The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-05-24

Navy is hereby directed to organize naval
board of five commissioned officers in the navy,
as soon as practicable, whose duty it shall be
to examine fully and determine whether, in
their opinion, any of the yards can be dispensed
with and abandoned, and if so, to report the
best manner of making disposition of the
same; and further, to inquire as to the proprie-
ty of establishing a naval rendezvous at Tybee
Island or at Cockspur Island, in the state OF
Georgia, and whether any government property
at said islands can be made available and are
suitable for such purpose, and said board shall,
though the Secretary of the Navy, report to
Congress at the commencement of the next
session the result of their inquiry, and $4,000 is
herewith appropriated to meet the expenses in
CURED by said board
navy yard on the recommendation of any gen.
tleman who had never seen it, He thought the
House should call to its aid scientific men who
understood the business.
Mr.. Whitthorne suggested that three men,
bers of the board should be the three senior
officers in the navy.
Mr. Randall said he had no objection. All
he wanted was to have good, intelligent men
whose experience had made them familiar with
the naval affairs of the country. He modified
his amendment accordingly.
Mr.. Whitthorne defended the proposition of
the Naval Committee offered by Mr.. Lewis of
Alabama, yesterday, and said that it was in the
line of retrenchment and reform.
Mr.. Danford moved 10 amend Randalps sub
sttute by allowing naval station to be estab.
lished at Tybee Island or Cockspur Island, or
any other point on the coast of Georgia or
South Carolina. Agreed to.
Mr.. RandalPs substitute was adopted-97 to
In the further consideration of the bill the
attempt to defeat the election of Mr.. Banks of
Massachusetts by colonizing Charestown navy
yard in the interest of his antagonist, GoOch,
was alluded to and Banks took the Opportuni-
ty of saying that although his district was eau
vassed against him by Blaine and other ad-
ministration leaders the Republican candidate
instead of having majority of 5000 on his side
was beaten by $500, and that all the influence
brought to bear against him (Banks) had no
effect whatever on the honest fellows who were
employed in the navy yard.
Mr.. Mills quoted letter from Hanscom,
chief of the bureau of construction asking the
commandant at that yard to put on men in the
interest of Goech and Frost and added that so
strong was Banks hold on the affections of the
people of Massachusetts that these navy yard
employees voted for him to man.
Mr. Banks-I cannot dispute that. Naugh-
ter.)
The condition of the navy was discussed at
length, Hale of Maine and Danford of Ohio
maintaining that the navy was in excellent
condition, while Whitthorne of Tennessee,
chairman of the naval cofnmittee), asserted
that it had never been in so shameful and mis-
cradle condition as ut present.
Mr.. Lewis offered an amendment to reduce
the strength of the marine corps and abolish
the Marine band. Upon the latter portion of
the proposition Mr. Harrison of Illinois deliv-
cred an amusing speech, recounting the list of
Democratic candidates for the Presidency and
refusing to vote against either of them having
music from the Marine band at the Inaugural
ton.
The amendment was voted down by very
large majority.
Committee rose and reported the bill which
was thereupon passed.
House then at o'clock again went into the
Committee of the Whole springer in the
chair on the Indian appropriation bill, and was
addressed by Ward of New York on the dstri-
button of the Geneva award.
Without making any progress on the bill in
committee, Mr.. Blackburn offered resolution
authorizing the Louisiana investigating COM
mittee to act by subcommittee. Adopted.
Mr.. Woodburn was appointed on that COM
mittee to fill vacancy caused by the witt
drawal of Haskins.
House at 5 o'clock adjourned.