The New York herald., 1873-12-11

worthy OF clvllZatlOn; tnaC the unlteu otates
should use means to suppress and check such cruel
acts; that Congress realrms the doctrine that the
occupants OF any portion OF the American Con-
tinent or the islands thereof are the proper
rulers OF the country they occupy; that it is the
duty OF the United States, whenever the people OF
Cuba or any other part OF America indicate their
desire to throw of yoke, promptly to recognize
and sympathize with them; that in view OF recent
events humanity dictates an early recognition OF
Cuban independence; that the continued exist
ence OF African slavery in Cuba Is inconsistent
with and injurious the civilization OF the CONT
nent and that IL Is the duty OF the United states
government to exert all means in its power for its
speedy overthrow, and that all violations OF our
maritime rights or dlsrespect to the American
flag should be promptly met
Mr.. ORTIZ, (rep) OF Ind, objected to the recep-
ton Of the resolution unless It's author would have
IL referred.
Mr.. PHILLIPS consented to that, and the resolu-
tion was referred to the Committee on Foreign AZ
fairs.
UNITED STATES CONSUL GENERAL AND AGENT IN
EGYPT.
Mr.. ORTIZ of Indiana, from the Committee on
Foreign Afrairs reported joint resolution to
change the name Of the Agent and Consul General
OF the United States at Alexandria, Egypt, to that
OF Agent and Consul General OF the United States
at Cairo. Adopted.
IMPROVEMENT OF PLYMOUTH HARBOH.
Mr.. BUFFINToN, trep.) OF Mass offered resolu-
ton directing the Secretary OF War to cause an ex-
animation or survey OF the harbor OF Plymouth
Mass, with view to dredging and Improving the
same SO to afford greater protection and aclli-
ties to commerce. and that he report on the posi-
bilty OF making such Improvement and the proba-
BILE cost thereof. Adopted aH ..T
TAMPERING WITH MAIL NATTER.
M DAWES E Tep 0 Mass osIea "a nor tbe
House whether any Custom House officers or detec-
tives have been allowed to examine correspond
ntNacS fhn Nnu Nprk RnGtn Dltaf
0flices, and whether any such officials have opened
or otherwise tampered with sucn correspondence
nue. laws have been violated, OF for any other pur-
pose, aud to report all the 1acts to the House.
Adopted. HeI
COST OF RE-FuNDNG THE PUBLIC DEBT.
Mr.. WOOD, (dem.) OF N. y, from the Committee
on Ways and Means, reported a resolution direct
ing the Secretary OF the Treasury to report the
cost OF re-unding the public thus lar into the
five per cent bonds with detailed statement OF
the amounts paid ON that account, to whom paid,
including travelling and other expenses OF any per-
sons attached to the Treasury Department; also
whether, in the adjustment OF differences OF inter-
est, the government has received its proper allow
ance, with detailed statement OF the interest &C
count, giving the amounts, dates and name OF par
ties with and through whom the negotiations were
BANKS WITHOUT CIRCULATION
Mr.. MAYNARD, Tep.) Of Tenn, introduced bill
to authorize the organization OF national banks
without circulation Referred to the Committee
on Banking ana Currency.
AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.
Mr.. HAYS (rep.) OF Ala, from the Committee on
Agriculture, reported resolution for the printing
OF 255,0OO copies OF each Of the annual agricultural
reports OF 1872 and 1873. Referred to the Commit
tee on Printing.
Mr.. RANDALL, (dem) of Pa, stated IN connection
with the same subject that the Post Office Commit
tee had mad before 1t the question OF public docu-
ments and referred 1t TO a subcommittee. The
former legislation in connection with the circula-
tion OF newspapers within the counties where pub
llshed, and also as TO exchange,
INCREASE OF SEAMEN IN THE NAVY.
Mr.. SCoFIEID, OF Pa, from the Naval Committee,
reported bill authorizing the present number OF
enlisted men OF the navy to be increased from
$500 to II, 900 men. He proceeded TO explain the
bil and said that the Secretary Of the Navy had in
formed the Commttee,on Appropriations that he
had not men enough to man the SHIPS. He, for one.
should not have been very strongly inclined to
make this increase Tor the present emergency, be.
cause he was under the impression that 1T would
not be needed
Mr.. HALE, crepl Of Me-, asked MT. scoGeld
whether the idea was that this increase should be
permanent, or was the number to be cut down
again to its Old fgure9
Mr. SCoFIELD replied that the law would be per-
manent, OF course until 1t was changed.
Mr.. GARFIELD, Crep.) OF Onio, offered an amend
ment, providing that the temporary increase OF
the lorce should not continue hey Ond the 1sJ OF
January, 1875 He believed that the speck OF war
would soon blow away, and tnat the country
would lind itself again in calm and peace with
Spain.
Mr.. CoBURN, rep) Of Ind, asked why then in
Mr.. GARFIELD replied that the gentleman himself
was aware OF the 1acts which had transpired
Mr. BECK, (dem.) Of KY, declared that no secre-
tary should have authority TO increase either the
army or the navy. Congress should retain that
MI CoBURN regarded the proposition as at least
unfortunate. me government was dong every
thing IL could to bring about an amicabe ADJUST
ment, and IL seemed TO him that while that condi-
ton OF affairs existed any increase OF the war
power OF the country might create agitation and
apprehensions which would tend to break up the
negotiations for an amlcable adjustment. The
government had found itself with comparatively
small naval force OF ships IN commission. There
were a number OF ships not in commission which
1t was deemed safer to put on war footing 10
meet any emergency-that had been deemed the
safest and surest way to preserve peace and pre-
vent war. Mr.. Copurn inquired what would be
the cost OF these additional 800 menf
Mr.. GARFIELD said he could not state that, but
he had been instructed by the Committee on APP
propnatlons to report Dill appropriating
$4,000,000 Tor extraordinary expenses OF the
navy. He proposed that the matter should be
postponed until the result OF the negotiations be-
three weeks but. II war broke out and the conn
try was called upon TO act the enlistment OF 800
men Tor the navy would be accomplished in
single day. Let declaration OF war be once made
and there would be no scarcity Of men either for
the army or navy.
Mr. KAssoN (rep.) Of Iowa. advocated the bill as
necessary measure. He would vote lor it even
without the amendment. making the increase tenn
porary. He wanted the navy made competent to
protect the American commerce and flag from In
suits by European Powers. He hoped the time
would soon come when the American navy would
be sufficient to have ship in every port where
American commerce was subject to any kind Of
danger.
and stated that one month alter the outrage on the
Virginius there were only 20 guns American
vessels in Cuban waters, the Worcester carrying
a. the wyoming and the Saugus q The Spanish
navy in the Cuban waters at the same time carried
$50 guns. 1t was not possible for the American
navy to have 6S guns there before the lst of Janu
ary next. such vessels as the navy had were In
foreign waters, and 1t was q godsend that II
there were to be complications with Spain such CON-
pcations could not arise until after December IS.
1t was possible within 120 days to have an Ameri-
can fleet OF 500 guns IN the Cuban waters but Spain
OF the most powerful iron-cads in the world. He
was aware OF the great recuperatlve energy OF the
country and OF the great ability OF Admiral Porter,
and he satisfied that whatever difficulties
might arise the country would be prepared for
every emergency.
Mr. STARKwEATHER, (rep.) Of Conn.,, said that
inasmuch as the preparation OF the American navy
had been undcrrated he thought that no harm could
come from stating the tact that the navy was in q
good degree OF readiness TO meet any emergency
tnat was likely to arise. He hoped and believed
that no war would occur with Spain; out II war