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determined upon in those two acts of Congress, and praying that a similar bill may be passed and enacted into a law at the present session of Congress. I move that it be referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. The motion was agreed to.

Mr. MORGAN. I present the petition of William C. Bryant, Henry W. Longfellow, Horace Greeley, John A. Dix,U.S. Grant, Joseph Henry, Peter Cooper, George Bancroft, Henry J. Raymond, Stephen H. Tyng, Jonathan Sturges, William M. Evarts, and many others, citizens of New York and elsewhere, asking Congress to appropriate money for the founding and support of a National Home for the totally disabled soldiers and sailors in the Army and Navy of the United States. In consideration of the importance of the subject and the high character of the memorialists, I ask that this petition be printed and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. It may be printed by unanimous consent. The Chair hears no objection. The order to print will be made, and the petition will be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia.

Mr. RAMSEY presented the memorial of B. A. Froiseth, praying for further legislation to encourage foreign immigration; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. ANTHONY presented additional papers in relation to the claim of George W. Hall and others, owners of the bark A One, praying for indemnification for alleged losses occasioned by the seizure of that vessel at Philadelphia on the 18th of December, 1863; which were referred to the Committee on Claims.

BILL INTRODUCED.

Mr. FOOT asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to introduce a joint resolution (S. No. 80) in relation to the distribution of prize money; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. BILLS REFERRED.

On motion of Mr. SHERMAN, it was Ordered, That the bill (S. No. 350) to authorize the purchase or construction of revenue cutters on the lakes be referred to the Committee on Finance.

On motion of Mr. LANE, of Kansas, it was Ordered, That the bill (S. No. 351) for the relief of the officers and soldiers of the militia of the States of Kansas and Missouri in repelling the late invasion of those States by the rebel forces under General Sterling Price, and for other purposes, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia.

On motion of Mr. LANE, of Indiana, it was Ordered, That the bill (S. No. 352) authorizing the holding of a special session of the United States district court for the district of Indiana, and for other purposes, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

On motion of Mr. LANE, of Indiana, it was Ordered, That the bill (S. No. 353) to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the Metropolitan Railroad Company, in the District of Columbia," approved July 1, 1864, be referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. REFERENCE OF PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. On motion of Mr. SHERMAN, it was Ordered, That so much of the President's message as relates to the financial affairs of the United States be referred to the Committee on Finance.

ADJOURNMENT TO MONDAY.

On motion of Mr. DOOLITTLE, it was Ordered, That when the Senate adjourn to-day it be to meet on Monday next.

CONDUCT OF GENERAL PAINE AT PADUCAII. Mr. POWELL. I move that the resolution I introduced yesterday be now taken up.

The motion was agreed to, and the Senate proceeded to consider the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed, if not Incompatible with the public interest, to transmit to the Senate the report and evidence taken by a military commission, of which Brigadier General Speed S. Fry was president, appointed to investigate the conduct of Brigadier General Paine, United States Army, in and about Paducah, Kentucky.

Mr. TRUMBULL. I should like to inquire of the Senator from Kentucky whether he is aware of the character of the report which he has asked to be communicated to the Senate? I know that the resolution leaves it in the discretion of the Secretary of War to communicate the information or not, as he shall deem the public interest may justify; and I have full faith in the judicious ex

from that place, and were not present when the commission made the investigation.

Mr. JOHNSON. Is he now in the service? Mr. POWELL. In reply to the Senator from Maryland I will say that I have seen it stated in the newspapers that he has resigned, and his resignation has been accepted; but whether the fact is so or not I do not know.

I can say to the Senator from Illinois, without having any personal knowledge of the facts connected with General Paine and his administration in and about the city of Paducah, that if a tithe of the reports I have heard be true his of fenses are such as should cause him to be brought before a military court and dealt with in the harshest manner. As I before stated, I have no personal knowledge of these facts, but I hear them from such sources as to cause me to give them full faith and credit. I believe that General Paine had notice of the assembling of this commission, and that he purposely avoided meeting the inves

