Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-19
Congressional Proceedings.
FRIDAY, December Is.
HOUSE.

| HOUSE.
\ paragraph in the appropriation bill in rela-
ton to mileage of United States marshals and
deputy marshals gave rise to long discussion in
the cause of which the department of justice was
characterized by Mr.. Beck as being honey -combed
with frauds.
The western district of Arkansas and the dis
trict of North Carolina, were alluded to by Mr..
Specr Of Pennsylvania, as being run by political
thieves, vampires and scoundrels.
On the other hand the Department of Justice
was defended by Mr.. Hale Of Maine, and May
nard Of Tennessee.
The result of the discussion was that the
provision in the last army appropriation bill pro-
hibitng the allowance Of mileage Is zoo to be
strued applying TO legal travelling fees Of the
United States Marshals. No fees however are to
allowed for constructive mileage are to be accom-
panied by sworn proof that the distance for
which mileage is claimed was actually and neces-
sarily travelled by the officers.
When the paragraph for the department of JUS
tee was reached Beck Of Kentucky moved to strike
it out, and renewed his attack upon that depart
mcnt, declaring that the Attorney General was
more guilty man in connection with the affairs of
Louisiana than Judge Duriell himself, who has
resigned ard confessed his guilt lie Charged
that the department Of justice had appealed from
the decisions of the courts of claims in the cotton
cases, and had dismissed the appeals whenever the
fIierds of the department were employed and had
their fees arranged. They had used the army for
the basest OF purposes, and was department of
injustice instead of a department Of justice, and
when the proper time came lie would, if lie got an
opportunity, make good what ne had said about
the Attorney General and the department Of JUS
tCe.
Mr.. Speer of Pa, also criticised the fact that
the Attorney General had not complied with laws
which required repori to be male Of the en-
pcndiurc Ct the contingent fund of the depart
ment.
Mr.. Cart cid of Ohio, replied to Mcssrs. Beck
and ~pecr and criticised the use OF such words as
vampires, thieves, robbers AID swindler.," in
connection with department Of the government.
lie declared that while the judiciary department
had not always been as economical as it ought to
have oeea, there hai been "A earnest, steady
work done in cutting down the expenses of that
department, not alone by the committee CT Con
gre-s, but by the department i self.
The republican majority in Congress had on his
Garfield > own motion made the appropriations
for contingencies definite and precise, instead of
appropriating the democrats hal done in their
rule, millions Of dollars in lump. Against what
particular thing in the bill ne asked, had the gen
tleman from Pennsylvania (Speer) directed his
thunder That gentleman ka1 been kicking
against the sky, shooting at stars his fusil reared
and the skies re-echoed; where were his birds
Mr., Coz, CT New York.-The election brought
them down. Laughter)
Mr.. Garfield, continuing If that gentleman
(Speer) sees ANYTHING wrong In the bill, lie. him
point it out and will help him to set it right; but
| cannot answer an Indictment against the uni
verse. | am tired of this everlasting clamor, of
this yagucness and mere hurrah to which we are
treated every hour and il We do not get up a
roar in answer we told that there is
economy in the House. They say to us, wait till
we come in and we will show you our economy
The country did wait and let you show your econ
omy for many years, until the government had
run down and touched bottom in bankruptcy and
protest. In that broken condition the republican
parry saved the government from degradation and
and slavery, and ruiz, and treason, and rebellion,
and lifted it up into the / 4bt If freedom and into
respect for the rights Of man. Bark" said he
TO the democrats, "but remember tie gories YOU
bark at
Mr.. Sp- er of Pennsylvania, replied to Mr. Gar
field. He would not submit TO a robu4e from that
gentleman or to lecture from him on h Speer's)
past course or that of his patty. Perhaps they
erred, but the man who raised the rod of
correction over them should be man along whose
pathway the light alone had >hone, and MOI one
who had come out Of the miss and clouds of sus-
picion, if not of guilt.
Mr.. Garfield TO member beaide him), "What
is that "
Mr.. Specr (oveihearing the question:, 81 say,
it should not come from a gentleman who came
out Of the m,ts and clouds Of suspicion if not Of
guilt. ii | vas lighting the stars | beg the gen
tleman to believe | was not fighting him. If was
discCultCot s | WRldraw the remark which would
bear that Interpretation. Bat | am here not to
be rcbuked while IN the line Of my public duty,
and say it is not the right Of gentleman this
the gentleman from Ohio to answer supelciliously
at least in the manner and in tone, il not in Lam
Euage, question properly put by person proper
ly authorized to put it.
Mr.. Gatfcd-.Any teaching that it is necessary
for me to receive, will try TO receive in due time.
ask for vote. The motion to strike out the par
agraph was rejected.
Finally the bill was completed in the COM
mittce Of the whole ana reported to the
House. There discussion arose in reference to
: bn MT Of o l. f,,th he aof
post Office department, it having been alleged that
the rent, 81 200 year eNorbitant, and that
a. II. Shepherd was the owner.
Mr.. Tyncr of Indiana defended the action OF
the post Office department in the matter, while his
colleague (Wilsonl, called attention 10 the fact
that the sane property sold year o. two since
for $4,000.
Fidally vote was taken on the amendment, rc-
ducing the reLt from y 200 20 5000 and it was
agreed to-
A vote was then taken on the amendment abol
i,hing the capital police ard substituting watch
men, which was rejected.
III the other amendments to the bill We:e
agreed to ngloss and tue b.li passed,
G.. T. Iloar, of Massachusetts,, offered rcsolU-
ton permitting the committee on the condition Of
the South to proceed, either as a committee or
subcommittee, to Louisiana 10 make nyestga
tons.
Adopted.
Mr.. Fort, Of Illinois, announced the DEATH at
Norfolk, Va, Of his colleague, Mr.. Rice, and NOV
cd for committee Of five -mbes to accompany
the remains to Illinois.
Adopted.
Nle.srs. Fort and Ward Of Illinois and Clymer
Burroughs and Southland we've appointed as such
a committee.
Adjourned til Monday.
SEBR ASIA
S II Moro Indian expectations.