The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-06
xLI1D CONGRESS.
SENATE.


Sayeral petions were presented.
bill was introduced prohibiting the manu-
tacture and sale of liquors in the District of
Columbia
A resolution was adopted that the Secretary
OF war furnish lists of retired officers.
A resolution was adopted requesting infor-
nation from the President relative to the meas
ures of England and other governments to sup
press the slave trade on the coast of Africa
Mr.. Sumner asked to be excused from serving
on any committees, under instructions from his
physicians.
Mr.. Cameron gave notice that he should call
up at an early day the French spolation bill
The bill endowing National Colleges was call
ed up.
Mr.. Morrill, made speech in its favor.
The further consideration of the bill was
postponed one week. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Several petitions and bills were introduced
and referred, including bill Incorporating a
United States Bank with capital of $100, 000,-
600; and one giving the widow OF Gen. Mead
pension of $4,000 year.
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts,, from the Ways
and Means Committee, reported bill for the
relief of the sufferers by the fire in Boston, al
lowing drawback on all material imported
into the port and district OF Boston and Charles
town to be used and actually used in the con-
structon and completion OF buildings destroyed
in the fire Of the 9th and 10th of November last,
such drawbacks to be also allowed on imported
goods in warehouses OF the day that that act
goes into effect The act to be in operation for
one wear. He briefly explained and advocated
the bill, stating that it correspondent with like
bill for Chicago at the last session, save that it
did not, as that bill did, except lumber.
Mr.. Peters, of Maine, remarked that although
the admission of lumber free of duty, and al
though the city of Bangor, in his district, lost
through its insurance companies more in pro-
portion than Boston did, he would not make
any opposition to the bill.
Mr. Conger of Michigan, said that following
the lead of the gentleman flom Maine (Peters)
he would not antagonze the bill in the interest
of the lumber producing States. Still he
thought with the same proprety, manufactured
goods, such as are produced IN Massachusetts,,
might be admitted free of duty in Michigan.
Mr.. Dawes replied that the two cases were
very different in principle. The difference lay
in the misfortune which justified the bill.
The discussion was further continued by
Messrs. Lynch of Maine Maynard Of Tonnes
see, Farnsworth of Illinois, and Niblack of In
diana. The bill was then passed unanimously.
The bill providing war vessels for the navy
was then considered.
Mr. Potter, of New York, showed it was i'm
possible for small vessels of five hundred tons
to carry ten heavy guns, and if vessels were
built large enough to carry such a battery they
would have to be over two thousand tons and
would cost nearly million dollars each.
Mr. Cox, of New York, favored the building
OF SIX vessels Nv priFdse contract, ana tnIeo Ill
the Navy Yards, but would have this done I'M
der better safeguards and provisions than were
contained in the present bill to ensure safety
from corruption. He referred sarcastically to
the naval appropriation last year which was
used for employing men before election who
were discharged to starve and freeze after cleo
ton. He also opposed the bill because the
country did not aspire to be great military
or naval power The army and navy are now
on peace footing and could be further reduced
-, - ,ock Id
States was to be found not in great standing
army or navy, but effectually exists in the con-
crete power of mighty nation. What was of
more Importance, was the reform of existing
scandalous laws affecting our relations with
other nations, so there could be built up a
great and powerful commercial navy.
Mr.. Coghlan opposed and Mr.. Randall sup
| ported the amendment to have half the vessels
| built in private yards. The discussion was con-
tinued by Messrs. Archer, L. Myers, Lynch,
Hale and Scofield, all in favor of the bill, Mr..
| Hale defending the Navy Department from the
aspersions cast upon it, and Mr. Schofeld, chair
man of the Naval Committee, nrging that all
vessels could be constructed in the navy yards
sooner and better than in private yards
Mr.. Garfield of Ohio, offered an amendment
providing that no contract or order for construc-
| ton of these vessels be made till full detailed
| estimates were submitted to Congress, and ap-
| preparations made therefor.
Mr.. Sargent, of California, opposed the
y,
Mr.. Shellabarger, of Ohio, favored the con-
structon of vessels carrying less than six guns
as more effective in enforcing the neutrality
laws for which he stated on the authority of
the Secretary of the Treasury, resort had in
every instance been had to the revenue cutter
| service.
Mr. Myers, of Pennsylvania, said the bill
| gave the Secretary full authority to build these
ships No doubt six or seven of them would be
built in the navy yards, but it would still be OPP
tional for the Secretary to build several at pri-
| vate yards. This distinction he was willing to
| give, but above all he wanted the ships built,
and it would be subject of congratulation that
| this necessary project would give employment
to thousands of mechanics and laborers.
Mr. Beck, of Kentucky, opposed the bill on
| the ground that moneys heretofore appropriate
ed for such purposes had boon spent On worth
less ships All of which were sold in the past
five years in ways that Congress knew nothing
Of and even to the lowest instead of the high
est bidder. He didn't know but these ten YES
sells would be declared unfit for service and sold
before they had been built year.
Mr. Kerr OF Indiana, urged the postponing
| of the bill as the House was not in possession
of information to act intelligently, for the re-
port of the Secretary of the Navy was extreme
| ly and diSreputabiy void of information.
| The House, under the operation of the pre-
vious question, agreed II to So to Mr.. Eales
amendment requiring half of the vessels to be
built in private yards; and Mr. Banks amend
ment making provision as to the number of
| guns that they do not exceed ten to Mr. Gar
fields amendment requiring that plans and es-
Inmates be submitted to Congress and appropri-
alton made before the work was commenced
and to Mr.. Cox's amendment the number of
vessels to be constructed from ten to six guns,
the latter by vote of 104 to 81. The bill as
amended passed.
A motion to adjourn to Monday was defeat.
ed. Adjourned