The New York herald., 1862-04-17


nation, and tho alleged defacaton
Mr.. BLAIR-The Secretary furnishes an explanation
Tho estimates for hive hundred thousand men, and
the amount apropratsd for that number would pay
six or seven hundred thousand That ought to be sui
Gent explanation to any reasonable man. and Is GER
tainy better than that furnished by outside rumor,
which the gentleman brings here TO assai the admins
tration.
Mr. vnLANpIsHAx-Enough has been disclosed by in
yestigang committees OF atrocous frauds and pecua-
tioDs by the War Department justify In referring
70 charges rumors Of this character will not do
for ends Of the Of War to put the garb
OF virtuous Indignation when such charges are a nded
to- after the Of damning evidence accumulated by
ono Of the committees OF ths House.
Mr. BIAIR-This bill have nothing to do with that.
Is rendered necessary BY the excess in the number OF
men in service over what was estimated for
Mr.. VArIASDGHAKI have not criticised a. j have o
right 70 do and would do under ordinary circumstances
the act Of the administration in calling out more troops
than were authorized. Reference has been maze to
skeleton regiments There regiments in my own
district organized eight nine months ago, which still
contain less than halt the number required and whose
officers have been regularly paid do not propose to
go into investigation Of the Of the administration
on that subject They have the responsibility
the men they choose and all the money that
Congress appropates carry this and what
honesty the application Of the money have the
rights as any other member.
Mr.. BLAIR undertook TO say that such state Of facts
as was represented by Mr. Dawes could not exist In the
volunteer force.
Mr.. vAILAxDlGHAx-How about the Nineteenth regi-
ment?
Mr.. BLAm-I speaking of volunteer regiments.
The regular regiments organized entirely d
ferent principle All possible evidence OF the correct
ness of the returns supplied in the muster rolls and
pay rolls, which 10. II the gentleman from
Massachusetts, invent any scheme to mako
honest and prevent them from swearing falsely he will
do what all others have failed to do.
Mr.. DAWES would suggest this plan-that the depart
ment which sought Appropriation should give full in
formation as to its expenditure There were officers here
in Washington whose regiments the Lord knew better
whore they we're than they did They here looking
after the pay rolls and seeing there any
th0V be the w
got the first drafts the Treasury those who do the
least fighting. And now want my friend from Pennsyl
vana say. how much time he spent in investigating the
fact whether that beautiful table which he shows
number Of soldiers in the understood
him TO say that so far az Pennsylvania concerned the
table was strictly accurate. do not doubt that
Mr. VALIASDIGHAM-O, no; nobody doubts that.
Qaughtcr)
Mr. CovoDE attempted to reply, but Mr.. vallandgham
refused to yield the floor Hs yielded IL however to
Mr. ODEIL, (rep Of N. Y. who asked TO have the let
ters from the Secretary Of War and the Payaster Gene
raj read.
The letters were read Tho Secretary says that the
number Of volunteers in the service Is believed TO be
nearly hundred thousand and that by of
this increased force the whole appropriation for the
ment Of volunteers would be exhausted by the 18th Of
this month.
Mr.. MCPHERSON (rep) Of Pa, in reply to a remark OF
Mr. valandishams stated that the legislation OF last
July authorized not merely half million, but million
OF men
taton gwen to it,
further debate occurred, during which Mr.. vAI1AS.
said he did not mpeach the integrity Of Secretary
stanton and had heard against him breath OF
suspicion; but he denied the principle that any mans
honesty should be used against investigation
and IN absolute estoppel Of all inquiry.
Tho bill passed-190 against mays, Messrs Calvert
and May, both Of Maryand). Mr. vallands sham did not
vote.
EXECUTIVE APPROVAL OF DISTRICT or coIuMmA ExANc-
PATTON
message was received from the President announc-
ing that he had approved and signed the bill for the abo
ton OF slavery in the District OF Columbia with reasons
for doing
ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH COOPER.
Mr.. JOHN. announced the death OF his colleague,
Thomas B. Cooper OF the Seventh district Of Pennsyva-
mia, passing eulogium his private character but
not his public hre for that h,d just begun. In
clusion he offered the Customary resolutions Of regret
and respect.
Mr.. Kn4rekR spoke Of the deceased faithful ply.
sician devoted husband and father, and tho putcs
friend.
Mssss AvooNA and WRIGHT also respectively paid their
tributes Of respect.
The resc..0nt adopted and the House adjourned.