Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-02-15
F)RTI.TOt RTn CONGRESS-.
Second Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, February IL.
Monill, from the committee on public buildings
reported iavorably on bill for the erection of a
fire proof building for the national museum.
The bill removing the political disabilities of
jos. h. Johnston OF Wing mia, was passed.
Pending the discussion, the Senate, on the mo-
tion OF Mr. ingalls,, at 3 40 o'clock went into ex.
ccutivc session, and when the doors were re.
opened the railroad bill was laid aside with the
understanding that it be unfinished business to-
morrow.
Mr.. Wndon called up the Senate bill appropri-
ating 5000 to pay the expenses Of the electoral
commission, and 1t was passed.
Mr.. Sargent from the conference committee on
the bill appropriating $3.50 900 to supply the def
cheney ia the appropriation for public printing
and binding during the current fiscal year, made
report which was aglecd to and the bill passed.
The bill as agreed upon in the conference COM
mittec and passed provides that from and after the
present session Of Congress the Congressional
printer shall nos pay price exceeding 80 cents
per 1000 ems for composition and 40 cents an
hour for time Of work in binding, etc.
MIR. NiIdon fIom the committee on appropra
tons reported back the legislative, judicial and
executive appropriation bill with sundry amend
nents. Placed on the calendar
The Serae at o'clock took recess until 10
o'clock 10 morrow morning.
House.
Several bills were introduced and referred
Resolutions Of the Florida committee were ia
htu up, hHl uOUlpsOu Oh massachusetts male "a
speech.
Mr.. ThomIso of Mass defended the majority
from the Chargesmade against it by the minority
report, and stated that the minority had been
treated with the greatest fairness and any charge
to the contrary was utterly untrue. The minorlty
had gone down to Florida IN order to justify the
illegal action Of the canyassing board. lie crit
lcized that portion oil their report which states
that the action of that board singuarly faith
ful. Faithful to what Faithful to the county :
No. Faithful o the State Of Florida No. 1t
had undertaken to c e i the eople of Florida out
OF their lawful elected governor The majority
had never refused 10 summon a witness when de-
sired by the maoi V. The gentleman from
Mum, (DunueU) had charged on the hIor of the
House yCstetd!y that democratic aud existed in
Florida. Why had he not proved it when be
wa. there He had been given every opportunity
to do so, and yet he could not ln short he
Thompson, declared that the minority report was
substantially untrue from the beginning to the
end
The re,olutiou declaring the Tilden Il Hen
dicks electors as duly elected in Florida was
then adopted YES li2, nays ~.
The House at 40 o'clock went into committee
of the whole on the naval appropriation bill. The
bill appropriaes Sl2. .4S1 ,52I 40.
Mr.. Whithorne Of Tenn, said that in the prop
er place he intended TO offer amendment to
the bill reported from the committee naval af-
fairs, to authorize the appointment Of a mixed
comm, SION to decide upon the future naval policy
Of the United States
lie called attention to the fact that since 1861
there had been expended on the navy over 5000
900 900. And yet II was not efficient to day
in 1861. The President had stated in his annual
message to Congress that the navy was stronger
now than it ever had been. But he (Whithorne)
did not wish the country to be mIsled by thai
statement.
The strength of navy did not consist in the
number of lis vessels or officers and men but il
its power to destroy, and the United States navy
had become so powerless as rot to have a stand
ard among the navics OF tie world. In the powe
of destroying its adversaries the United State
navy was in the rear of even the Brazilian ant
Turkish navies.
Mr. Harris OF Mass. defended the secretary o.
the navy from the charge Of beng Iesponsible 70
| waste OF money in the expenditures.
MI. Hale OF Maine said the gentleman from
| Tennessee (Whnhorne) had last year discovered
| method for improving the navy Of the UnieC
| States, which was by the impeachment of the sec
| retary OF the navy. That attempt had failed ant
now he came forward with the proposition for
| commission which was 10 be ranacea for all thu
| i'll which afh cted the navy department. Tha
| commission was to be made up OF three person;
| who had passed their lives in the naval service
and of six persons who, in all probability, would
| know nothing whatever about the subject they
were to inquire into. lie denied that the Amor
| can navy was in worse condition than it had ever
bsen before, and be believed that if war had en-
sued between Spain and the United Stotes during
| the Nirginus excitement, the United States navy
would have cCme out conquerors.
MIR. WlithorIe quoted from an English aulho
who CON mented on the weakness of the Unite,
States navy during the Nirgnus excitement, an
said that there was no American but must han!
his head with modification, and acknowledge tn
the United States had to submit to insult al d dis
grace from Spain on account of the shameful con
dition Of the navy.