National Republican., 1882-12-23

confirmed the following nominations
Postmasters-Jnmcs Ruth, at Lansing, To-; S. w.
MCEldcrry, at Alton, IT,; Thomas l.. Hoffman, at
Fairfield In; II. T. Crgnshaw, at M9renGgo,, Ia;
Julius Ropes. AT Ishpcming. Mich; John Pickcrt,
81 a. saint Charles, Mimi, Jacob Nj Bell at Paris
III William Firth, ~ Moberly NO.; Luther X.
Palmer, at st. Marys, Kans
NOMINATIONS.
The President sent the following nomina-
tions to the senate:
Mai. Albert = Morrow, 9th cavalry, to be lieu
tenant colonel 9th cavalry.
Capt. Frederick W. Benteen, 7th cavalry, TO be
mrior 9th cavalry.
First lieut. Charles c. DeRudio, 7th cavalry, to be
second Lieuts. II. G. sickel, ir, and John
Pitcher, lst cavalry to be 1st lieutenants.
THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Kelley, chairman of the committee on
ways and means, acting under instructions of
that committee, moved that when the house
adjourn to-day it be to meet on Wednesday
next.
Mr.. Blackburn inquired whether it was
understood that on Wednesday the house
would adjourn for three days longer.
Mr.. Kelley replied that that was certainly
not his intention.
After a vain attempt to secure quorum
the motion-was withdrawn.
Mr.. Carlisle, from the committee on ways
and means, reported back the joint resolution
providing for the importation, free of duty
of books for the use of the blind. Referred
to the committee of the whole.
Mr.. HiscOck offered resolution declaring
that on and after Wednesday, January 8, 1SS3,
the hour of the meeting of the house shall be
at II Il. m. during the remainder of the scs-
sion. The resolution was adOpted-yeas 1l9,
nays 10.
Mr. Rice, from the committee on pensions,
reported a bill granting pensions to certain
soldiers and sailors of the Mexican and GER
tain Indian wars. Referred to committee of
the whole.
Mr.. Kelley again made a motion for ad-
iournmcnt from Saturday until Wednesday.
The motion was agreed to-yeas 10i, nays
81.
The house then (at 1:4O) went into committee
of the whole (Mr. Townsend of Ohio, in the
chair on
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The provision of the bill providing that
hereafter all officers now on the retired list
or who may be hereafter retired from active
service, except in the case of the general of
the army, shall be borne on the rolls of the
army and shall receive the pay now provided
by law, as of the rank they actually held in
| the army at the date of their retirement gave
rise to some debate, and was finally passed
over informally.
Mr.. Thomas offered and advocated an
| tlutuullltub ildt
except those of the general of the army, shall
not receive any additional rank or pay by
reason of having been detailed to staff duty.
He did not think that a low grade officer
should be made high grade officer by reason
of being selected for staff duty, and instanced
the case of Lieut.. Grant who had suddenly
| become Lieut.. Col. Grant.
| The amendment was agreed to by vote of
40 to "a, and Mr.. Butterworth gave notice
that he would ask vote upon it in the house.
MIR. Brown, of Indiana, offered as an amend
ment the following provisions:
That whenever vacancy occurs in the Office of
paymastor general, assistant paymaster general,
deputy paymaster general or paymaster in the
army, by death, dismissal, resignation retirement,
or other cause, the same shall not be filled by ap
in the pay department shall not be sufficient for
the due payment of the troops, the secretary of
war is authorized and required to detail, under
such regulations as he may prescribe an officer or
officers in the quarermasters department to
supply the deficiency, and when the paymasters
have all died. been dismissed, resigned, or been
retired as hereiubefore stated, the payment of the
army shall be wholly transferred to the quarter
masters department, under such regulations as
the secretary of war may prescribe. whenever,
however vacancy occurs in the Office Of the pay
master general, the drtes of that office shalt de-
| yolye on the next officer in rank in the pay
| department.
He advocated his amendment, stating that
for an army of 1850 men there were fifty
five paymasters and fifty-four paymasters
clerks. 1t was well known that during the
war there was scarcely volunteerpaymaster
who did not pay as many men as were now
in the whole army.
Mr.. Upson of Texas opposed the amend
ment, contending that under its operations
| there would be many more cases of robbery
and theft than had been witnessed in the past.
| Pending action on the amendment, Mr..
Hewitt gave notice of an amendment which
| he would offer to the clause regulating the
! 4 D.. - a..
companies for army transportation, providing
that if any company shall deem that the COM
pensation allowed is not fair and reasonable
it may bring suit in the court of claims
against the United States to recover such
further sum as shall be required to provide
a fair and reasonable compensation. 1t shall
have the right of appeal to the United States
and both courts shall give its cause 'prece.
dence of all other business.
Mr. Dunn, of Arkansas, gave notice of an
amendment directing the secretary of war tc
fix the rates which shall be allowed not to ex
ceed however, the rates paid to other com
panies. The question recurring on Mr.
Brownies amendment the vote stood 81 to
and Mr. Upson raised the point of "no quo
rum" The roll was then called and disclosed
the presence of only 129 members The com
mittee rose and reported the absentees to tn,
house.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS.
The speaker announced the appointment o
Mr.. Hit, of Illinois, on the committee ON for
eign affairs, and Mr., Mclean, of Missouri, OIL
the committee on pensions, bounty, and bacl
pay.
THE PACIFIC RAILWAY QUESTION.
Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas, obtained leave t,
have printed a proposed amendment to th
army appropriation bill, providing that th
compensation Of the Pacific railway for arm,
transportation at two cents per mile for pas
sengers and one cent per ton per mile 70
freight. There were twenty eight leaves of alb
sence granted making total of 13l member
absent on leave, and then the house at Az
adjourned, the common understanding bein)
that no business will be transacted to-mor
row. but no formal agreement to that effec
was made.
The Japanese Prince.
1t was expected that Prince Arsugawa, tn
distinguished japanese whose contemplate,
visit to Washington was mentioned in TIL
REPUBLICAN some time ago, would arrive.ii
the city last night, and rooms for himself AM