The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-23
HOUSE.


Mr.. Hagans offered resolution in
structing the Judiciary Committee to in.
quire whether any restrictions are placed
on telegraphic communication to the
press and to individuals. Adopted.
Mr.. Garfield asked unanimous consent
to the report and have passed, the bill
appropriating $4,000 to defray the ex,
penses of the visit of King kalakaua and
| suite.
Mr.. Hereford objected, and the bill
was not read
Mr.. Dawes presented medical GER
tificate that Richard B. Irwin, witness IN
the Pacific Mail Investigation, is not in
physical condition to present him.
self at at the bar Of the House, or
be subjected to any mental excitement.
He remarked that the Committee on
WAYS and Means, under the circumstan-
ces, would not instruct the sergeant-at-
arms to bring the witness before the.
House at present, unless the House should
otherwise order.
Mr.. Dawes then offered resolution
authorizing ihe Committee on Ways and
Means to hold session in New York in
connection with investigation. Adopted.
The House then went into aCommlttec
of the Whole, Mr.. Poland, of Vermont,
in the chair, on the naval appropriation
bill.
The folio wing are the principal items
os the bill, which appropriates in all,
about $l7,OOO,000: Pay of officers, $500;
men of the navy, $G,250.O00; civil cstab-
lishments at the navy yards and stations,
fl,2j0,0O0; general maintenance of the
navy yards and docks, S7GO,O0O; provl-
sions for officers, seamen and marines
$l,300,000; preservation Of vessels, pur-
chase of stores, &c, $300,0O0; repairs
of boilers, machinery, &c, Sl,SOO,OOOi
naval academy, l,750,00O; Marine corps,
! $S7S,0OO.
Mr.. Burleigh moved to reduce the item
for the contingent expenses Of the navy.
| After discussion the motion was rejected.
In the course of the discussion Mr..
/ Creamer sssailed the administration Of the
navy department, particularly y in ceanec-
ton with running navy yards for political
purposes. He declared that the course OF
that department had brought the govern
ment and Republican party into con-
tempt. He charged that the Secretary
of the Navy was the daily and nightly
companion of contractors and jobb"rS
whom make millions out of the govern
ment ana who were constantly Swindllng
the government. He denounced the ap-
preparation of $1,000, 900 made at the last
session, under the score Of war with
Spain, a. one Of the greatest frauds ever
practiccd. lfone were TO take microS-
cope and examine the navy to-day, he
could not see where one dollar Of that
! S50O0,000 went to.
The administration of the navy Was
defended by MessrS. Hale, of Maine,
Archer and Gooch.
Mr.. Chittenden recognized the faCt
that the Brooklyn navy yard had been
ASink OF Political Corruption
for many years, but although it was in
his district, his election was Independent
Of il; naman inside or outside of that
navy yard had any claim whatever upon
him. On the contrary, a perfectly dl~ra-
putable man had got letter from every
member of the Cabinet but one, intended
to assist that person in carrying the Con-
gressional election against him Chitten
den l. and there WAS no question but that
men were planted in the Brooklyn navy
ward for political purposes. Those men
were not there now, although ther"
stood upon the stocks one Of the ten
sloops Of war voted last year, which WIS
rotting for want of covering, because
there were no men to cover il. There
was no work going on there now except
the repairs of the Tennessee.
Mr.. O'Ncil defended the Secretary of
the Navy from the assersiOns cast upon
him bv Nr. Crcamcr. He recommended
the abolition of all minor navy yards,
and the establishment of one grand navy
ward at League Island. Finally the
committee rose, and the House passed
the bill.
The Speaker presented a communica'
tion from the President. with petition
of colored citizens of Alabama, in regard
to the troubles in that State. Referred
10 the Select Committee on that subject
The Speaker presented the applications
Of a large number of members for leave
of absence, 30 large a number that Mr.
Garfield and Mr.. Eldridge, suggested
doubts As 10 whether a quorum would b
left. The applications were all granted
Mr.. Page introduced q bill excluding
Chinese emigrants from the benefits o
the naturalization act. Referred.
Adjourned.