The Portland daily press., 1873-12-18
Fort Third Congress - First Session.
SENATE.


Mr.. Cracin of New Hampshire, from the
Committee on Naval Affairs. reported back the
House bill to increase the number of seamen
in the navy 10 0,000 without amendment, and
asked that it be passed.
Objection being raised the bill went over
Mr. Davis of West Virginia, introduced a
bill to reimburse the State for losses of bridges,
sci oil houses, etc. during the war, such losses
being caused by federal troops. Referred to
the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Sumner offered resolution instructing
tbs Committee on Finance to inquire into the
expediency of reducieg national expenditure
by abolishing the office of Commissioner of III
teraal Revenue and other officers under nm,
and that Internal taxation be collected oy
stamps, unstamped articles he liable to seizure
and contiseation by the United States Court,
and the laws TO be enforced under the direction
of toe Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr. Wright of Iowa, offered u resolution TO
inquire into the eXpediency OF amcniing tne
pension laws so as to allow the same pension
for the loss of the ann above the elbow as Tor
the loss of the leg above the knee. Passed.
Mr. lmunds moved that the House bill fer
the repeal of>the bankruptcy act be read and
referred TO the Judiciary Committee
NJ Coukling said the Judiciary Committee
already had several bills to repeal, that act
all of which were read the fast and second
time. He suggested that the bills be laid on
the table for the present. until the Judiciary
Committee should report
Mr. Frelnghuysen offered an amendment
that the bill be referred to the judiciary Com
mlttee with instructions to report to-day.
The morning hour here expired, and Mr..
Fenton made a speech on finances in which he
said it only remained for the government to
enforce rigid economy in all the departments OF
the public serv ice that we may gradually re-
trace our steps until we reach the nominal con-
Our redundant paper money renders the re-
sumption OF specie payments impossible Ey-
cry interest OF tine government and OF the peo-
pie concur in the policy of moderate taxes.
He claimed there must be reduction of paper.
That paper and specie shall bear a recognized
relation to each other.
Mr. Crozer of Kansas, desired that the ques-
ton be postponed and the bill for the relief of
settlers on the Usage lands be consid red.
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, desired that the spec
ial naval application bill be taken up.
Mr. Window gave notice he would call up
the resolution to adjourn over holidays.
a resolution was adopted that the Finance
Committee report whether farther legislation is
necessary to prevent tie national banks from
chargibging more than legal interest.
Mir. Window moved that the resolution fix
ing time of adjournment sor HOLIDAYS be taken
up. =
Mr. Morrill, of Maine, did not think it safe
to adjourn till the matter pressing upon their
attention We're accomplished.
Mr.. Edmunds said the Senate had worked
two weeks and were behind Land.
MIR. Thurman off red a resolution to adjourn
and referred to the pending question.
Mr. Morton thought the usage of adjournng
over the holidays would now be more houored
in the breach than in the observance. The
country expected Congress to Immediately act
On the gnancial question.
Mr.. Logan hoped the Senators this year
weuld forego the pleasures of a holiday recess
to attend to mere pressing duties.
Mr.. Hamlln considered long recess now
Ia 1nc hi Grin md
against any re cess.
Mr. Sherman opposed recess. He thought
the presence of Congress was required here.
Mr.. Edmunds moved the indefinite posi- pone
ment of the holiday recess. Agreed. Thirty
seven yeas to twenty-seven nays.
Mr. Edmunds moved that the House bill re-
pealing the bankruptcy act be taken up and re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee Agreed to-
Mr., Morrill, of Maine. moved to take up
House bill making special appropriation of
"a 000. 000, 900 for the navy.
Mr.. Sumner uquiaed if the bill was to meet
the expenses already incurred.
Mr.. Morri replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Sumner mo palt of this appropriation
is to be applied to ANYTHING in the future?''
