The Portland daily press., 1868-04-07
XLth CONGRESS Second Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON March 6-Mr. Wilson intro
duced bill to relieve The political disabilities
of certain citizens of Georgia. Referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Fessenden called up the joint resolution
to authorize the Secretary of State to adjust
certain claims, and direct the payment out of
the indemnity received from the Japenese gov
eminent OF certain amounts for damage sus-
tanned by the steamer Monitor at the hands of
the Japenese ftrts.
Some discussion ensued; some Senators
holding that the owners of other vessels had
equally merltorious claims; but the resolution
passed without amendment.
The Chair stated that the special order was
the resolution to admit to seat on the floor
the reporter OF the Associated Press.
By the consent of Mr. Anthony and at the
suggestion of Mr. Morrill, of Maine. the reso-
luton was temporarily laid aside and the naval
appropriation bill was taken up. The ques-
ton was on the amendment providing for the
enlistment of 1850 apprentices and boys, ex-
elusive OF the $500 able seamen now authoriz-
ed.
Mr.. Conkling said he had made an inyesti
CATION since the subject was last under consid-
GRAFTON, and ascertained that instead of $500
as was claimed by the chairman of the COM
mttee, there had been in the navy before the
war 7oOO men in 1850 and 1000 in 1860 1t had
oeen impossible to learn what the number of
boys bad been, but he was assured it had not
been as large as stated. He advocated restrict
ing the number as provided originally in the
Dill; that the $500 be made to include appren-
tices and boys.
M. Grimes quoted from the act of March 3
1857, authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to
enlist 5000 seamen, and stated that since the
passage OF the act of 1809 there had been no
limit to the enlistment of boys. He took oc-
casion to contradict the statement frequently
made, before presenting petition for the re-
duction of the navy, that the navy numbered
103 vessels, and in that number they had in
cluded coal barges, tenders, dismantled hnlks,
&c. He explained the apprentice system, be-
fore discussed, saying he had himself drawn
up the section providing for apprentices, desig-
mating that it was intended to include boys
He argued that it was necessary to keep the
navy up to respectable footing in order to
meet any emergency.
Mr.. Conkling said according to the state
ment, in the navy as it stands, swollen by the
war, there are now GIG apprentices. and boys,
and no more.
Mr.. Grimes asked if the Senator claimed
tnat there are as many men now as before the
war.
Mr.. Conkling replied, the present number is
II $50 seamen, and proceeded to argue that the
number before the was 1000. The proposed re-
ductIon to $500 will leave ample force, and it
will be time enough to meet emergencies when
they arise.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, said the committee
had adhered to the standard provided by law,
OF $500 effective men, and the boys in addition;
then they had provided for the number of APP
prentices authorized by law.
MIR; Edmunds advocated going back to the
standard of 1860, which, he argued was $500,
including boys and apprentices.
Mr.. Grimes explained that the service re-
CURED more men because of the more general
introduction of steam vessels, and the necessa-
ry employment of engineers, coal beavers &c.
Some discussion followed between Messrs.
Crimes, Edmunds and CONFESS, as to whether
an increase was rendered necessary.
Mr.. Grimes held that the amendment of the
committee SIMPLY increased the number of the
force of the navy 500, under the apprentice
law.
The amendment of the committee was agreed
to.
Mr.. Conkling moved to amend by making
the number, exclusive of apprentices and boys,
75O0 instead of $500.
Mr.. Sherman was of the opinion that men
thus employed added as much to the effective
ness of the service as an equal number added
to sailing vessels. He was in favor of testing
the practicability of reducing the navy; if 1900
men maintained the honor of the navy before
the war, $500 should be enough now
Mr.. Conkling took the same view
Mr.. Grimes pointed out that our extended
commerce required more effectiveness in the
navy.
After further discussion Mr.. Conkling's
amendment was agreed to-23 to 90
On motion of Mr.. Morrill, OF Maine, an
amendment allowing three, instead OF two
watchmeA at the Naval Observatory; and one
increasing from $4,000 to 100000 the appro-
priation for the civil establis hments under the
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery at the seve-
raj navy hospitals and yards were adopted.
Mr.. Sherman offered the following as an adj
ditional section: That all unexpended balan-
ces existing on the LIST of July next, under any
OF the several heads of appropriations provided
for IN this act, shall be carried to the surplus
fund, unless the same is necessary to pay ex-
penditures made during the fiscal year, or un-
less the same is necessary to execute contracts
made before said date.
Mr.. CONFESS opposed the amendment say
ing he had been informed by the Secretary Of
War that with this provision in the army APP
preparation bill it would be impossible to car
ry out that Department.
Mr.. Sherman had heard that bugaboo be-
fore. There was not the slightest weight in it,
He considered it necessary that Congress re-
tain the control over these balances so no
money can be drawn from the Treasury unless
In pursuance OF law, and he thought it unwise
to leave such discretion in the hands of the
head of any department, the provision not
commencing till the 1st OF July next, when
the next annual appropriation comes in. He
pointed out that they could connect with a
new balance sheet.
After further debate the amendment was
agreed to.
Mr. Sherman offered another amendment,
directing the Secretary OF the Treasury i'll his
next annual message to state all balances of
appropriations made during the present ses-
sion, for each branch of the public service, and
remaining unexpended ON the LIST of July next,
showing the amounts necessary to execute
contracts or pay expenditures on each of such
balances. Adopted.
The bill having passed in Committee of the
Whole, and being before the Senate, Mr..
Howe asked separate vote on the amendment
increasing the appropriation for the civil SER
vice and the establishment of naval hospitals,
which, after discussion, was agreed to-
Mr.. Drake asked a separate vote on Mr.
Conkling's amendment, reducing the number
OF seamen to 1000.
Mr.. Hendricks asked upon what informa-
ton this change had been made, and con-
demned such legislation in the face of the
unanimous opinion of the Naval Committee.
After further debate, without action on the
amendment, the Senate adjourned.