The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-08

Subcommittee ana speaking for the other members
that matter. There had been nothing IN the action
OF the subcommittee TO Justify such representa-
ton.
RELIEF OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS
Mr.. wAsHBuRS, rep OF Wis, asked leave to have
the senate bill for the relief OF the government con-
tractors for building iron-clads taken from the
Speakers desk and referred.
Messrs. sPALDiNG and BENJAMEN, trep.) of No. Oh
jected.
THE ALASKA APPROPRIATIONS BILL.
The House at half-past two O'Clock went into CON-
mittee OF the whole, Mr.. Garfield. repl of Ohio, in
the chair the bill appropriating ST. TO pay
for the Alaska purchase, with the agreement that
till half.pa seven O'Clock this evening.
Tie debate on the Alaska bill was carried on by
Ms a. e. ahs S a1a Rau IN SS
Butler, OF Massachusetts,, in opposition to II.
Mr.. SPALpISG declared that, while he agreed most
fully with the minority OF the Committee OF Foreign
Affairs TO the constitutional right Of the House TO
Judge TO the expediency Of any treaty involving
constitutional powers he was prepared to vote for
this appropriation and would vote TO acquire the
Russ possessions in America. even II that were
still an original question. In reference to the speech
OF M Sheabarger last week, as to the impolicy
of acquiring foreign territory not contiguous to the
United states, he denied that any territory on the
American continent was to be deemed foreign to the
government OF the United states when IL sought TO
extend It's limits. He believed Il fated that the
American lag should wave over every foot Of the
continent In course OF time.
Mr.. PIKE--lncu1ing South America
Mr.. SPALDiNG-Yes, sir, including South America
He did not see how, in view OF the precedent set by
General Jackson ia reference to the French treaty
the House could refuse TO make this appropriation.
He had too much faith In the patriotism, intelligence
and good of the House TO suppose that 1t would
do any such thing.
Mr.. BUTLER, trep.) of Mass, had intended TO make
an elaborate argument against the BILL but the very
able and exhaustive report of the minority OF the
Committee on Foreign Affairs rendered II unneces-
sary for him to do do so. He contended that the
House could not with fidelity to It's constitutional
rights admit the principle claimed by the majority OF
that committee. He could get no Information from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs TO the value or
the territory, except some statements OF Bohemans
who would be dearly paid at $40 per week. aud
whose statements were covered by the impersonal
''we'--never used except by monarchs, editors and
the devil. He entered his protest against any more
extension OF the rights Of American citizenship He
did not want II extended to the inhabitants OF St
Thomas, 81. Croix, Greenland Iceland, and Alaska,
walruses and seals. They must stop somewhere
Roman citizenship had not been nnng away to the
fa-sucking people of Alaska or TO the plantan leaf
covered people OF Patagonia II they wanted foreign
territory, why not extend an American protectorate
over Greece. II the bill was 10 be passed. he would
propose an amendment TO 1t Withholding s60000 for
the payment n claims by citizens Of the United
States against the imperial government OF RusNa re.
fefring particularly To the claim Of the heirs Of b.
W. PerkiDs fQ munitions furnished dnrina Ve
CrimeaD waa