Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-03-25
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
FRIDAY. March ~

SENATk--The Vice President having occa-
sion TO leave the city, the chair was oceun,.s nv
the President pro teB., Mr.. ANTHONY.
Mr.. Hamlin presented memorial of iuro-. g.,
me District OF Columbia, asking an increase of
their pay. Referred TO Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia
Mr.. Pomeroy, from Committee on Post Offices.
reported joint resolution authorizing the Post,
master General TO prescribe an earlier time for
The execution Of contracts by Successful bidders
Mr.. Conkiing presented memorial of mer-
chants and underwriters Of New York, in rels.
those claims ought not to demit the settlement
OF all political questions between Great Brita,n
and the United States, and asking the appoint-
ment OF commission TO examine and report
upon said claims. Referred to Uommittee on
Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Cole, from the Committee on Post Offices.
reported formally bin 20 increase the mail ser
wee between the United States, China and
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to reduce the
number OF ofhcers and enlisted men OF the
asn s,sS msn nnd 20 NJ their pay lis rednoes the en-
tember ist. IL authorizes the President 10
discharge any officers applying for such dis
charge before September; those having served
ances; those more than fve and fess than ten
years TO receive one and half years paw and
those less than five years, cne wears pay. IL
ALLOWS the retired list to be increased TO 500;
abolishes the Offices Of General and Lieutenant
General when vacated by the present ipcum-
bents; reduces the number of major generals 70
three and brigadier generals TO six when the
present incumbents vacate. 1t abolishes reci-
mental commissaTy of cavalry, regimeptal
commissary sergeants, hospital stewards, and
veterinary surgeons. IL provides fer the retire
ment OF tnef cient officers; allows officers on the
retired list to accept civil Offices. and adopts tbe
house payrbill with slight modiicationsl The
biIl was referred TO the Committee on Military
Mr.. Howard called UP the bin to fix the mint
OF junction OF the Union Pacific and Central
racine railroads, when the amendments re-
poIted by the committee were agreed to, and
Mr., Kellogg called up the joint resolution
providing for the disposal of the public lands in
fiorida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi AMI
Arkansas' under the homestead laws, by pre-
empuon; which was discussed until 1 o. m
when the Senate went into executive session.
and then adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.-On motion of Mr.. Julian (Ind.) the
Committee on Public Lands was directed TO in
quire into the expediency Of extending aud ap-
plying the land laws and government surveys
over the Territory Of ALASKA.
Mr.. Poland (Vt) desired, as a question of
privilege, to present the credentials of Adolph
BAILEY, claiming to be a Representative elect
from the third Louisiana district and asked thai
ne pe admitted to his seat as having the prisaa
Mr.. Paine made the point OF order that thi,
matter was now in the hands of the Election
committee by order of the House, and that con-
The Speaker sustained the point of order.
Mr.. Hale lMe.,l offered bill to secure prize
money to the officers and crew of the United
States steamer Kearsarge. Referred to Com
mittee on Naval Affairs.
On motion Of Mr.. Cox, (N. Y.,) the Committee
on Judiciary was directed TO inquire into the
error to the courts of the United States i'm crimi
nal cases; allowing peremptory challenges 10
persons accused; and allowing dcfcndapts to
''ia. n. Randall K h 1Ya Fa 5fiha6 ihsi6Souceo NJ,
late the manner of paying pensions. Referred
to Committee on Pensions.
hour to the consideration of reports of a nriya,s
nature from the Committee on Claims
A number OF bills were disposed of.
Inc committee reported adversely upon the
claim OF James Crutchett, and also upon that of
henry weldon asking compensation for stores
burned at Gaines Hill during the war
lending consideration Of further reports the
Mr.. Randall Pa rising to question of priv
ilege, sent to the Clerks desk and had read
letter from Hon: w. Z. Lehman, Mr.. RandaIl's
TO MI. kelley's speech yesterday in relation TO
the sale of cadetships, and saws he Is reported As
saving that bis sKslleysl RTsdecssseTs and his
Mr. Lehman utterly denies that he was engaged
IN the infamous business. Mr.. Randall, com
mentlng on the letter said Mr.. Lehman had mis-
apprehended Mr.. kelley's speech, as the latter
had not said that his colleagues we're engaged i'm
the business, but had referred only to his pre-
uscessOrs OF the 4th District Mr.. Randall
thought his colleague was also mistaken there,
and that such men as Strong and Ingersoll. who
had represented the district, had never engaged
in the sale Of cadetships.
MT. Kelley wes glad to except the names
mentioned, and he also stated that he made no
illusion to any of his colleagues, but had alluded
particularly to his immediate predecessor, who
Told him that he had sold cadetships as among
his perquisites, and that enabled him TO axe ol,f
his salary as Congressman. Mr. Kelley added
that there were gentlemen on this side of the
House who aad letters accusing him (KelIeyl on
having sold a cadetship, when Il was well known
hat the sale was effected by his predecessor.
MT. woodward (Pa.1 said he had that letter
IN his possession, and when the Investigator
was ordered he handed the letter to the commits
zee. He was convinced, however that the
charge against Mr.. Kelley was wrong; that II
was al intended to be made against his [Kei-
Mr.. Kelley said he was elected in October,
lSGo, but did not take his seat until March, 1851
Between October and March q catlstship WAS
hawked about the streets of Philadelphia and
finally sold tor e1 900 by his predecessor, Mr..
Millward, who boosted of the transaction. The
cadet was charged to the District, and because
ne (Kelley) had been elected, the appointmenf
was erroneously attributed to him.
The House then resolved itself into Commit-
zee OF the Whole ON the Tariff bill.