Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-19

lngton and claimants outside, pointed very
strongly to the suspicion that there might be
some collusinn between parties in the post
once department and certain claim agents in
Washington, particularly, or such agent who
assumed to be above not only the department
but Congress itself, and dictated to the claim
ants what portion of their claims they should
pay him. Mr.. Chace believed that the post
master general owed to himself and to the
department to take such action as should re-
lleve the department from the grave suspc-
ion that rested on it in connection with those
claims. Claims against the government, Mr..
Chace added, should need no agent for their
presentation or payment.
Mr.. Chace's resolution was agreed to-
The Senate then proceeded TO the consid-
Grafton of bills on the calendar on the five
minute rule.
On reaching the Fitz John Porter bill it
was agreed to be made special order for
next Thursday.
Mr.. Platts resolution, providing for open
executive sessions, was objected to and went
over.
Mr. Vance's bill to repeal the civil service
law, was, on motion of MIR. Hawley, indefi-
nitely postponed; yeas 33, nays 6.
Among the bills passed were the following:
The House bill reducing from eight cents
to five cents on domestic money orders for
sums not exceeding S..
A bill to promote postal and commercial
relations with foreign countries. (This is
Mr.. Frye's bill. providing for the payment of
so cents on mile for carrying foreign mails
of the United States.)
A bill to increase the efficiency of the army
of the United States. (This is Mr.. Logan's
amhnded bill from which is omitted the pro-
vision in the regular bill for the increase of
the army, which gave rise TO so much debate
few days age.)
A bill to provide for the appointment and
fix salary of the United States judge for the
southern district of Alahama caused some de-
bate and MIR. Logan moved an amendment to
the pending bill to make all such salaries
$4,000 year.
Objection being made the bill went over.
At 55 the Senate went into executive
session.
At 500 the doors were reopened and the
Senate adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Belmont of New York, from the COM
mittee on foreign affairs, reported back the
consular and diplomatic appropriation bill
with the recommendation that certain of the
Senate amendments thereto be concurred in.
The report was agreed to.
Mr.. Belmont also reported back the mes
sage of the President on the subject of the
Inauguration of the statue of "Liberty en-
tightening the world" and it was referred to
the committee on appropriations.
Mr.. Anderson offered a resolution prOvid-
ing for the final adjournment of Congress at
noon on Saturday, June Sd. Referred to the
committee on ways and means.
Mr.. O'Neill, from the committee on labor,
reported bill granting leaves of absence
to employees at the U. S. navy yards. House
calendar.
Private business having been dispensed
with, the House went into committee of the
whole on the naval appropriation bill.
The Stanton debate was continued by Mr..
Hepburn of Iowa, who severely criticised Mr..
Wheeler's speech on the late secretary of
war, and declared that he could not tamely
submit to have men who were embalmed in
the hearts of their countrymen, and whose
memory was revered, derlded by such as the
gentleman from Alabama.
He gave way for Mr.. Kelley of Pennsvl-
vania, who read the following letter from
Stanton to Rev. H. Dyer, under date of Nov.
Is, 1862:
"Your note of the 1lth inst. has RENAME
unanswered because of pressure of busines,
which left neither time nor strength to re-
spond. When Gen. Mcclellan failed to obey
the order of the President to move against
the enemy, given Oct. l, l thought he ought
to be removed upon the spot. Nearly a
month-time enough to have had victorious
camp-was lost by his disobedience of orders.
When his creatures and those who are ene-
mics of the country undertook to apologize
for his delay by the false pretence that he
needed supplies that were held from him by
the war department, my duty to the country
required the exposure of the falsehood, and 1
demanded report on the subject from the
e general-in-chief. 1t is not my fault that he
wa. not removed before the New York elec-
his disobedence of orders.
In respect to any combination by Chase,
Seward and myself against Gen. Mcclellan,
it is utterly false. For reasons not necessary
to mention fire and water would as soon COM
bine. Each does his duty as he deems right.
In respect to the imputaton of selfish or am
bilious motives, denial is needless. Those
who make the imputation, do it ignorant of
my principles of action, or with prejudiced
feelings, and like all other public men l must
expect and patiently bear misconstruction and
false report. In respect to the present con-
d,tion of affairs, all can say is that the whole
power of the government is being put forth
with more vim, and 1 think more esrnestness,
on the part of military commanders than at
any former period.
Treason is encouraged in northern states by
the Just discomfort of the people, but believ-
ing our national destiny is as immediately in
the hands of the Most High, as ever were
the children of Israel, l am not only undis-
MAYED but full of hope. For myself, turning
neither to the right or to the left. serv ng no
man and at emnity with none, shall strive
to perform my whole duty in the great work
before US. Mistakes and faults, no doubt,
may commit, but the purpose OF my actions
shall be single to the public good"
Mr.. Wise of Virginia requested that the
gentleman from Alabama, MIR. Wheeler, had
furnished the gentlemen from Iowa, Mr..
Stephenson, with opportunity to fight over
M. Henderson of Iowa defended his col
leagne.
The consideration of the naval appropria-
tion bill was resumed in the committee OF the
whole.
n--x.1lo Mama unmarried the Qeu-