Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-12
THURSDAY, December -


MIR. Howard presented the memorial of 10.
seph Riley and other assistant engineers in the
revenue service, asking that Commissions be
Issued TO them, and their appointment be SUBJ
Iect to confirmation by the Senate, as other Of
neers OF the navy; also, that such Iegisl slation
oe enacted as VIII secure 10 them a fair share
" " me me o,s.Iioauon OF prize money. Referred
mr. sherman, from the Committee on FL
nance, reported fayorably the House bill ex-
empnng raw cotton from the internal revenue
MI. Howard, from the Committee on Mill
tary Ahairs, reported favorably the bill grant.
ing the right OF way thro ugh the United States
property at West Point 10 the Hudson River
passed.
Mr. Patterson, from the Rstrenchment
Committee. reported bill limiting the con-
tracts Tor stationery and other supplies for the
Executive departments TO one year, W whiie the
present unsettled condition Of prices remains
MI. .Nye introduced bill to amend the yari-
Gus acts establishing the Navy Department OF
Naval Affairs. -
Mr.. Sherman called Ilp the bill providing
mat all moneys accruing from the sale of can
tured and abandoned property, now in the
hanas OF the Treasurer Of the United States,
snail be covered by warrant into the Treasury
ana mol 70 be draw n thence unless by author
ity OF Congress.
Mr.. Edmunds made a further explanation
IN lustihcauon OF the action Of Secretaries
ing claims from the former owners of this
property, which had been done under the ad-
vice OF the Secretary Of The Treasury.
MT. tessenden thought there had been a
great Misunderstanding u regard to the man
agement OF the property, and that misunder
siahoing had been aggravated by the talk of
Parles outside many Of whom had been dis.
appointed at the disposition made OF it, The
~noie mater was ore OF great concern to the
secretary. This property was scattered ali
over the Confederate States. some of il in En-
of
millions. During his MIR. F.'s) snort incum.
bency of the Department, eight months this
property Lad been source OF the greatest
embarrassment, and he was informed by The
to him. 1If0-f,i p ~ = 80
The act OF 1853 certainly gave the Secretary
discretionary power. A great deal of this
property was seized which was not aban
doned, many Of the ofiicers of the Government
seiIng property wherever they could and il,
abandoned. Afterwards parties came forward
with proofs Of loyalty, and that the property
had not been abandoned by them; and Mr.
Chase, acting under advice Of the Solicitor.
took the ground that II was within his prov
lnee to decide whether the property was aban.
doped. 49, fI Itsa.i.0 q as5 :" = =
Mr.. r concluded by arguing against the poll.
cy necessity of passing the bill. There are
claims for fifteen to twenty millions now pend.
Ing in the Court Of Claims on account Of this
captured property. Hs however, had no OBJ
would 30 great injustice to the claimants, and
also the ofncers, including the Secretary hinn-
self, who had been on account Of them He
marks Of the senator from Illinois mi. Trum.
buli) yesterday. The vexations and troubles
to which the Secretary has been subject was
enough 70 drive man crazy. He had endeay
MI. Chase had, and 20 far - the Sscretsry was
concerned ~ (Mr. T. j belived thaA 10 had done
nothing but what should entitle hin to the
M. sherman said when this bill came from
the House and was referred To the Finance
Committees he had been appointed spb-com.
mitteo e INQUIRE into Il, and he haa found tllat
$24, 100000 haA been returned TO claimants. the
baiancas With the exception Of some Sl. .aOO.oCO.
had been swallowed up By expenses; 100000