The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-05
XLIID CONGRESS.

WASHINGTON, Dec 4.
Mr.. Anthony was elected President pro tenn,
and the Senate adjourned until tomorrow.
HOUSE.
A resolution was offered instructing the Dis
trist of Columbia Committee to report the pres
ent debt of the District, and what sum will be
required to finish the works in progress The
mittee of Commerce to enquire Immediately
why sunken wrecks are allowed to remain off
Sandy Hook.
Several bills were introduced and referred,
after which the bill for new war vessels was
considered.
Arguments were made by Messrs Kelley and
Townsend of Pennsylvania in support of the
BILL and an amendment requiring five of the
vessels TO be built i'll private shipyards by con-
tract, and by MessYs Plat, Negley and Lynch
in support of the bill and against the amend
ment
Mr.. Platt Of Va, stated that the intention
of the Navy Department was to divide these
ten vessels into three classes. One class to
consist Of vessels of 1000 to 1860 tons, to cary
IL to IA guns; one from 1900 to 1900 tons, with
or guns, and one from 800 to 1000 TONS, with
or guns.
Mr.. Negley of Pa, remarked that so long as
Spain maintained the curse of slavery in Cuba,
the present tranquil relations of this country
were liable to be disturbed at any moment.
Mr.. Lynch of Me-, advocated coupling with
this BILL that introduced by him at the last
session and recommended by the Secretary of
the Treasury to give government aid towards
the construction of merchantile steamers, which
could be converted to government purposes in
time of war. He did not favorthe amendment
because he thought private shpyards were not
now in a condition to construct such vessels.
Mr. Townsend of Pa, insisted that the iron
shipyards at Baltimore, Wilmington and Ches-
ter had ample facilities for building these ves-
sells.
Mr. Wood of n. Y, while not Opposing the
bill, criticised the injudlcous use made by the
Secretary of the Navy of the vessels now in
service, alluding to the movements of the Med
iterranean squadron and to the employment of
vessels to aid the acquisition of San Domingo
He favored both the bill and the amendment
Mr. Hale of Me-, advocated his amendment,
contrasting the merits of public and private
shipyards. He warned the House that if all
these vessels were built in the navy yards, they
would cost $4,000, 900 instead of $4,000 900, and
conten led that better vessels could be built in
private shipyards, in quicker time and with far
greater economy than in navy yards.
The morning hour expired and the bill went
over till to morrow.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr.. Stevenson in the chair, and dis
tributed the Presidents annual message among
the appropriate Committees. The question of
referring the subject of postal telegraph pro-
voked some discussion.
Mr. Wood of n Y, preferred to have it re-
ferred to a special committee, and Mr. Dawes
OF Mass, and Mr.. Beck of KY, favored its
reference to the Committee on Appropriations,
it having been before that Committee at the
last session.
Mr. Niblack of Ind, member of the Appro-
priation Committee, regarded the postal tcle-
graph matter as one of the gravest questions
before Congress.
Finally the matter was referred to the Com
mittee on Appropriations.
The Centennial Celebration was, after dis
cussion, referred to select Committee of nine.
The Committee rose and the House adjourned