New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-13
B Y TEL EG APH
CONGRESS.
Senate.


WASHINGTON, December l2.-Mr. Scruggs,
of Georgia, has been confirmed as minister
resident for the United States of Colombia.
The Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tlons met to day, at eleven o'clock at the
Capitol. Senator Morton presided, and all
of the members were present, except Mr..
Sumner The argument occupied nearly
five hours.
Mr.. Billings opened. and was followed by
Messrs. Ogden and Mari. Judge Dibble
closed.
The committee went into secret session,
and then adjourned until Monday, at ten
o'clock. Il is thought that they will then
agree upon a report.
WASHINGTON, December I2.-The Speaker
laid before the House a communication
from the Secretary of War charging Gen
eral Q. Q. Howard, of the late t'reedmen's
Bureau. with defalcations amounting to
$273,573.
The Senate bill relieving Bocock, Hawley
and Trigg, OF Firgini and Reagan, of
Texas, Was passed.
A resolution directing the Secretary of
War TO report whether certain roads to
which lands had been granted had been
paid for the transportation of troops and
supplies since 1866, was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
"A ldAkS HUtN VI UuSlucSS ulbu trUul all
parts of the country, petition for re.
peal of the bankrupt law.
Mr. Wood, of New York, offered resolu-
ton that the letter of the Secretary of War,
in regard to the defalcations of General o.
O. Howard. be referred 70 the Committee on
Military Affairs, with instructions to report
a resolution providing for the trial by
military courtmartiai of any army officers
implicated thereby.
NJ of M oahI1 n,ovoH r.,
amend the resolution, by striking out the
clause relative to instructions. He wished
to have the subject simply referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs, leaving that
committee to take such action in the matter
as it should Judge best.
The Speaker remarked that he had been
about to refer the communication to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Wood said that he would have pre-
ferred in view Of the antecedent his tory of
the Freedmen's Bureau and General How
ards connection with it, that there should
be some instructions given the committee.
Mr.. Hale, of New York, objected to the
debate. The vote was taken on Mr.. Dawes
amendment, and it was greed tO-l74 to 49,
Mr.. Dawes said that he did not desire to
shield General Howard, but he objected to
the resolution making statements as facts
before hearing. He did not understand
that the def4lcations of General Howard
had been stated as a fact in the documents.
Mr.. Wood-The resolution states as fact
what has been authenticated in two official
HOcuments sent here by the Secretary of
War. think we can well afford to stand
on facts which the administration declare
to be facts. If that gentleman Mr.. Dawes)
goes back of the administration, will not
Mr. Dawes-No matter how strong the
proof NAV appear. it is sufficient for us to
use the words, alleged defalcatiOns.'
Mr. Wood-The Secretary of War sub
mitted these documents to the Attorney
General, and the Attorney General gave. as
his official opinion, that General Howard
was liable to be tried by courtmartial, and
should be so tried; but that there were
some technical difficulties, owing to the loss
of time.
Mr. Dawes-All that may be so; but the
proper thing is for the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs to report these facts. l move to
insert the word alleged before ''detalca
tons"
Mr. Wood-It is a very small matter. and
/ vii! not detain the House with quibbing
about it. Let it go; but if that side Of the
House takes the responsibility of shielding
this man. it may do SO.
Mr. Dawes-This side of the House will
take the responsibility of shielding no man.
Mr. Wood-It has done so to-day.
Mr.. Dawes-But it will take the response
bility of passing judgment after conviction;
not before.
The resolution, amended by inserting the
word alleged" aud striking out the in
structi0ns, was adopted.
The bill recommending the appropriation
of $1,000, 900, asked for by the Secretary of
the Navy, was passed.
The House adjourned.
The Foreign Committee of the House is
organized, and has paid complimentary
visit to Secretary Fish.
The salary bill was recOmmitted to tie
special committee, with instructions to re-
port a bill repeating all increases except
where the constitution forbids reduction
of salaries.