The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-04-07
CONGRESS >I0NAL PR0CEEDIN IS
Ha-fs1 r. Efftss H


regard to impeachment Tabled.
I Ramsey presented resolutions from
! the same Legislature, for the improve
] ment, Of the Mississippi River, recon 3
mended By Gen. Warren and others.
Referred
/ Cole presented petition from the
citizens of California, asking aid
for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Referred.
T. Nye introduced bill for the com
I pletion Of the branch mint, at Carson
City. Nevada. Referred
Wilsou introduced a bill to relieve
the political disabilities Of certain
citizens of Georgia. Referred to the
Judiciary Committee
Trumbull introduced bill extend
ing the provisions of the act of Feb
ruary 2lst, 1863, which allows the
United States to prosecute appeals
without giving security, to allow writs
of error, appeals or other process, on
| law, admiralty or equity, issuing from
or brought up in the Circuit Court Of
the United States, to be placed on the
calendar.
Also, a. Joint resolution directing
the Secretary Of War to issue such
Qdartermaster stores to the expedi-
tlon engaged in the exploration of the /
river Colorado, as may be necessity.
Referred to the Naval Committee
Edmunds offered a resolution asking !
the Secretary of War to inform the |
Senate what was the practice in re- |
spect to the settlement of public ac- /
counts and the issue of requisition /
therefor By the Secretary of War upon /
the Treasury prior to the passage Of |
the late act respecting the prompt set
tlement Of public accounts, and whGth-
er any defects exist under the law in
that respect. ~~, ..r.f7 J
Fessenden oalled up the joint reso-
luton to authorize the Secretary Of
State to adjust certain claims, and
direct the payment thereof. 1t directs
the payment out Of the indemnity re
ceived from the. japanese Govern
ment of a certain amount for damages
sustained by tie steamer Monitor at
Hands, Japan A discussion ensued, /
some of the Senators holding that
owners. of other vessels had equally
meritori0us claims, but the resolution
passed without amendment.
Sherman called up the bill to refund
the duties paid under protest in 1867,
on the bell imported from France,
and donated for the use of st. Mary's
Institute and Notre Dame UniveTsi-
ty, Of Indiana.
After half hours discussion on
the principle involved, several oppos-
ing the establishment of the prece-
dent, the bill passed.
The Chair then stated the speeial1
order to be the resolution to admit to
seats on the floor the reporters of the
Associated Press BY consent of au
thority thegFesolutiOu was temporarily |
laid aside and the Naval Appropria-
ton bill taken up The question was
on the amendment providing for the
enlistment, of 1,250 apprentices and
boys, exclusive of the $500 able sea-
men now authorized. .ae. ...y
COnkling and Edmunds advocated
restricting the total force to 5000, In
cludiHg apprentices and boys.
Grimes explained, aud advocated
the apprentice system, and argued it
necessary to keep up the navy to a
respectable footing, IN order to meet
any emergencies
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-
Conkling moved TO amend by max
ing the number, exclusive of appren-
tiees and boys, Z 500 instead OF $500. |
Adopted by % to 20.
On motion Of Morrill,, of Maine, an
amendment increasing from $4,000
to 100000, the appropriation for the
pay of civil establishmentsRundeF, the
bureau of medicine and surgery at the
several navy hospitals and yards.
Adopted. a,.
Sherman offered the following as
an additional section:
That all unexpended balances ex-
isting on the first Of July next, under
any of the several heads of appropri-
ations provided for in this act shall
be carried to the surplus fund, unless
same i. necessary to pay expenditures
made during the fiscal year, or unless
necessary to execute contracts made
before said date.
Conness opposed the amendment,
saying that he had been informed by
the Secretary of War that with this
provision in the army appropriation
bill, it would be impossible to carry
on that department.
Sherman had heard that bugaboo
before. There was not the slightest
weight in 1t. He considered it nee
essary for Congress to retain control
over these balances, so that no money
can be drawn from the Treasury un-
less Ia pursuance of law, and he
thought It unwise to leave the dis
cretlon to the hands Of the head of