ercise of any discretion vested in the War Depart ment. I do not suppose that the Secretary of War would communicate anything for publication which it was improper to have published; but I should like to inquire of the Senator from Kentucky whether this report of a commission, as it is denominated in the resolution, which investigated the conduct of General Paine, is a report made by a commission of which General Paine had any notice whatever, or whether it is merely the private report of some officers designated, not by the Secretary of War, but by some officer in the field, making some inquiries in regard to General Paine's conduct in Kentucky and reporting it to the War Department for its private information, and the report of a commission that General Paine never knew anything about, and never had any opportunity to appear before. If it be a report of that character, I presume the Senator from Kentucky would be just as far as any other Senator from wishing to publish an ex parte report, made in the dark, reflecting upon any person. There-tigation. fore I think that this report, if it is of that character, ought not to be communicated for publication, and, unless the Senator from Kentucky is already advised as to the character of the report which was made by the commission, that this resolution ought to be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and let them inquire into it. I myself am very much opposed, and think it unjust to the character of any officer in the field, that a report with regard to his conduct, made out by a commission of which he had no knowledge, ex parte, and in the dark, should be published to the country to his prejudice.

Mr. POWELL. It will afford me very great pleasure to give the Senator from Illinois and the Senate all the information that I have on the subject of this report. I do not know what is in the report. I heard some persons who claimed to know state what was in it, and I have seen

Mr. TRUMBULL. If the Senator will allow me, I did not ask what was in the report, but whether it was a report made without the knowledge of General Paine.

Mr. POWELL. I understood the Senator's question, and will endeavor to answer it. I have understood from persons in that locality, some of whom seemed to have some cognizance of the character of this report, that it contains such evidence as convicts this man, General Paine, of the most outrageous barbarities and cruelties that were ever inflicted on any people in any Christian or civilized age, and not only General Paine, but some of his subordinate officers, and some citizens, even, outside. Some of the citizens of that region of country seem to have been engaged in them. I have seen and conversed with persons who were present when this commission was in session, and from those persons I have learned the character of the evidence to some extent. It has also been a matter of a good deal of discussion in the newspapers in Kentucky. I understand that General Paine did have notice of the sitting" of this commission; that he was notified that the commission was to come and assemble at the town of Paducah; and that he absented himself and took away his staff officers and others, who were equally guilty with himself. I understand from the report that there is no supposition about it, but that all the damning crimes with which this man is charged are fully proven.

Mr. DOOLITTLE. I will inquire of the Senator what General Paine he refers to.

Mr. POWELL. General Paine, of Illinois, I understand. I do not know the person. I never

saw him.

Mr. DOOLITTLE. There is a General Paine of my own State, and I desire not to have any impression go out that may involve him. He certainly is not the General Paine that the Senator alludes to.

Mr. POWELL. I understand that the General Paine to whom the resolution refers is from Illinois. I do not know him, and I have no personal knowledge of the facts of the case. What

state in regard to him is upon information which I have received from others. Whether the statement I have made is true or not I am not prepared to say; for, as I said before, I have no personal knowledge of the case. I understand that General Paine had notice of the fact of the meeting of this commission before it met at Paducah; but he and others implicated absented themselves

I think the resolution should be adopted so that the evidence may be given to the country. I think those parties who have been guilty of the offenses charged ought to be held up to the scorn and contempt of the community. If they are innocent they ought to have an opportunity of meeting the charges and making their innocence manifest. I desire no ex parte statements published to injure any man. I desire that all men

shall have meted out to them exact and evenhanded justice. I hope, for the honor of the country and for the honor of the service, that this man Paine and others who are charged with having committed offenses in that region of the country may prove themselves innocent; but I firmly believe they will not be able to do so. The proof is most positive against them, and I understand that it is contained in this very record for which I ask. I hope the resolution will be adopted.

mor.

Mr. TRUMBULL. Mr. President, I have usually voted in favor of resolutions of inquiry, and am as much in favor of exposing the improper conduct of officers as the Senator from Kentucky; but it appears that the Senator from Kentucky is not informed at all on this subject, except by ruHe has heard that General Paine absented himself from this commission. He admits that General Paine was not before the commission that made this report; but he has understood that he absented himself. I have understood that General Paine knew nothing about it; that this is a private, secret report of some officers, perhaps inimical to General Paine, before whom he has never appeared at all, and of whose report he had no knowledge whatever. The Senator from Kentucky has heard reports prejudicial to the character of General Paine. I have heard a very good account of General Paine, and the only complaint I ever heard in regard to him, from any source, was that coming from the enemies of the country, that he dealt with traitors and rebels in Kentucky as they deserved to be dealt with, and protected Union men. He was too severe upon the enemies of the country, in the opinions of the enemies themselves.

