New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-01


TIME LOST IN DEBATE-MR. wPHEBsoN's
VIEWS.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON Jan. 3l.-Whe brave men are ex-
cosed to untold dangers, etarving, perhaps, and
hourly facing death, Congress spends days in dis
eussing the question whether volunteers shall go to
the relief of Greely whether the President shall
be given power to select the men he thinks best
fitted to perform this duty. The Senate has adj
journed until Monday; the House will fight the
second battle of Bull Run over
again in debate tomorrow and Saturday;
decision upon the Greedy reliet bill can, therefore,
not be reached until the beginning of next week
and then only if in the meantime the new confer
ence committee, which the Senate appointed to-
day. after refusing to adopt the report of the first
oue can see It's way clear to maintain the dignity
of the Senate by insisting upon the adoption OF Mr.
Sausbury's amendment and refusing to yield to the
House. While this is going on the Democrats In
the Senate will probably attempt to reopen
the discussion on the question OF
authorizing the President to expend an unlimited
amount of money for the proposed expedition, as
provided in the present bill. Ii they should sue
coed In this it will be difficult to say when decs-
ion will be reached.
FAvoRING THE CONFERENCE REPORT.
At the close of the morning hour, Mr.. Hale called
up the report Of the conference committee signed
by himself and Mr.. Miller, of California. bespoke
warmly in favor of adopting 1t, pointing out the
fecessity for prompt and decisive action by
Congress. There need be no fear, he
eaid that anybody would be compelled to go
against his will, but he thought that the President
through the Secretary of the Navy, ought 10 have
the power to search the service for the best for
the expedition. Mr.. Hoar agreed with Nr. Hale
and said that he had come TO the conclusion that
the House was right in this matter. Mr. Plumb sug-
gested that it might be well to detail the officers
who are TO join the expedition, but the rank and
fle he thought, ought TO be composed
of volunteers. The officers always received
all the credit and fame on such occasions and the
men none. Mr.. Miller. of California, strongly de-
Tended the report Of the conferees and Mr.. Frye
asserted that most so-c called fororn hopes manned
by volunteers had turned out failures. In four
cases out of five he added, the right kind Of men
for the proposed service could not be got under the
volunteer system.
Mr. SALISBURY OF HIS ORIGINAL OPINION.
Mr.. Salisbury announced himself as still uncon-
veTted to the opinion of the House and that of the
majority of the Senate conference committee
He resented the interference the part of the
Secretary of the Navy in "telegraphing" TO the
House TO defeat the will of the Senate, soon as
the Senate had agreed upon the proposition to send
volunteers only. Mr.. Mcpherson favored the rejec-
would not concur in it. The provision in the bill
which authorized the President or the Secretary
of the Navy to expend an unlimited amount of
money in fitting out this expedition was one which,
for Sublime audacity and hold impudence,"
was without a rival. Upon vote to agree to the
report of the conference committee, the nays were
27 and the yeas 20.
Mr.. MCPHERSON ATTACKS THE BILL.
The result announced, Mr.. Mcpherson again at
an II.
heard of to appropriate an unlimited amount of
money and virtually give the Secretary Of the Navy
power 10 expend it as he pleased, while Congress
was in session and able to vote any additional
sum required Ii would be injustice to
the taxpayers and it would be far better |
TO go 70 work at once and frame q new |
BILL limiting the amount TO fixed sum, than to at
ficult to ascertain the amount needed quickly. In
1850 il did not take the Secretary of the Navy two
Coast. what was needed. Under the, provisions of
the bill as it now stood, the Secretary
might give some favored contractor a com
didO send to the e North Pole. Being reminded by Mr.,
Allison of the tact that the bill originated in
replied that he didn't care whether it did or not.
He held his commission from the people of New-Jer-
sey and TO them alone he was responsible.
MIR. HALE DEFENDS TIE BILL.
Mr. Hale declared with some feeling that this
the work of the House, before committee Of which
both the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the
Navy appeared to give their views as to the best
way to relieve Greedy and his party. The Secretary
of the Navy had interest in the blll other than
that which belonged to an honorable, high-mnded
and efficient public officer.
Messrs. Cameron and Mcpherson engaged in q
discussion of the bill now that the Senate had re-
fused to adopt the report of the conference com
mittee Mr. Cameron thought it was dead : Mr..
Mcpherson regarded it in the light OF suspended
case of animation. Mr.. Sherman was of the Opin-
ion that il would be discourteOus to the House TO
introduce a new bill at this time He was in favor
of sending volunteers only. He thought it wrong
10 send man upon such dangerous and hazard
Gus expedition against his will.
Mr.. Mcpherson disclaimed any intention to be
diScourteous TO the House, and after some remarks
covering much the same grOund taken by him be-
fore, moved that vote be taken upon the motion
10 appoint "a conference committee. The
tion agreed TO without dissenting vote, and
a committee appointed by the chair consisting of
Messrs Hale, Sherman and Salisbury.
Later in the day Mr. Mcpherson introduced bill, |
the same in substance as that which is now under
consideration but which restricts the amount to lie
expended to $500000.
ST. JoHN's, n. F., Jan. 3l.-The Newfoundland ,
sealing steamer Bear sold to-day TO the AmeT-
can Government for the corning GTeely Relief Ex-
peditlon She is of the age and tonnage, and
ot the same build, the lost PrOteus. She leaves
ct. Johns for New-York a week hence.
GARFIELD AND FITZ JOHN PORTER.
nzyW