The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-06
CONGRESS.
WARRINGTON, December 8.
HOUSE.

eXchequer OF the United States OF America
Mr.. Myers, Of giving two thousand dol.
lars pension 70 The widow Of General
Meade.
Mr.. Harris, to allow farmers and plant,
ers TO sell leaf tobacco without restric-
ton and modifying the tax in retail
dealers.
Mr.. Taf, to sell certain lands to the Re,
publican Valley Railroad.
Mr.. Dawes reported q bill relieving the
Boston sufferers, in which a discussion
ensued, after which the bill was passed
unanimously.
The bill corresponds with like bill fol
the relief Of Chicago, save that 1t does moi
except lumber.
The House then resumed the consider.
alton Of the bill providing for ten sloops
OF war.
Mr.. Potter contended that It was not
practicable for vessels Of 800 or 600 tons 70
carry ten large guns; that the statement
made by Mr.. Scofeld, Chairman Of the
Naval Committee, was not correct, but
that the statement made by Mr.. Pratt that
vessels be from 1900 to 1000 tons was
nearer the mark. Such vessels could not
be built for anything like the sum men,
toned. Such vessels for war purposes
would cost from 500, 900 to 100000.
He believed that the cost oil these vessels
would approach one million for each one.
he contended that the. House was entitled
TO much better information than It had
received on the subject, and to have q
matured place submitted for the creation
OF navy before being called upon to vote
for this bill.
Mr.. Cox argued that Hale and Scofeld
had confessed that the plan each proposed
for building ships was a vicious one, dis
trusted private contracts as jobs, and the
other navy yards as prodigal and waste.
ful. Both Of the members had not laid
stress enough on matters that require re-
form. The navy yards need reform, es.
pecially as to employees and politics.
Who shall now reform the acknowledged
jobbery in private contractsg AS this
bill was an immature mskeshiit, and
something ought to be done, he favored
reducing the number Of sloops to six,
three TO be built in private yards and
three BY the navy yards, and to expert
ment with less sum until more iniorma-
ton and better plans are given.
MIR. Beck opposed the bill on the
ground that, moneys heretofore appropri-
ated Tor such purposes had been spent on
worthless ships, Al ot which had been
sold in the past five years in q way that
Congress knew nothing oil; sold to the
lowest instead OF the highest bidder, he
did not know; but these ten vessels may be
declared unfit for service and sold before
they had been built a year. 1t had been
charged in the Senate by Mr.. Edwards of
Vermont, that one of the vessels had been
sold for 81 900, which, after getting one
coat OF paint was sold again for $4,000,
in the course Of q week.
MIR. Kerr urged the postponement Of
the bill, as the House was not in posses
sion OF information to act intelligently for
the Secretary of the Navy. The report
was extremely and disreputably void OF
such information. 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 foot
ing, and could be further reduced with
advantage. The security of the United
States was to be found not in q great
standing army or navy, but efectually
exists in the concrete power of mighty
nation. What was Of more importance
was reform Of existing scandalous laws
efecting our relations with other nations,
so there could not be built UP great
commercial navy.
Mr.. Coghlan opposed and Mr.. Randall
supported the amendment to have hall Of
the vessels built in private yards.
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Archer, Myers, Lynch, Hale and Scofeld;
all in favor OF the bill. Mr. Hale defend
ing the Navy Department from the asper-
slons cast upon it, and BIr. Scofeld, chair
man Of the Naval Committee, urging that
all the vessels could be constructed In the
Navy Yards sooner and better than in
private yards.
Mr.. Garfield offered an amendment
providing that no contract or order for
the constructor OF these vessels be made
until full detailed estimates are submitted
to Congress and an appropriation made
therefor.
Mr.. Sargent opposed the amendment as
dilatory, and advocated the bill.
Mr.. Shellaberger favored the construc.
ton ofvessels carrying less than six guns,
as more effective in enforcing the neutral
ity laws, for which 1t Is stated, on the au-
thority of the Secretary OF the Treasury,
resort had In every case been had to the
revenue cutters service.
Leonard Myers said the bill gave the
Secretary full authority to build these
vessels. No doubt six or seven Of them
could be built in the navy yards, but it
would still be optional for the Secretary
to build several at private yards. This
discretion he was willing to give, but
above all he wanted the ships built, and It
would be subject of congratulatlon, and
that this necessary project would give en-
ploYment to thousands of skilled mechau-
les and laborers.
The House, under operation OF the
previous question agreed n to 55 to Mr..
Hales' amendment requiring half Of the
vessels 10 be built in private yards. To
Mr. Banks amendment making provision
as TO the guns they shall not exceed. ITO
Mr.. Garfeld's amendment requiring the
plans and estimates shall be submitted to
Congress, and the appropriation made
before the work is commenced, and TO
Mr.. Cox's amendment reducing the
number Of vessels TO be constructed
from ten to six; the latter by a vote of
104 to OF, The bill as amended was pass
ed. The motion 10 adjourn till Monday
was defeated.
Adjourned. q