Sir, I do not propose to discuss General Paine's conduct. I am not sufficiently advised to do so. He is from my State; and I thought it unjust to him that a report should be published to the world reflecting upon him, (if it does so; I know not how that may be, for I know nothing that is in the report;) a report made by men acting in secret, and before whom General Paine never appeared, and never had an opportunity to appear, so far as I have been informed.

I move the reference of this resolution to the Committee on Military Affairs, and let them inquire; and if there is a report made that reflects upon General Paine and shows that he has committed outrages-a report by a competent tribunal before which he has had an opportunity to appear and defend himself-I shall be the last man to seek to cover it up, and I shall unite with the Senator from Kentucky in exposing his conduct and bringing him to punishment; but before any such publication shall be made, I want the committee to inquire and ascertain whether this is a secret ex parte report that it is sought to publish to the country, and if it is, I am opposed to the publication of any such document.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on the motion of the Senator from Illinois, to

refer the resolution to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia.

Mr. POWELL. I hope this resolution will not be referred. The Senator speaks of the investigation having been held in secret. Why, sir,⠀⠀ there was no secrecy about it. It was a matter of notoriety in all the public journals of the West that this investigation was going on. The commission was appointed by the military authorities in that region of the country, as I understand. It was conducted by three officers of the Army of the United States, one of the rank of brigadier general, and the other two I think of the rank of colonel. The people in that region of country were invited to come up and make known all the facts touching and concerning the conduct of this

man.

Mr. JOHNSON. Who ordered the commission?

In

Mr. POWELL. The military authorities, I understand. Brigadier General Fry was president of the tribunal, and Colonel Brown and Colonel Brannock, I think, were the associates. That was the manner in which the investigation was conducted. I am told that it was not secret. the newspapers of the day, the general account was that General Paine was notified, but that he left and did not appear before the commission. I have no doubt that when the facts contained in the report shall be made known, they will reflect very severely on the conduct of General Paine and of others in and out of the military service. I understand that such is the character of the evidence, and I think it is meet and proper that the report with the evidence should be published.

The Senator speaks of entering into a vindication of General Paine from the assaults made upon him. I did not intend at this time to make any assault upon General Paine, and I shall make none now; but if the proper time for it shall come and the necessity for it shall exist, I think I shall be prepared to make an assault upon General Paine. Indeed, when the facts touching his administration at Paducah, and in and about Gallatin, Tennessee, shall be published, I think no man will be under the necessity of making an assault; I think the facts themselves will be crushing. I have in my possession some documents touching his administration in Tennessee, obtained from a gentleman of the very highest authority. I shall not introduce them here now, because I do not think this is the proper time; but I want the country to know what have been the actings and doings of these officials in that region.

The Senator says that General Paine has only ⚫been too severe on rebels, the enemies of the country. How does he know that? Only from report and rumor about this man's administration. have no complaint to make against General Paine for what he may have done to rebels, but I want to see what have been his actings and doings in regard to loyal men, not only as to their persons, but as to their property, for I understand that he has made very free use of the property of other people. These allegations are made. I want to see the evidence, to learn whether they are true or false. As I before said, I personally know nothing about General Paine or about these transactions; but he is represented as a heartless monster, and a robber of the people whom I have the honor in part to represent; and where men have violated the just laws of war, and trampled upon the rules of common honesty and common decency to the detriment and injury of my constituents, I deem it my duty in every proper manner to have the facts laid before the country in order that the guilty culprits shall be held up to the scorn and contempt of honest men. For that reason, and in order that the public service may be promoted, and that all in future may take warning by the infamy that shall attach to this man provided he has been guilty of the offenses charged against him, I want this evidence laid before the country. I should suppose that no friend of the Government would wish to withhold from the people evidence in regard to the conduct of its officials of such a character as every Senator here who has read the public journals must know the testimony is in relation to this man, General Paine. I do not know whether General Paine is guilty or not; I know that I have heard from innumerable persons in that region of the country that he is guilty, and I know that the public press has charged him most distinctly and

