The New York herald., 1868-04-07


diet the statement frequently made by those present
ing petitions for the reduction OF the navy that the
navy numbered 103 vessels. In that number they
had included coal barges. tenders, dsmanted hulks,
&c. He explained the apprentice system, before dis
cussed saving that he had himself drawn up the sec
tion providing for apprentices, denying that It was
intended to Include boys. He argued that 1t was
necessary to keep the navy up to respectable foot
Mr.. CoNKLINa said that according to the statement
In the navy as 1t stands swollen by the war, there
are now 9ls apprentices and boys and no more.
Mr.. GRIMES asked il this senator claimed that there
are ~ many men now AZ before the war;
Mr: CoNKLlNd replied that the present number Is
II, 500 seamen and proceeded to argue that the
number before the war having been 7,600 the pro-
posed reduction to $500 will leave an ample force,
ana Una. VIII be time enough to meet emergencies
Mr.. MORRILL,, OF Me-. said the committee had adj
effective men, and the boys In addition Then they
would have provided for the number OF apprentices
authorized by law.
Mr.. EDMuNDs advocated going back to the standard
OF isoo WHICH he argued, was $500, Including boys
Mr.. GRIMES explained that the service required
more men, because Of the more general introduction
OF steam vessels and the necessary employment OF
engineers, coal heavers &c.
Some discussion followed between Messrs Grimes,
Edmunds and Conness as ~ whether an increase was
thereby rendered necessary.
Mr. GRIMES held that the amendment OF the conl-
mittee simply increased the number OF the force OF
the navy I'VE hundred and nlnety-six under the Ap-
prentice law.
The amendment OF the committee was agreed to.
Mr.. CoNKIING moved to amend by making the
NUMBER, exclusive OF apprentices and boys, seven
thousand i've hundred instead of eight thousand hve
hundred.
Mr.. SHERMAN was OF opinion that men thus enl-
pOyed added as much to the effectiveness OF the SER
vice as an equal number added to sailing vessels.
He was In favor of testing the practicability OF re.
ducing the navy. II seven thousand six hundred
maintained the honor OF the navy before the war
eight thousand five hundred should be enough now.
Mr.. CoRBErT, rep.) Of oregon, took the same view.
merce required more effectiveness in the navy.
After further discussion the a~aendment OF Mr..
Conkng was agreed tO-23 to 20.
On motion OF Mr.. MORRILL,, OF Me- an amendment
allowing three instead OF two watchmen at the Naval
Observatory, and one increasing from $32,O 600 to
ment under the bureau Of Medicine and surgery at
the several navy hospitals and yards were adopted.
Mr.. SHERMAN offered the following as an additional
section,-
That all unexpended balances existing the lst Of July
% ss nser n Of these " heads Is Of &
less the same to pay made during
tracts made before said date
Mr.. CoNNEss, rep.) OF CAL, opposed the amend
ment, saying ne had been informed by the Secretary
OF War that with this provision In the Army Appro
pfaton bnl 1t would be impossible TO carry on that
department.
There was not the slightest weight in IT,. lie consd
cred 1t necessary that Congress should retain con-
troll over these balances so that no money can be
drawn from the Treasury unless In pursuance OF law
and he thought 1t unwse to leave such discretion
in the hands OF the head Of any department. the
provision moi commencing until the 1s of July next
when the next annual appropriation comes in. He
pointed out that they could commence with new
balance sheet.
Mr.. TRUMBULL was In favor of the proposition,
but thought it should be provided in separate bill
Mr.. FEssENDEN had not sufficient information to
warrant him in voting for the amendment, while he
was perfectly willing that the large war balances
shall be carried into the Treasury; but he said that
expenditures made for year cannot be expended
within that year: that contracts would be made or
debts incurred which could not be seen, and there
fore the amendment would be of no practical value.
He thought II would be unsafe without consultation
with the heads OF the departments.
Mr.. GRIMES read letter received by him from the
Secretary OF the Navy, expressing the opinion that
great confusion In the accounts OF the department
would result nom such provision as well rs the
aud that trouble would be experienced in the pay
ment of men returning from long cruise.
MIR. SHERMAN replied that the accounts I'm such
cases were carried forward from year 10 year, and
thDught no trouble would come from that source.
More debate followed, whercupon the amendment
Mr.. SHERMAN ofrcred another amendment direct
ing the Secretary OF the Treasury in his next annual
made during the present session for each branch OF
the public service and remaining uncxpended on the
| lst OF July next, showing also the amounts neces-
eary to execute contracts or pay expenditures on
Sfch Of such balances. Adopted
! The bill then passed In Committee Of the Whole,
| and being before the Senate, Mr.. HOWE, Qcp.) OF
l Wis., asked a separate vote on the amendment In
| creasing the appropriation for the civil establish
ment Of naval hospitals, which, after discussion, was
Mr.. DRAKE, rcp.) Of Mo-, askcds separate vote on
Mr.. Conkling's amendment reducing the number OF
Mr.. HENDRICKS, (dem) of Ind, asked upon what
| Information this change had been made, and con-
demned such legislation In the face Of the unani-
| nous opinion Of the Naval Committee.
| Mr.. CoNKLING said the House having passed bill
which cut down the men In the navy $50 below the
number al which they fixed In the bill, now, he
thought, in view OF the facts shown In regard to the
number before the war, &C.. and which he again re-
counted that they had moi acted upon insufficient in
formation.
After further debate without action the am nd
ment. on motion Of Mr. RAMSEY OF five O'Clock the
Senate adjourned.