New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-04-12
HousE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Mr. UotMrs IN " presented the resolution OF the
Michigan Assembly and of the NewYork Legislature de-
oaring that the action Of the Senators on the
Civil Rights bill approved and requesting me New
York Representatives to vote for the O hot"ths'anu
ing the Presidents veto.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. WARNER Conn made personal explanation re-
latinc TO his absence when the vote taken on the
Civil Rights bill IL was his understanding that he was
paired with Mr. johnson OF Pennsylvania, who was alb
sent on account of sickness II he r Warmer had been
present he should have voted most cheoruy Tor the Dill
COMMERCIAL
Mr.. ELIOT Mass from the Committee on Commerce,
reported back the Senate bill to authorize the issue OF
American registers 10 the steam vessels Michigan DIS
patch and VIM X. Miner, with an amendment applying
to dozen other lake steamers. The amendment was
agreed to and the bill passed.
Mr. WAsBURS Ind and Mr.. WAsHBURN Mass and
Messrs. DELASo and THORNTON presented large num-
Der Of adverse reports from the Committee on Caims
which were laid on the table.
LAND OFFICE IN IDAHO
Mr.. briggs from the Committee on Public Lands, re-
ported back the bill TO establish Land Office in the
Territory of Idaho, which was considered and passed
ARMY PAY.
Mr.. ScHEScE, from the Committee on Military Affairs
reported back, with substitute, the bill TO regulate the
pay of the Army, and asked that 1t be postponed and
made special order for this day fortnight and until dis
posed of. 1t was so ordered
PENSION TO WILLIAM MERCER.
Mr. BUyDY Ohio offered q resolution, which was
adopted recitng that William Mercer of the County Of
Ross State Of Ohio had furnished seven and one
grandson 10 the Army of the United States during the
late Rebellion some of whom were minors, and were
killed or died in the service and that William Mercer and
his wife aged aud nfrm, and without the necessary
means TO support Themselves in their age aud instruct
ing Tie Committee Invalid Pensions to inquire into the
pr6priety Of placing the Of Wm Mercer the list
Of Invalid Pensioners.
NATIONAL BANK SHARES.
Nj. DAWES Mass.l offered a resolution which was
adopted directing the Judiciary Committee TO inquire
whether any legislation necessary 20 make the shares in
National Banks liable to attachment and levy Of execu-
fnf1 of
eTs
Survivors or THE sULTASA.
Mr.. EcKLEY Ohio offered resolution, which was
adopted instructng the Committee Military Affairs TO
inquire into the eIpedency OF allowing three months ex-
ira pay the returned prisoners who survived the fate of
the steamer Sutana the same as other returned prisoners
are allowed.
COAX"
Mr. RICE AlaneD offered resolution reeiting that
morning paper announced the fact that the Manhattan
Club Of New York proposed TO give 10 James Brooks
public dinner next Monday, and that Messrs stockton
and VOORHEES, expected 20 be present and resolving
that the Chairman Of the Committee of Elections, and
such other members of that Committee may be invited
shall be granted leave Of absence 10 attend such meeting
and dinner. I.augherl
Nj HARprsG XVI wanted 10 move an amendment, but
Mr. Rice Of Maine withdrew the resolution.
PERSONAL AGAIN.
Mr. IyGERsoLL III rose TO personal explanation and
stated that he was represented in The Baltimore american
as having engaged the other day in making datoy mo-
lions 10 prevent vote on the Civil Rights bill He dis
claimed doing So leaving the credit of such motions to
bis friend from Wisconsin Mr. Eldridge).
The SPEAKER stated that the correction OF the mistake
had appeared IN this mornings Baltimore American
RELrsF op fAYNAsrEks.
The House then proceeded the business Of the morn
rp hour the unfinished business Of the morning hour
OF Yesterday being the bill reported from the Commit
tee Of Military Affairs for the relief of Paymasters IN the
army summary OF the bill was contained III INC Iepol
OF yesterdays proceedings.
Mr :, HIScK moved to amend the bill by adding the
words And all persons whe have served as paymasers
Ia. II ln
Mr. SPAULDiSo moved to amend by proyiso that the
proper accounting officers OF the Treasury shall III the
lar Tor navtoents actually made BY them 10 the troops
- good faith and without fraudulent practice or intent
further that no Payaster General shall be salts
he'd by m and complete proof that such payments were
actually made good faith and without fraudulent pur
pose and intent. The amendment was agreed to-
Mr.. DAVIS inquired Of the Chairman Of the Committee
Military Affairs why this bill reported 10 increase
the compensation 81 PiymGsteT while the country was
buricned with Indebtedness without even so far az ap
peared any solicitation on the part Of those for whose
benefit IT designed lie thought ,here precc
dent for such legislation.
Mr. IIoTcHKss entered his potesa against the passage
Of this bill. The Office of Paymaser volunteer
Office Men entered into il knowing what the compensa
ton was be- This bill should not be passed for the
rake Of incompetent paymasers who may have lost
account of irregularities; aud as To competent
paymasters many of them had made small fortunes If not
large BY the Office.
Mr. scnlScK said that the Committee on Military Az
fairs had reported this bill actnated by sense OF pubhc
Justice toward these officers and the Committee was not
10 be deferred by any cutlery of popular eamor The
gentleman from NewYork Davis had said there was no
precedent for this bill That not so; there pre-
cedents for il. bill passed after the with Mex
leo allowing paynasters similar commission.
Mr. DAVIS thought that as that was sin Of commits
sion, should be followed by the sin of omission.
Mr.. ScHEscK-Then you back out from your first
position that there was no precedent for this bill
Mr.. DAWSON, certainly.
Mr.. LEIJLoyp inquired whether any calculation had
been made TO ascertain how much this bill would draw
from the Treasury
Mr. ScnEScK replied that he had, but could not now
give the precise figures lie explained that when pay
ments were made in the field the march, to troops
anywhere in the front they were made especially in the
first wears the war; without experience in the mode OF
business either at Washington or in the field They
made without forms sufficient TO instruct advise and
lead those paynasers to an exact and precise perform
ance Of their duties that they might avoid risks The
consequence that every paymaser so far from max
ing fortune had been left with soppagc against his
counts because Of normalty These oppages amounted
the aggregate TO 900 each for the first half of the
They not made account Of any default but
because soldiers were permitted to sign payrols by max
ing a cross without witness
Mr.. DARLING inquired how many psymasters there had
been in the army.
Mr. scHEScK replied that there had been some 500 or
COO
Mr.. DARLISG asked what would be the largest amount
paid 10 any paymaster under this law.
Mr.. SCHENcx replied that II was limited to 81 900 per
annum during the war.
Mr.. DAZZLING calculated that each paymaster would
have 600 that would require aggregate sum of
500 oOo He asked why naval Paylnasiers were not in;
Majors and received about g. 900 year. They had
been able to keep fast horses and perhaps fast other things
ILaughterl Large amount of Government funds, held
by these men, had been used for specializing purposes
The naval paymasters, on the other hand, had gone
through the perls of war; and received only Al 400 per
annum. Their responsibilities had been quite great
and their personal risk great deal more. He willing
usdcc done to all, and did not wish to any class
legislation.
Mr. ScnEScK replied that nothing connected with the
navy had been referred To the Committee on Military
Affairs. To show the difficulties under which army pay
masters had abored he sent up, and had read by the
Clerk letter from Of those officers, detailing the
official Of the position lie did not pretend that O
paymaster, receiving the compensation Of major
not well enough paid his duties under ordinary cir