The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-23
THE HOUSE.
Bills Observation-Disclosures Amendment of
the Naval Bill.

Bills Observation-Disclosures Amendment of
the Naval Bill.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-Immediately after the
reading of the journal, Mr.. Hiscock called for the
regular order, and refused to yield to several
Republican members, who desired to ask unani-
nous consent, reminding them that there had
been a caucus on Friday afternoon.
Under the call of States a number OF bills were
introduced and referred, among them one by MIR.
ROsecrans empowering journalistic writers to
procure Copyrights and receive protection after
their articles have been published. and one by
Mr.. Willets, of Michigan, for further suppression
of bigamy and polygamy,
On motion of MIR. Caswell, of Wisconsin. a
joint resolution was passed appropriating $780,
900 to continue the Work of the census bureau.
A bill was passed to repeal the license tax on
commercial travellers in the District of Column
bia.
The House then went into of the
whole on the naval appropriation bill, Mr.. Page,
of California, in the chair.
Mr.. Blount, of Georgia, in a speech opposed
the clause for selection Of officers to be promoted
to the grade of rear admiral by a board, itself
selected by the Secretary of the Navy.
The bill was read by sections for amendments.
Mr.. Knott, of Kentucky, offered an amend
Inent changing the title of the grade of midship-
shiplnen now on the list shall constitute the
junior grade of ensigns. Adopted.
Also, an amendment changing the title OF the
grade of master to that OF lieutenant, and pro-
viding that masters now on the list shall cOnsti-
tute the junior grade of llentenants. Adopted.
MI. Thomas, of Illinois, offered an amendment
providing that the eight chiefs of bureaus shall
receive no additional rank or pay above their
regular rank, or the relative rank of the staff of
the navy. Agreed Uo-S6 to 80.
Mr.. Knott offered an amendment providing
that officers OF the medical, pay and engineer
corps, except those holding the grade of lieu
tenant, shall receive the same pay as is now al
lowed by law, under similar circumstances, to
officers OF the line, with whom such officers hold
relative rank,
Mr.. Knott advocated the amendment as a mat
ter of simple Justice to the line officers, and 1t
would be d saving of$1o0,O 900 a year to the gov
eminent.
After a long discussion upon a point Of order,
the amendment was ruled in order.
On q vote the amendment was lost-yeas SO,
navs 80.
Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana, offered an amendment
providing that no further original appointments
or paymaster OF the Navy shall be made, bnt,
when vacancies occur, officers of the line shall
be detained to perform the duties OF paymasters
without extra pay.
Mr.. Hepburn, OF Iowa. offered as a substitute
a proviso that every officer in charge Of a vessel
or navy yard belonging to the United States
shall be detailed by the Secretary of the Navy
to pay the officers and men under his command
and that alter the Both OF June, 1888, all nav
directors. pay inspectors and paymasters shall
he mustered out of the service with full pay for
one year.
Mr.. Knott also offered a substitute prohibiting
further promotions TO any grade of the nav
corps, but whenever a vacancy shall Occnr In
any grade n suitable officer shall he detailed from
the line TO discharge the duties thereof.
Pending discussion. and without completing
consideration of the first paragraph of the bill,
the rose,
Mr. Robson moved that when the House next
goes into committee of the whole on the nayil
bill, all debate on paragraphs and pending amend
ments be limited To fifteen minutes. The vote
resulted-yeas 20, nays SO.
Mr. Robson then. saying that 1t seemed evil
dent the gentlemen on the other side desired to
flibusIer in order to delay the business of the
session. moved that the House adjourn.
Mr.. sparks The gentleman has no right to
mako any such statement, and no knows 1t.
AdiOuTnA1.