. said it was not for the
Senate to pass condemnation on exparte testi-
mony, taken by d COMMITTEES of the other House.
He wanted to know if any explanation had been
asked Of the Secretary?
Mr.. Sherman said Senator called on the
Preside1' and it was understood the facts were
admitted
Mr. W lkinson Of Mimi said it was ques
ton whether the Secretary of the Navy was to
he entrusted with large amount OF money
He was unwilling to do it after what had passed
He did not LeEeve Secretary W elles an honest
man, or in this emergency OF the coultry he
would not have permitted the Treasury to be
robbed Tor the purpose of enrching family con-
nection. He could not say who the man was or
what position he occupied
MIR. Doolittle said be was informed that the
Secretary of the Navy employed Mr.. Morgan in
the first place to break off fraudulent contracts
and prevent imposition, and he understood that
his employment saves $4,000. 1t was not with
the consent of the Secretary of the Navy that
any money was taken from the Treasury, He
understood that these facts were in the report
Of the Committee Of the other House.
| Mr.. Hale asked if the Secretary of the Navy
did not want the money to 90 out of the Treas
| ury, why. when he was informed Of the mat ter,
does he no, stop it instead of telling it to 60
on2
Mr.. Doolittle said he had advised the Nava
Committee, to call on the Secretary Of the Ma
Wy for an explanations
Mr. Hale said when he wanted advice he
would call for it,
Mr. Wilson of Mass by consent introduced
a resolution that the Secretary of the Navy be
requested to inform the Senate of the facts in
regard to the employment Of George B, Nor
gan to purchase vessels and the amount of COM
pensation paid him, which was agreed to. Adj
| nolsE.
Bills we're introduced for the payment of in
terest in certain cases on claims against the
Government to punish frauds on the Govern
ment and to establish an Arsenal ut Spring
field, Ill. All were appropriately referred
The House then procee ed to consider bill
abolishpg the ranking privilege.
Mr.. Colflx Of Indiana said that bill for this
porpose had several times passed the Senate,
but never before had received the sanction OF
Ni'c OSt OIuCc SOtu Ou1y ObC uiCMDCi
Of the Committee dissented. If passed, it would
save millions annually to the government. 9th
er reforms were intended. Among them is one
to collect postage on the tons Of printed matter
row carried by express companies.
Messrs Edwards Of n. H., Roscoe Conklir
and Pomroy OF N. Y, continued the debate. =
The latter offered resolution TO recommit the
bill to the Post office committee with instruc
tons to report new bill embracing the follow
ing principles
LIST. Abolishns the transmission Of all writ
ten and printed matter free Of postage exceptin!
that ordered printed by Congress.
End. Such matter shall be stamped - Public
Documents and on being ranked, shall pass
through the mail free.
Messrs. Wright. Of Penn, ana Kellogg, o
H.. opposed the bill.
Mr.. Colhx, of Ind, replied to the objection
urged against the pending measure.
Mr.. Hickman of Penn, opposed the abolition
Of the franking privilege.
Mr.. Wright M we'd to table the whole sub
ject, negative 81, against -.
Adjourned