, 1872-12-05

hi. ARCHER. To amend the act Of 9th Mayr
1879, for the abatement and repayment OF ta1es
e@nu5S lied spirits in bond destroyed by cas-
7loas vpp no - oou.t.ot;on u,
u se across the Ohio River. between New
A1uaa-5' and Louisville.
| THE NAVY.
The House resumed the consideration Of tha
bill to provide for the construction Of ten steaus
sloops OF var. Arguments we're made By Messrs-
KELLY, and TOWNSEND, in support Of the
! bill, and the amendment requiring five Of tha
vessels to be built in private ship yards by con-
tract. and by Messrs. PLATT, NEGLEY, and
LYNCH, in support Of the bill and against thet
amendment.
Mr. PI4ATT stated that the intention Of the
| Navy Department Was to divide these ten vesseln
into three classes class to consist OF vessels
from 900 to 1880 tons, and to caIy from twel7a
I with eight or nine guns, and one from 500 to-
| 1000 tons, with aix or seven guns.
Mr.. NEGLEY remarked that go long as Spain;
maintained the curse Of slavery in Cuba, the
present tranquil relations Of this country Wera
] liable to be disturbed at any moment.
Alr. LYNCH advocated coupling with the bi1k
| the one introduced by him last session. and rec-
mended by the Secretary OF the Treasury. tu
give Government aid towards the construction.
Of mercantile steamers, which could be convert
ed to Government purposes in time OF war. Ha
did not favor the amendment, because he thought4
private ship-yards we're not noW in condition.
Lo COQHEluCE BQEQ TSe6Ala+
Mr.. TOWNSEND Pa) insisted that the iron.
ship-yards at Baltimore, Wilmington, and
Chester had ample facilities for building these
vessels.
Mr. WOOD, while not opposing the bill, criti-
cized the injudcious use made BY the Secretary
Of the Navy OF the vessels now in the service,
alluding to movements Of the Mediterranean
squadron and to the employment Of vessels to-
aid in the scheme for the regulation Of San
Domingo. He favored both the bill and amend
ment.
Mr.. HALE advocated his amendment, con-
trasting the merits Of public and private ship-
yards. He warned the House that if all theae
vessels we're built in the navy yards, they would
that better vessels could be built in private ship
yards in quicker time and With far greater
economy than in the navy yards.
The morning hour expired, and the bill vents
over TILL tomorrow.
The House then, at 2:2o p: m., vent into Com
mittee Of the Whole, Mr. STEVENSON in the1
Chair, and distributed the Presidents Annual
Message among the appropriate committees.
The question Of referring the subject Of
POSTAL. TELEGRAPH
provoked some discussion, LII. WOOD prefer,
ring to have it referred to 4 Special Committee,
and Messrs. DAWES and BECK faYoring itN
reference to the Committee on Appropriations,
it having been before that Committee st its 1ast@
Bession.
Mr. NIBLACK, 3 member Of the Appropria-
ton Committee regarded the postal telegraph,
matter as one Of the graYest questions beforet
Congress. It had always been to him start:
Ling proposition, and although he was growing,
accustomed to it, he was still unreconci1ed to it,
and decided to be classed as an opponent to thet
measure. While he favored leaving the matter1
with the Committee On Appropriations this ses-4
sion, he would be prepared next Congress- tot
advocate its reference either to & Select Conn.,
mittee or to some Standing Committee, who
would have more time at its disposal than tha4
Committee on Appropriations.
Finally the matter Was referred to the Com,
mittae on Appropriations.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
was, after discussion, referred to Select COM
.nittee OF nine.
The Committee rose, and the House adjourned: