The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-15
NEW YORK HERALD THURSDAY DECEMBER

stance IN r0tous living, treason and rebellion against
the s0ve nment and when Dy reason OF their course
repenied. he would receive them back; never would
he 30 back 10 them.
Mr.: SALISBURY said the parallel OF the prodigal
son did not hold good In one particular IN reference
10 Mr.. Drake for while the former after leaving his
fathers house. had fed on husks, like SWINE the lat
ter, since he became . prodigal, had Jared more
AN EFFICIENT NAVY.
Mr.. DRAKE then withdrew his amendment and
upon his motion I'm order to economlze time the
biil was aid aside ana the bill or the last session
ITO promote the securing OF efficient seamen Tor the
Navy OF the United States,' was substituted.
The bill provides that In addition to the number
OF men anu boys now authorized in the navy, there
shall be received annually rom all parts OF the
country not more than 500 boys from fifteen TO
seventeen years of age, who, after passing moral
prentlces until twcnty-one years old. to be known
~ Tn on apprentice and to receive such pay as
liked by the President. Upon arriving at their
majority said appren Ices, II passing the proper eA
animation, small be promoted 10 the grade oil Union
sailors either OF the Class OF seanien or orui-
nary sea.nen. The Union seamen SHAH be engine
TO promotion TO petty Offices. rating ana
position OF warrant officers. Seamen now IN tne
navy may, after i've years service, upon procuring
certiacaIss u good conduct from tnelr commanding
onlcers and passing exam nation, pe ehtiucu W
receive an appointments as Union seanien. -.
The bill passed as amended by an utlonal sec
ton giving TO non.commissioned officers, seamen,
ordinary seamen &C. hereafter enlis,ing IN tne
naval service allowance Tor clothing as ~
or may be allowed TO non commissioned 0mcers ana
privates in the army aud marine corps.
The Senate took up the calendar 81 general ana
special orders, the first in order beng the bill
approprlating $4,000 10 compensate j. Miller Best,
OF Paducan KY, a Union surgeon, for the destruc.
ton dwelling house, in 1854, by Orders oil the
In.on commander, during the rebel attack upon the
place. The general questions OF the disa Jility OF
the government to pay for private property taken
for pubic use; whether the destruction OF the pre-
misses IN The prosecution OF an act Of war was, IN
~ constitutional SENSE, their appropriation for pub
lie use, aud the peculiar features OF the case were
discussed during the remainder OF the session by
Messrs Wiley, Scott and Morton, republicans, in
favor OF the claim and by Messrs. Conkling and
Chandler. republicans, in opposition.
Mr.. CHANDLER said the principle OF the bill In
volved the payment Of claims, OF which this was
representative, amounting in the aggregate TO one
thousand millions OF dollars, one erect Of which
would be to make the Treasury bankrupt and 70 re.
pu1iale the eatIe pep6lai de0t.
MIR. WILEY argued that the practical operation,
during the war OF the principle adverted to by the
opponents OF the bill would have prevented the
creation OF any national deot. IL was virtual ac-
owledgment OF the right oil the Union armies TO
lay violent hands upon all private property, whether
IN New York, Pennsylvania or Michigan, which was
needed for government use without any obligations
upon the government 10 make restitution therefor.
hi. MoRTON, IN advocacy OF the claim, arguea
that il differed IN principle from the great batch OF
sinii CLAIMS for indemnify. without disp0sing or
the bill the senate at hali-past three Z. NJ went
into executive session, and ten minutes later adj
j0ulned.