Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-12-04
HOUSE.


Mr.. Boarman louisiana was sworn
| in.
A bill was introduced, and referred,
by Mr.. Hale to admit ship-building ma
terials free of duty.
Mr.. Kellogg (Connecticutl, bill to
repeal the tax on bank checks and
notes.
Mr.. Randall Pennsylvania, q resolu-
ton calling on the Secretary Of the Trea-
sury for information as to the law au-
thOrizing him to make an increase issue
of legal-tender notes, as was done last
October; and whether such issue was
made in legal-tender notes heretofore re-
tired or in new ones, etc.
After discussion by Messrs. Randall,
Dawes, Brooks and Garfield, the latter
stating the issue of the legal-tender notes
in October had taken the country by
surprise, the resolution was adopted.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. May
nard for the relief of the State of Ten
nessee. Referred.
Mr.. Pearce asked leave to introduce
and put on passage a bill to regulate the
payment of female employees of the
Government.
Mr.. COnger objected.
Mr.. Beck (Kentucky) asked to be and
was excused from service on the Select
Committee appointed yesterday for the
Oakes Ames investigation, on the
ground that during the canvass he had
expressed a decided opinion on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Cox took the Chair as speak
er pro teDl., and appointed Nr. Merrick
Maryland) to fill the place of Mr.. Beck
in said Committee.
Mr.. Wood offered q resolution calling
on the Secretary of War for copy of
the report of General Vincent, Assistant
Adjutant-General, on the condition of
the affairs Of the Freedmen's Bureau.
Adopted.
Mr.. SchOfield Pennsylvania from
the Committee on Naval Affairs, re-
sorted bill TO authorize the construc-
ton of ten vessels Of war, and appropri-
ating three million dollars for that pur-
pose. The vessels are to carry each ten
or more guns of large calibre, and the
hulls are to be either iron or wood, as
the Secretary of the Navy may deter
mine
Mr.. Hall (Maine) offered an amend
ment that not less than five of the ten
vessels shall be constructed in the pri-
vate yards of the United States under
contract.
Mr.. Randall PENNSYLVANIA advo-
Gated the amendment, but thought the
bill was too loosely drawn, and left too
much discretion to the Secretary Of the
Navy.
Mr.. Schofield Pennsylvania re-
replied to Mr.. Randall's structures, argu-
ing that the more restrictions placed on
the Secretary would lessen the security
there would be to have the work prop
erly done.
Mr.. Potter New York; asked
to what use these vessels were to
be applied.
Mr. Schofield replied that they were
to be used to keep our squad
ron full in the different seas and for the
protection Of commerce.
Mr.. Shellabarger (OhiO) gave it
as his judgment that a syste m
ought to be initiated which
would be harmonious in plan, in
idea and in ultimate consummation. He
believed il wise to put upon the seas
class of vessels that would have speed,
have size, and have adaptation for the pno-
lection of commerce. He thought it
wise to guard the limit, specify and
qualify the description Of ships to be
built.
Mr.. Schofeld remarked that the
ideas expressed by the gentleman from
Ohio corresponded with the purpose of
the committee.
Mr.. Cox New York. suggested a re-
duction of the number of vessels from
ten to five.
Mr.. Banks said he had introduced this
bill last session in anticipation of trouble
with Spain, and affairs in the Gulf of
Mexico had not improved since then.
No one knew what might occur there
any day, and it was proper to be pre-
pared for all contingencies.
Mr.. Potter inquired as TO who pro-
posed to seize these vessels.
Mr.. Schofield considered that four
hundred or five hundred tons would be
large enough, and did not suppose that
any of them would exceed one thousand
tons. Mr.. Schofield referred to Mr.. Banks
as having sympathized with the effort
to involve this country in war with
Spain.
Mr.. Banks denied that he had
ever sympathiZed with such efforts. He
had introduced the bill because the Sec
retary had declared to the members Of
the House that he was afraid events had
OcCuIItu III Tic Oul Vi 0AcNlcO which
would require this government to be
prepared to defend their commerce.
Mr.. Schofield said he was opposed to
Mr.. Haleis amendment, because the
Navy Department was prepared TO con-
struct iron vessels in the navy-yards of
New York, Boston and Washington.
The morning hour then expired, and
the bill went over to to-mOrrow.S
On motion 70 print voluminOus, docu-
ments sent to the House by the Sec
retary Of the Treasury, Mr.. Brooks made
few remarks as to the reckless extrava-
ganee in public printing. He said
his house was numbered with public
documents, which were of no use, and
gave notice that he would sellthem all
at public auction, and turn over the pro-
ceeds 10 the contingent fund of the
| House.
On motion, Mr.. Banks's bill to carry
out the fishery clauses Of the Treaty Of
Washington, was made thespecial order
for the second Tuesday in January.
The House then adjourned.
The citizens Of Northern California