Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-05
H0uSE,

HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Dec 4.--Mr. Roosevelt
| offered a resolution instructing the Com
mittee on the District of Columbia to re-
port the present debt of the District. In
the course of discussion Mr.. Roosevelt de-
clared his conviction that the work under
taken by the present Board of Public
Works would not be completed for less
than $20000,000.
= a motto TO refer the resolution was re-
jected by vote of ~ to 90. The resolu-
ton was then adopted.
To Mitigate the Gag RuIe.
Mr.. McCrery offered resolution for new
rule, providing that it shall not be in order
at any time TO move to suspend rules, and
pass bill or resolution until at least three
days. notica of such motion has been given
by printed notice, laid on the desk of the
members, nor until three days after such
Dill or resolution has been printed, and that
such rule shall inno case be suspended. Re-
ferred.
Eew Bills.
Bills were introduced and referred as
follows;
By Mr. Harris, of Virginia, authorizing the
Washington, Cihcicasd and 81. Louis Rail-
road Company to extend its roSd into the
District of Columbia.
By Mr.. Dorman, to provide for The speedy
construction of a ship canal, Of large capac-
ity, around the Fails of Niagara, on the
American side.
By MIR. Archer, to amend the act oftbe 9th
OF May, 1872, for abatement and repayment
Of taxes on distilled spirits in bond, de-
stroyed by casualty.
By Mr. Herr, to authorize the construction
of bridge across the Ohio river bet tween
New Albany and Louisville.
The Dilapidatsed Navy.
The House resumed consideration of the
bill 10 provide for the construction of ten
steam sloops of war. Arguments we're
made by Messrs. Kelly and Townsend, OF
Pennsylvania, in support of the bill and
the amendment requiring five of the ves-
sells to be built in private shipysrds by con-
tract, aud by Messrs. Platt, Neglsy and
| Lynch in support OF the bill and1sgainst
the amendment.
Mr.. Negley remarked that SO long as
| Spain maintained the curse Of slavery in
Cuba the present tranquil relations with
this country were liable to be disturbed at
any moment.
Mr.. Lynch advocated coupling with this
| bill one introduced by him last session and
recommended by the Secretary of the
| Treasury, to give gO' eminent aid towards
the construction Of mercantile steamers
which could be converted to government
purposes in time Of war. He did not favor
the amendment, because be thought private
! shipyards were not in condition TO con-
! struct such vessels.
Mr.. Wood, while not opposing the bill,
criticised the injudiciAl use made by the
Secretary Of the Navy Of the vessels now in
the service, alludiDg to the movements Of
| the Mediterranean squadron and TO the EN-
| p oyment of vessels TO aid in the scheme
for the acquisition of San Domingo. He
favored 10th the bill and the amendment.
Mr.. Hale advocated his amendment, con-
trastiDg the merits OF public and private
ship yards. He warned the House that if
all these vessels were built in the navy yards
they would cost SI0,000,000 instead of So,
100000, and commended that better vessels
could he built in private ship yards in q
shorter time ard with far greaEer economy
than in the navy yards.
The morning hour expired, and he bill
went over TIL tomorrow.
The vi Message-POstal Telegraph.
The House then, at 2:20 P. NJ, went into
Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Stevenson in
the chair, and distributed the Presidents an
nual message among the appropriate com
mittees.
The question of referring the subjsct Of
the postal tele graph provoked some dis
cussioD, Mr.. Wood preferTing To have 1t re
ferred to a special committee, and Messrs
Dawes and Beck fsvoring its reference "a
the Committee on Appropriations, it. haY
ing been before that committee last session
Mr.. NiOlack, member Of the Ap9rOpyi
alton Committee, regard ID the p2s.al tsls-
e. =ph mattel as one of the graves q les,
lions before Congress. Il had always beer
TO him q startling propOs itiOn, and although
ne was growing accustomed 10 il, he was
still unUecOnciled to it, and desired to bt
clsssed as an opponent 10 the measure
While he favored leaving the matter with the
Committee on Appropriations this session, ,h'
would be prepared nex1 Congress TO adyo-
cate its reference either to . select com
mittee or to some standing committee who
would have more time at its disposal than
the committee on appropriations.
Finally the matter WAS referred TO the
committee on appropriations.
The Centennial celebration was, after
discussion, referred to a select committee
of nire.
The committee rose and the House ad
journed.