Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-23
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ZZ.-Mr. Maynard
offered a resolution calling for report of
the surrey for the improvement Of the
HolstOn and Tennessee rivers Adopted.
Mr.. Donnan, from the Committee on
Printing, reported aresolution for printing
100000 copies of the Agricultural Report Of
1872, and 10000 copies Of 1878. He stated
the former would cost about forty-twO
cents per copy, and the latter about forty
cents. Passed.
Mr.. Randall offered a resolution direct
ing the Secretary of the Interior to make
detailed statement Of the disbursement of
the contingent fund in each bureau of the
department. Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, Senate bill to
enable the Supreme Court OF the District
of Columbia to proceed with its jury busi-
ness, was taken from the Speakers table
and passed.
Mr.. Garfield asked unanimous con-
sent to report and have passed bill appro-
priating $4,000 to defray the expenses of
the visit of King Kalakaua and suite.
Mr.. Hereford objected, and the bill was
not received.
Mr.. Dawes presented a medical certif-
cate, that Richard B. Irwin, witness in the
Pacific Mail investigation, is not in phys
ical condition to present himself at the bar
of the House, or to be subject to any
mental excitement. He remarked that the
Committee of Ways and Means, under the
circumstances, would not instruct the Ser
geant-at-Arms to bring the witness before
the House at present, unless the House
should otherwise order. Mr.. Dawes then
offered a resolution authorizing the CON-
mittee of Ways and Means to hold a ses-
sion in New York in connection with the
investigation. Adopted.
The House then went into committee Of
the whole, Mr.. Poland, of Vermont, in the.
chair, on the naval appropriation bill,
which appropriates about Sl7,00O,000.
Mr.. Burleigh, of Maine, moved 10 reduce
the item for the contingent expenses Of the
navy, which was rejected.
In the course of the discussion, Mr..
Creamer, of New YOrs, assailed the admin
istration of the Navy Department, particu-
larly in connection with run,iing the navy
yards for political pursoses. BE declared
that the course of that department had
brought the Government and the Republi-
can party into contempt. He charged that
the Secretary of the Navy was daily and
nightly in the company of contractors and
jObbers, who make millions out of the Gov
ling the Government. He denounced the
appropriation of five million dollars made
at the last session under the scare of war
with Spain, as one of the greatest frauds
ever practiced. If one were TO take a mi
croscOpe and examine the navy to-day, he
could not see where one dollar Of that five
millions went.
The administration of the navy was de-
lad bu Maccrc Hall of Mama Archer
and Gooch.
Mr.. Chittenden recognized the fact
that the Brooklyn navy yard had been a
sink of political corruption for many years,
but although it was in his district, his cleo
ton was independent of it. No man in
side or outside of that navy yard had any
claim whatever upon him. On the con-
trary, a perfectly disreputable person had
got letter from every member of the Cabi-
net but one, intended to assist that person
in carrying the Congressional election
against him (Chittenden), and there was
no question but that men were planted in
the Brooklyn navy yard for political pur-
poses. Those men were not there now,
although there stood upon the stocks one
of the ten of sloops of war voted last year,
which was rotting for the want of covering,
because there were no men to cover 1t.
There was no work going on there now,
except repairs on the Tennessee.
Mr.. ONeill defended the Secretary of
the Navy from the aspersions cast upon
him by Mr.. Creamer. He recommended
the abolition Of all minor nayy-yards and
the establishment of enc grand nayy-yard
at League Island.
The committee and House passed the
bill.
The Speaker presented a communication
from the President, with a petition Of col
Ored citizens of Alabama in regard to the
troubles in that State. Referred to select
committee on that subject.
The Speaker presented applications OF
large number Of members for leave of alb
sence, so large a number that MeSsrs. Gar
field and Eldridge suggested doubt as to
whether a quorum would be left. The ap-
plicatiOnS were all granted.
Mr.. Page (ReP.), of California, intro
duced bill excluding Chinese immigrants
| from the benefits Of the naturalization act.
The House then adjourned.