Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-28
CONGRESSIONAL.
SATURDAY, January %.


SRNATR-Mr. Sprague introduced a bill sup.
| Elementary to the act to regulate the compen.
sation Of members Of Congress. Il gives mem.
bers IS, 000 instead of $4,000 per annum. Re.
| ferred to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Collamer, from the COMMITTEES on the
Library, reported joint resolution respecting
son, purchased by the government of his
widow some years ago. He explained the de.
lay In the publication heretofore and the ex-
penditure Of most OF the previous appropria.
ton in the preparation of the manuscript by
Mr.. Rives, Of Virginia, leaving now not suffi :
Gent funds to publish the four volumes which
they would make. The bill appropriates
$500, and was passed.
The resolution of Mr.. Riddle, calling on the
Secretary of War for a statement of all the
men furnished from each State under the sew
eral calls for troops, was taken up, and, being
amended, on motion Of Mr.. Collamer, to in
clude the time for which the men were en-
listed, was passed.
The resolution of MI Davis to amend the
thirty fourth rule of the Senate, by adding q
committee OF fl We for the investigation of cor
ruptioDs by the Government in Its offices and
departments, was taken up.
Mr Sherman said 1t was not the province of
the Senate to investigate the conduct OF Gov
eminent officers. That belonged to the House
OF Representatives. 1t was the duty of the
House to lmpeach officers and OF the Senate to
try them when impeached.
Mr. Hale said that he did not see that any
good had resulted from investigating the cor
ruptions Of the Government. Last year a COM
mittee was appointed to investigate the corrup-
tons OF the Navy Department. 1t did Its work,
and soon after the Navy Department ordered
His store in Boston was shut up, his property
and papers seized, his wife's papers seized, and
leased in less than 100000 bail. But this was
more than the legal city of Boston could stand,
and the person having been sent to Philadel-
phia for trial, parties interposed, anti the Pres
ident ordered the bsil reduced $3.50, GO0-that Is
to $4,000.
Mr.. Davis.-Does the gentleman say the man
was arrested because he exposed frau6st
Mr.. Hale.-Thats my opinion.
Mr.. Hale, proceeding, said the Navy Depart.
ment went further. 1t sent commission row.
ing about the country to find out someting
against the chairman Of the committee that in.
vestgated the frauds. They went to Charles
town to investigate, and the instructions were
to see what matters John p. Hale was inter-
actual Secretary of the Navy hadl given these
instructions, which Mr. H. read. viz:
"Some time In the spring of 1862 a lot OF ship
per ton at Portsmouth. It was refused: After
this it was put into the yard at So, 900 per ton.
Did John p. Hale have anything to do with
it, DC.
Mr.. Johnson-Do you say these instructions
were issued from the Navy Department. Do
you know who wrote them!
Mr.. Hale-I don't know the handwriting ex-
aetly, but you know am a Yankee and nave
q right to guess.
DE-. Davis-Who do you guess it was!
aMr. Hale-1 guess it was the man who Is the
actual Secretary OF the Navy.
Several Senators-Whats his name.
MI. Hale-I prefer to be little Foxy on that
subject.
HousK-This day was especially set apart
for speech. making on the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution of the United States,
to abolish slavery wherever it now exists.
Mr.. Ashley. in response to question asked
by Mr. Stiles, said it was his intention to press
vote on Tuesday.
Mr. Highly, of California, expressed his views
in favor of the amendment, and replied to
points which had been raised, that. The
ment; 2. That it is inexpedient at this time to
make it; 3. That slavery is the true condition
of the African race.