The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-13
FORTY.THIRD CONGRESS-.
WASHlNGToN. Dec. 10.
HOUSE.

The Senate bill removing the disabilities
of Thos c Babcock and others. was taken
up and passed.
Mr.. Holman offered resolution inquir-
ing whether payments have been made by
the war department over any railroads
since January, 1866, in aid of Which land
grants had been made Adopted.
Mr.. DUEL presented a petition for the re-
peal of the bankruptcy law. Referred.
Mr.. Cox presented a petition of the grand
division sons Of temperance of eastern New
York for a commission OF. Enquiry concern
ing alcoholic liquor traffic. Referred.
The speaker laid before the House the
communication from the secretary of war
calling attention to defalcations in the ac-
mems bureau. The letter was read. The
total amount of the defalcations was S21S,-
553. The secretary would have Gen,
Howard tried by military court of in
quiry, were it not that most of the matters
are barred by the statute of limitation
At the conclusion of the reading Mr.,
Wood offered resolution that the letter
and accompanying reports be referred TO
the committee on military affairs with in
structions to report resolution providing
for the trial by Il military court-martial of
any officers of the army implicated therein.
Mr. Dawes moved to amend by striking
ont the clause relative to Instructions.
Mr. Speaker said he had been about TO
refer the communication to the committee
on military affairs.
Mr. Dawes communication was agreed
to--l14 toS
Mr. Dawes said he did not desire to
shield Gen. Howard. but he objected to the
resolution making statements ms To the facts
before the hearing
Mr. Wood said the resolution stated rs a
fact what had been authenticated in the
official documents from the secretary of
war
Mr.. Dawes said no matter how strong
the proof may appear, it is sufficient to use
the words alleged defalcation." He NOV
ed to insert the word "alcgcd" before de
falCations.
Mr. Wood consented To let 1t go, and
said if that side of the House takes the re-
sponsiblity of shielding this man it may do
SO.
Mr. Dawes said his side of the House
took the responsibility of shielding no man.
The resolution as amended by Mr. Dawes
was adopted, and the House resumed the
consideration of the salary bill
Mr. Nesmth Of Oregon opening the de-
bate.
Mr.. Cummings of Missouri defended the
increased salary bill, and argued that the
public clamor against it had been produced
partly by misrepresentation and partly by
misrepresentation of facts. He announced
his intention, however, to vote for the bill
reported by the committee.
Mr.. Burchard of Illinois said the una
nimity of the House in favor of a repeal
was such that he saw no necessity of occu-
pyng further time discussing that point
The bill advocated dated the repeal from
the commencement of the present term.
Mr.. Orth OF Indiana said he had offered
his proposition, last evening, more in ma
turc of compromise than anything else,
because it was apparent that unless there
was compromise the House would never
arrive at any conclusions lie thought
that four propositions had been definitely
settled by public opinion. First, that the
law of last Congress should be repealed.
Second that mileage shall never again be
restored. Third, that the franking privi-
lege, so far as relates TO personal privileged
Members of Congress, shall never be re-
stored, whatever else may be done in re-
gard to distributing public documents.
Fourth that the salary of Members of
Congress shall be substantially what it was
under tho old law. All this he provided
for in the propositions which he had of
fered.
Mr. Tremain of New York asked Ortll
whether his proposition made any provis-
ion for covering the back pay into the
treasury.
Mr. Orth replied that it did not. He said