National Republican., 1883-01-19
THE HOUSE.

Mr. Kasson, of Iowa, offered n resolution at
the beginning of business yesterday, that dur
ing the remainder of the session each of tho
following committees shall be entitled to one
day for the consideration of one or more bills
approved by it: Judiciary, commerce, foreign
affairs, naval affairs, territories, and public
lands. Referred to the committee on rules.
Mr.. Anderson, from tho committee on post
offices and post roads, reported back the reso-
luton calling on the secretary of war for in
formation rs to what telegraph lines have
been built under his direction by the army,
what disposition has been made of the same,
and upon what terms. Adopted.
Mr.. Pound called up the resolution of
which he had previously given notice, so to
amend the rules of the house as to provide
that during the remainder of the session it
shall be in order in the morning hour to con-
slider bills reported favorably from the stand
ing committees.
On motion of Mr.. Knott, the resolution was
referred to the committee on rules.
The morning hour having been dispensed
with, Mr.. Robson moved to go into commit
tee Of the whole on
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Mr.. Butterworth inquired whether it was
In order 70 raise the question Of consideration B.
his purpose being Co move to proceed to buSi-
ness on the speakers table.
Mr.. Anderson. For what purpose?
Mr.. Butterworth. For the purpose Of nfiordlng
relief TO the country.
Mr.. Humphrey. Railways ready relief.
Mr., Butterworth stated that his purpose
was to reach the bonded extension" bill.
The speaker said that the question of con-
sideration could be determined by the vote on
Mr.. RObeson's motion.
Mr.. Robesons motion was agreed to--yeas,
143, nays 81; and the house at IL o'clock went
into committee of the whole (Mr. Page of
California, in the chair) on the naval appro-
priation bill.
Mr. Robson explained that the bill was the
ordinary appropriation bill, with the addition
of some legislation which had been agreed to
last session by the house, but failed to receive
the assent of the senate, and with two or
three additional provisions Of importance.
Ono of the items of legislation to which the
senate had refused to give its concurrence,
and which appeared in this bill, was that
gradually abolishing the rank of commodore.
The commodore was an extraordinary animal
in the servicc-toO big TO command n ship and
too small to command fleet. 1t was pro.
vided that when vacancy shall occur in the
grade of rear admiral u board of three officers,
to be convened by tho secretary of tho navy,
shall select the names of five Off GERS not be-
low the grade of captain, one of whom shall
be nominated by the president to fill the va
| cancy but in order to do no injustice to
any individual ii was further provided that
the senior commodore over whom u
junior in rank was promoted, might be placed
upon the retired list with the rank of rear
admiral. This would tend to put the youth
and blood of the service upon the top of the
list. He next discussed the provision making
sea service q prerequisite for promotion among
naval officers, contending that it was reform
in the service, and would make an officer
| anxious to go to sea, instead of using political
and personal influence to stay at home. To
him, personally, 1t made no difference whether
this reform was entered upon or not. Within
the lapse of a few months he would pass from
these scenes, without further influence, good
or bad, on legislation in this house, but he
would say land he challenged dispute from
any source) that so long as he had endeavored
to promote legislation here, he had done so in
the interest of the country. No man could
put his finger on any public act Of his in this
house that had not been in the direction of
the public good. He confessed that he had
the courage of his opinions, and that ho had
pursued the path Of duty without turning
aside for fear or favor
The bill appropriated $3.50 900 for the COM
pletion of the double turreted monitors. and
Sl,30O,OO0 for the construction of two steel
cruisers and dispatch boat; and the commit
tee on appropriations had been ablc to do so
without materially increasing the apprOpria-
ti0ns for the naval service.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. RObesOn's speech
he stated that he bad been Informed of
THE DEATH or j. W. sHACKELFoRD,
of North Carolina, and moved that the COM
mittee rise The motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Vance, of North Carolina, then an
nounced to the house the death of his coll
league, and as a token of respect to the mem-
ory of the deceased tho house at 1885 ad-
iourned, the speaker announcing the appoint
ment of Mcssrs. Latham Hubbs Leedom,
Mckenzie, and Denote as a funeral escort.
The following is
THE NEGATIVE VOTE on MR.. RoBEsoN's
MOTTpN