Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-15

would leave that for his adversaries. He wal
about to consider practical question which
became important not through any action Of
his, but by events at home add abroad. He
then re-stated and commented upon the facts
and allegations set forth in preamble when
he spoke of the alleged discrepancies between
the sum paid by the French government and
the amount received by the United States
government.
HOUSE,.
The House went into committee on the
naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. Banks made high compliment to the
navy, and expressed the belief that the Sec
rotary would re-establish the navy In the
affections of the people. He condemned the
system OF hierocracy and favoritism, which
until recently prevailed in the navy depart
ment, and read from letter of the comman-
der OF keasarge complaining of the system,
and saying he had ceased to expect any at
tention to be paid to any request, chiefly be-
cause those who controlled affairs could not
forget that he had sunk the Alabama. The
present secretary of the navy, however, was
fast breaking up that bureau system.
Mr.. Sargent replied to the structures and
charges made yesterday by Mr.. Beck and in
reference to the sale of old material in the
navy, and said that the total amount from
that source for the last two years had gone
into the treasury. The amount received from
that source was less than g., 900 900. He
also contradicted the statement Of Mr.. Nor
gan yesterday in reference to the expenses of
the Indian department..
Mr.. Niblack commended the economy of
the committee on appropriations.
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Coughlan, Beck, Sargent, Connor and Cox.
The latter condemned the government for
lack of spirit as well as for the weakness of
the navy, and longed for that old defiance of
foreign detection which ennobled the demo-
cratic administration in the days of VIM. L.
Marcy.
The committee considered the bill by para
graphs for amendment.
MIR. hubbard of n. H., moved an amend
ment providing against the employment of
laberers in the navy yards of political motives
and against their being subjected to political
influences.
Messrs. Banks and Hale opposed the
amendment as entirely unnecessary.
Mr.. Slocum of New York said it was I'M
necessary in New England navy yards, it was
certainly necessary in Brooklyn. The
Brooklyn navy yard was run by politicians,
and if the House would give him a commit
tee of investigation he would prove it. He
would prove that the secretary of the navy
himself had gone there and extend himself
against his (Slocums) reelection to Con.
gress and that gangs of laborers were put
upon the pay rolls who did not do days
work in the navy yard, simply for political
purposes.
Mr. Banks said it was not necessary to
approve of everything done i'll New York,
but he could see no necessity for this amend
ment in regard to the Massachusetts navy
yard.
Mr.. Butler of Mass, moved as a substi-
tute for the Hubbard amendment provision
that mechanics and laborers ct the navy
yards be selected by the heads Of the various
departments in the navy yard
without the interference of any naval officer
After discussion the substitute was adopted.
Mr.. Cox Of New York then moved to
amend the substitute by inserting Hibbards
amendment slightly modified, and it was
agreed to.
The committee rose and the Speaker laid
before the House a message from the Senate
to be furnished with the testimony
of the committee of the House on the i'm
parchment of Andrew johnson, and resolu-
ton was adopted directing the clerks to furn-
ish such testimony for the use of the Senete
in the executive session.
Adjourned.