The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-05
CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, December 4,

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WASHINGTON, December 4.
t@G 81. HOUSE rrsl..E
U Mr.. Roosevelt offered a resolution in.
Structing the Committee on the District
Of Columbia to report the present debt Of
the District. In the discussion Mr.. Roose.
welt declared his conviction that the work
undertaken by the present Board Of Pub
lie Works would not be completed at loss
than $50 100000.
A motion TO refer the resolution was
rejected by vote Of "a to 92. The reso.
luton was then adopted.
A resolution was adopted inshucting
the Committee on Commerce to examine
at once into the reason why sunken wrecks
in the channel OF Sandy Hook remain to
impede and imperil navigation. .,-
Mr.. McCreary offered q resolution for
q new rule providing that it shall not be
In order at any time to move to suspend
the rules and pass a bill or resolution until
at least three days notice Of such molten
has been given BY printed notices laid on
tho desks Of members, nor until three
days after such bill or resolution has been
printed; and that such rule shall in no
case be suspended. Referred.
Bills were introduced and referred as
follows: lnLs g..grs
Mr. Harris, of Virginia: Authorizing
the Washington, Cincinnati & St. Louis
Railroad Company, to extend Its road into
the District OF Columbia; Mr.. Dounan: to
provide for the speedy construction Of a
ship canal OF large capacity, around the
Falls Of Niagara on the American side;
Mr.. Archer, to amend Act 9th, of May
1872, Tor abatement and repayment Of
taxes on distilled spirits in bond, destroy
ed by casualty; Mr.. Kerr, to authorize
lle construction of bridge across the
Ohio river, between New Albany and
Louisville.
The House resumed consideration OF
the bill to provide for the construction of
ten steam sloops Of war.
Arguments were made by Kelley and
Townsend, Of Pa., in support of the bill
and amendment, requiring five of the ves-
sells to be built in private ship yards By
contract, and by Pratt, Negley and
Lynch, in support Of the bill and aga inst
the amendment. ~
Mr.. Plat stated that the intention Of
the Navy Department was TO divide those
ten vessels into three classes-one class to
consist OF vessels from 1909 to 1900 tons,
and to carry from twelve to fourteen guns;
one from 1900 to 1900 tons, with eight
or nine guns, and one from 800 to 1000
tons, with six or seven guns.
MIR. Negley argued 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. ...l
MIR. Lynch advocated coupling with
this bill the one introduced by him at the
last session, and recommended by the
Treasury, to give government aid towards
the construction Of mercantile steamers
which could be converted TO government
purposes in time of war. He did not ia.
vOr the amendment because he thought
the government ship yards were not now
in condition to constructsuch vessels.
Mr.. Townsend, Of Pa, insisted that the
iron ship yards at Baltimore, Wilmington
and Chester had ample facilities for build
ing these vessels.
Mr. Wood, while not opposing the bill,
criticized the ipjudicious use made by the
Secretary Of the Navy Of the vessels now
In service, alluling to the movements oil
the Mediterranean squadron and 10 the
employment Of vessels to aid in the
scheme for the acquisition OF San Do.
mingo. He favored both the bill and the
amendment @
Mr.. Hale advocated his amendment,
contrasting the merits of public and pri.
vate shipyards. He warned the House
that II all these vessels were built In the
navy yards, they would cost ten instead
Of three millions, and contended that
better vessels could be built in private
shipyards in quicker time and with far
grester economy than in tho navy yards.
The morning hour expired and the bill
went over till tomorrow. "Gt
The House then, at 2:20 went into
Committee Of the Wehle, (Mr. Stevenson
in the Chair and distributed the Presi-
dents annual message among the appro-
pirate committees.
The question OF referring the subject Of
the postal telegraph provoked some DIS
cussion. Mr.. Wood preferring to have It
referred to aEspecial committee, and
Messrs. Dawes land Beck favoring its
reference TO the Committee on Appropria-
tons, 1t having been before that commit
tee at the last session '''' z - ''TF7
Mr. Niblac, member of the Appropria-
tiOn Committee, regarded the postal tele.
graph matter as one of the prnvest nues-
tionG before Congress. 1t had always
been, to him, a startling proposition and
although he was growing accustomed 10
It he W as still unreconciled to it, and de-
sired to be classed as an opponent to the
measure; while he favored leaving the
matter with the Committee on Appropri-
ations this session he would be prepared
next Congress to advocate It's reference
either to select committee, or some
standing committee, who would have
more time at its disposal than the Com
mittee on Appropriations. Finally the
matter was referred TO the Committee on
Appropriation. wv
The Centennial Celebration was, after
discussion, referred 10 d select committee
T Of nine. The Committee rose and the
House adjourned. fff'GET.af (
i lE-'El1J SENATE. JAt iyHi I
Mr.. Anthony was elected President pn
tenn. Senate adjourned.
/ . CHEROKEE NATION. 'sQ'
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Bill Passed by the Council to Danish