Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-16
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TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
Forty Second Congressional Session
WAsHrNOToN, 10.

SENATE.
Mr.. Wilson introduced q bill authorizing
the issue of clothing to enlisted men in place
of clothing destroyed by accident
Mr.. Cole submitted resolution which was
agreed to, instructing the committee on edu-
cation and labor to inquire into the expedi-
ency of an amendment to the constitution pro-
vidng for an educational test in the exercise
of electoral franchise. Also q resolution
directing the committee on territories to re-
port on the expedency of enactiDg law to
prevent the indiscriminated slaughter of ante
lope and buffalo.
The resolution for inquiry into the govern
ment sales of arms and ammunition to France
came up.
Mr.. Harlan said that the government sold
arms to our citizens during the Franco-Ger-
man war, but there was not the slightest
particle of evidence to show that our authori-
ties were cosnizant that any of the arms sold
were destined for the French. In reply to
intimations that all the money received on
account of the arms sold was not paid into
the treasury, he read fror, the report of the
chief of ordnance of the sales of arms, and
claimed that the discrepancies alleged by Mr..
Sumner do not exist. In reply to the intimaton
that certain sales of arms had not been in
cluded in the report of the chief of ordnance,
associated press despatch stating that such
sales had been made. Mr.. Harlan explained
that no such sales were made, having been
rejected, and in proof Of this he produced the
records of the war department. He asked
Mr.. Sumner where he got access to the
French record.
Mr.. Sumner stated that it was the official
report printed in the official French journal,
and copied into the New York papers.
Mr.. Harlan said he would submit to the
people whether newspapers authority was
sufficient on which to arraign high officer
of our own government before the American
Senate. He said the explanation was that
the French government wanted the informa-
ton to proceed against its own officials.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen reviewed the preamble
and said it contained some false statements,
and none of the assertions furnished founda-
ton for the allegation that the good name of
our country was seriously compromised. The
investigation must now go on, but he hoped
it would not be made by the committee pro-
posed in the resolution, because the origna
tor of the resolution was chairman of it. He
thought the committee on investigation and
retrenchment the proper one to make the in
vestigation.
Mr.. Schurz then took up the preamble and
reviewed it point by point. He said when
Remington applied for 200 cartridges the
government should have been more than
ordinarily circumspect in the disposal of its
ordnance stores. He would not say that the
Secretary of War knew at first that Reming-
ton was an agent of the French government,
but that Remington soon disclosed himself as
such. Reports made to the French govern
ment showed that all lots of arms sold here
went to the French.
Mr. Conkling denied this, and Mr.. Schurz
said that at least an overwhelming majority
of the arms went to France.
Mr.. Sckurz read from a letter of Reming-
ton of Dec. IS. to show that he bought fifty
batteries, etc. of the government after he
had declared himself French agent.
Mr. Conkling said we had the word of the
Secretary of War that no arms were sold to
Remington after or about the middle of Octo-
Der 1870.
In conclusion Mr.. Schurz said the people
had the impression that somewhere in this
country there existed military ring which
was exerting corrupt and dangerous in
fuence on the administration, and if the pro-
posed investigation should either show that
this impression was unfounded or should dis
cover the guilty and bring them to punish
ment, it would render very important service
to the best interests of the American people.
Without reaching vote the Senate at 80
went into executive session and soon after
adjourned.
House.
Mr.. Slocum of New York moved to strike
out the item for the Brooklyn naval hospital,
and spoke Of its immense cost and the folly
of retaining land there which was worth q
million dollars.
Mr.. Hale of Me-, was in favor Of abolish
ing both the hospital and the yard but this
was not proper bill to decide that question.
Mr.. Banks of Mass, opposed all sales of
government property as it become valuable
thus making the government miserable
speculation in lands. If it became the policy
of the government to having work done in
private yards or by contract he would not OBJ
ject to selling the Brooklyn yard bill. At
present such a course would be to the last
degree Improbable and unwise. After fur
Their discussion Mr.. Slocum of New York
withdrew his motion saying that he had ac-
complished the object of calling attention TO
the subject.
The motion of Mr.. Holman of Ind, to
strike out the item for naval establishment
at Mound city was rejected.
Mr.. Myers of Pa, offered an amendment
for supplying sailors with clothing at the
governments expense, but after discussion
withdrew it and said that he would introduce
it as separate bill.
Mr.. Hale moved to adopt new section to
the bill directing the secretary of the navy to
sell at public auction after advertisement of
such vessels and materials are not suitable or
capable of profitable use and repair of fitting
cut
Mr.. Wood Of N. Y, suggested that no YES
sells should be sold except after condemna-
ton by board of naval officers.
Mr.. Maynard of Tenn, suggested that ex-
ceptions should be made of such historical
vessels as the Constitution, Macedonian,
Kearsarge and the yacht America, which
should always be maintained by the govern
ment.
Mr.. Hale objected to Mr.. Woods sug-
gestion as taking the responsibility from the
secretary of the navy and putting it on board
of naval officers.
Mr.. Wood of New York argued in support
of his proposition and suggested the objection
to it arose from the fear that naval officers
would condemn all vessels in the navy. The
discussion on this point was continued by
Messrs. Garfield Of Ohio and Swan Of Mary
land, against Mr.. Woods proposition. In
the course of his remarks Mr.. Swan stated
that in case of war there were not six vessels