Mr.. Morrill-'No Sir"
Mr.. Sumner-l am ready and willing 10 run
a line distinctly. l am against The appropria-
ton of another dollar in any such direction. l
am not disposed to discuss these expenditures
now, though regret most sincerely that they
were made. | shall say nothing about IT. The
facts are not yet sufiicentlo before the country,
but think my duty to declare these expendi-
lures should stop this hour. This minute. L
thiDk il an i'll omened expenditures
Mr.. Sherman-Not disposed to find fanlt with
the President or the Secretary of the Navy for
eXpending this So, 900 under circumstances
growing out of the Virg;nIus affair, as they
We're mere bound to put our navy on even foot
ing, but he did think by the wisdom, prudence
and care of the Secretary of State. approved of
course by the Executive, we have escaped
difficulty. He willing to pay the 81 900.
U0O now, buJ WaITfed thai TO be the end Of eX
pendtures in that direction, he would shy to
the Secretary of the Navy, these expenditures
ought to cease now that the Virgiulus affair
has happily passed away" It had been at
tempted to make the recent difficulty pretence
to increase numerical our force of seamen from
5000 to 10000, but he was opposed to this.
Beng now in the midst of pane, it was the
duty of the Executive departments to econo-
mise i'll every branch of its service. 1t was the
duty of the Executive to stop all unnecessary
expenditures The defcencief this month will
not be less than S12000,000, and if econ 1mzing
not enou0h. the Congress will have 20 increase
the taxes.
Mr.. Wilson of Indiana, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported resolution authorizing
the committee to send for persons and papers
in the inquiry as to the official conduct of Judge
Busted OF Alabama, and resolution instructing
that The committee inquire and report whether
Judge Durell of Louisiana should be lmpeach
ed for his crimes aud msdemeanors, with pow
er to send for persons ard papers.
Mr. Duel of New York, offered resolution
instructing abe Committee on Expenditures on
Public Buildings to make an enquiry into the
management of official moneys for public
buildings, &c. Adopted.
Several resolutions of inquiry into the expe-
diency of revising and re-adiustipg the COM
of lar off inf
and adopted.
NJ. Stephens of Georgia, presented a memo
rial from the Cuban meeting in New York, a
few days since, in favor of Cuban belligerency.
Referred TO the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mr. Dawes of Mass, from the Ways and
Means Committee, reported back the Senate
amendments to the bill for the redemption of
the lcau Of 1858.
He moved concurrence in all the amend
ments. The amendments We're concurred in,
and the bill now goes to the President for his
signature.
Mr. Butler of Mass, claimed the right to re-
port back the the supplementary civil rights
bill, but the Speaker informed HIM that the
salary bill bad the precedence, and everything
done this morning was by unanimous consent.
Mr.. Hale of Maine, declined to give way any
further
The House then resumed the consideration
of the salary bill.
Mr.. Kasson os Iowa. moved to reconsider the
vote OF last evening, Which adopted the amend
ment, and also moved to lay the motion on the
table. This is the mode in the House of max
ing the action final and irrevocable The mo-
tion was agreed to, 1877 to "a.
Mr.. Hale of New York, moved to amend by
striking out the portion referring to tine Pres.-
dent, and gave notice that he would move a
similar amendment in regard to Cabinet officers
and emp oyees of Congress. They should look
not only to the Presidents time for four years,
but to the effect on his future life of having
been that officer.
Mr.. Hale reerred to the fact that ex-Presi-
dents were obliged to keep up certain hospitai-
ties, and hoped future ex-Presdents would uot
be left to die bankrupt, as did Thomas Jeffer-
son.
Mr.. Tremaine moved to amend Mr.. Hale's
amendment, by excluding from the effect of
the bill the Vice President, members of the
Cabinet and Speaker of the House. He sid
he lad heard of no complaints whatever to
raising ike salaries Of these officers.
Mr.. Dawes opposed both Hae's and Ire
maine's amendments He said all officers of
the government We're DESTROYS of co-opera ting
with Congress in cutting down expenditures,
whether in salaries or otherwise
Mr.. Tremaine to Mr.. Dawes-"Have yon the
authority of auy member of the Cabinet for
saying he IS opposed TO ncrease?'
Mr.. Dawes-l have the authority of the
character of all these men for saying they will
not stand up before this country and insist up n
it, We Will 90 10 increasing the burdens of the
people in order to meet the increase OF their
own salaries while we cut down our own and
all others That is my authority If my
fIiend finds nothing in the character of the
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