Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-15
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TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
Forty.second Congressional Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA.
SENATE.

Mr.. Scott introduced bill providing tina
in addition to the present force of the navy
there be annually received into the service
three hundred boys between the ages of Ii
and IL years. to serve as apprentices until 2
years old, at such pay as shall be fixed by the
| President, and at the end of that time be en-
titled to examination TOR promotion to grad.
of seamen, sal seamen, however, not to bt
| in addition to the whole number allowed by
| law.
Mr. Trumbull asked Mr.. Sherman S.
| chairman of the committee on finance, wher
| the committee intended to report the House
| bill repeating the duty on coal and salt.
Mr. Sherman said that the committee wa,
ready to report the bill with amendments re.
| garding internal and external taxes as parts
| of the one great system. He thought it I'M
advisable to take up the tariff question separ-
| ately from the question of internal taxation
| and they were waiting for the House to de.
| velop somewhat further the course it intends
| to pursue on the question of taxation.
Mr.. Trumbull gave notice that tomorrow
| he would move to di, charge the committee OF
| finance from further consideration of the
House bill.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, the Senate took
up the House bill to equalize the pay of
| workingmen under the eight hour law. Mr.
Frumbuifs amendment repeating the law was
also read.
Mr.. Trumbull said no one could be more
in favor of rewarding and elevating labor
than he was. Bat this law had never had
any such effect. l. had done the working
men no good whatever, but on the contrary
done great harm by exciting unpleasant feel
ings between those employed by the govern
ment and working only eight hours, and
those working outside ten hours. He thought
it would be better for the workingmen and
the country to repeal the law.
Mr.. Morrill, of VT, favored the repeal of
the law 1t was preposterous to enact such
a law and degrading to the workingmen.
Mr.. Wilson asked Mr.. Trumbull to with
drow his amendment so as Not to embarrass
the original bill.
Mr.. Trumbull ,thcn withdrew the amend
ment.
Mr.. Ferry of Com. reviewed it. He said
he could rot vote for the house bill because
it would give the eight hour law a cons,ruc-
ton contrary to that intended by the frames
Of the law, and erroneous in itself. He re-
membered that when the eight hour bill was
in discussion, its advocates distinctly s'a e
that it was not designated to secure men ten
honrs pay for eight hours work.
Mr.. Thurman-Then what advantage VT uld
it be to workingmen.
Mr.. Ferry-Its advocates claimed that the
worlingmen would have more time for cul-
lure tl.an under the old system.
The bill was referred TO the CONN ittoe on
finance.
The Senate resumed consideration Of Mr.
Anthonys resolution to create a committee
on retrenchment with Mr.. Trumbull's amend
ment authorizing it during recess, and send
for persons and papers.
Mr.. Wilson warned his republican friends
that they were placing their party in a false
position before the country. Already there
were millions throughout the country who be-
lieved that an attempt had been made to
shield the administration, and the party has
control of it. He of course did not believe it
true. but it was very important to appear
right as well as to do right. In 1866 COM
mittee on retrenchment was organized, and
during the four years of its existence it
righted great many wrongs. But there
| still remains work for it to do. lie had no
sympathy with those who desired TO assail or
embarrass the administration. The Senate
was itself part of the government and re-
spon,ble with the President for its success
full administr ton, and the best friends Of
both are those most vigiant in seeking out
abuses, and the most active in taking meas
ures for their correction. He was in favor
! of both tie propositions. He thought it I'M
wise for the republicans of the Senate to go
before the country with a divided vote upon
this question Of retrenchment. The public
prints showed that there was general sus-
picion abroad that some of the friends of the
| administration were trying to cover up the
abuses, aad therefore he hoped there would
| be a unanimous vote for Mr.. Trumbulls res
| oluiion. SO to let the people see that the
republicans were determined to keep the ad-
| ministration pure in all departments. He
| had no sympathy with the plan of covering
our own short comings by talking of the gil
gantic swndle in New York. There were
| republican thieves as well as democratic
| thieves. The republican thief was far the
most hateful of the two to him, because he
brought disgrace upon the republican party.
But Notwithstanding the defects of the pres
| ent administration. it was far purer and more
Efficient than most of its predecessors. No
previous administrations had ever been SO
prompt in Furnishing delugency among its
officers.
Resignation of Acknowledgement Aker-
WASHINGTON, II.
| The following is the correspondence be-
tween Attorney General Alderman and Presi-
| dent Grant;
| DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
Washington, Dec. -, 1871. !
To the President:
Sir Il hereby resign the Office of Attor-
ney General of the United States, this res
ianation to take effect in accordance with the
wish which you verbally expressed to me to-
day, on the tenth day of January next.
Very respectfully,
| (Signed,) A. +. AkERMAN.
DEPARTMENT OF JUsTIcE,
Washington, Dec. Is, 1871. )
To the President:
In rendering the accompanying resignation
ofthe Office of Attorney Generalpermt me to
express my grateful sense OF kindness which
have received from you during my serving
in office and my ardent wishes for the con-
tinued success of your administration.
Very respectfully,
| (Sgned.) A. +. ALDERMAN.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
! Mashington. Dec L. ISL