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explicitly during the last two or three months with guilt, and that, too, on the assertions of gentlemen who were engaged in this commission taking the evidence

I can see no good reason for referring the resolution to the Military Committee or any other committee. The resolution is carefully worded. If the Secretary of War should, in his discretion, think it would not be proper to give this testimony to the country, he can withhold it. It is left to his discretion, and I so framed the resolution for a purpose. I thought that per possibility the Government might wish to arrest some of the persons implicated in this record, and I did not wish to give them a chance to escape. If there are such persons at large it would be manifestly improper to publish the testimony, and hence the resolution leaves it to the discretion of the Secretary of War to give us the record or not, at his pleasure. I suppose, however, that the names of all or nearly all the persons implicated in these transactions have been before the country in the newspapers for months back. I know that the papers in Kentucky and in the gentleman's own State-Illinois-have been teeming with articles on this very subject. I trust the Senate will not hesitate to call for the record which is on file in the War Department.

itary commission has ever sat upon the conduct of General Paine before whom he has appeared or had any opportunity to appear, or of whose sessions he has known anything; but somebody, inimical to General Paine, has got together a commission out in Kentucky somewhere, and made reports to the War Department reflecting upon his conduct in the management of his department, whatever it was, while he was in command there, as I understand.

Now, my proposition is that this resolution (which seeks to bring this partial, ex parte, inquis itorial report before the country for the purpose of damaging a man who has never had an opportunity to appear before the tribunal) shall first go to the Committee on Military Affairs that they may inquire at the War Department, and if it is a report that is proper to be communicated to the Senate, if it is a report made after investigation, where the party has had an opportunity to exculpate himself and he has not done so, let it be called for and published to the country, and let him take the consequences of his misconduct. The very object which the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. POWELL] has in view is not an investigation of the conduct of General Paine. The other Senator from Kentucky [Mr. DAVIS] speaks of it as if General Paine was on trial; but that is not the question; that is not the proposition before the Senate. The simple proposition here is to call out for publication an ex parte, inquisitorial report of some unauthorized commission, or, if authorized, probably authorized by some subordinate officer, but not authorized by the War Department. I am opposed to having any such report published or called for, as I understand this to be. But if I am mistaken as to the character of the report the Committee on Military Affairs can recommend the passage of the resolution, and the report can be called for.

Mr. JOHNSON. The Senator will permit me to ask him whether General Paine has requested a court of inquiry or a court-martial since the supposed report was made.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. President, I have read the report that was made by the commission referred to in the resolution, and it involves, if true, not only offenses but crimes of the deepest dye. I do not know whether the report be true or false. I should be exceedingly gratified if it were to turn out to be untrue, and if General Paine was guiltless of the offenses imputed to him in that report. I would now suggest to my colleague that it seems to me a discretion in relation to giving or withholding the report ought not to be confided to the Secretary of War. I think that discretion should never be confided to or exercised by any other officer than the President of the United States. It seems to me, too, that the Senate has the right to call for, and that there is a propriety in its having access to, any report that is made by a military commission and returned to the War Office. I therefore suggest that this report be called for, and after it is received by the Senate the Senate may make such disposition of it as it may please. If justice to General Paine requires that the report, when it is made to the Senate by the War Office, shall be referred to the Military Com- || mittee, it may then take that course, and the Military Committee would be authorized, as I think they ought to be, in justice to General Paine, especially as the investigation was made in his absence, to reinvestigate the truth of the charges and imputations made against him in the report. I think the Senate ought to call for the report, and that, when the report is made to the Sanate,tunity to appear before the commission, I thought at the instance of any Senator whatever it should be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs for its examination and a report upon that report, and to hear additional testimony exculpatory of General Paine, if he or any of his friends desire that such proof shall be heard.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on the motion to refer the resolution to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. POWELL. On that question I call for the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

Mr. TRUMBULL. The Senator from Kentucky [Mr. PowELL] speaks of this report as a "record," and of "evidence," and both the Senators from Kentucky tell us that this was an examination in the absence of General Paine. It is wrong to designate it as evidence or a record at all. One of the Senators tells us that he has seen it. Mr. POWELL. It has been published in the

newspapers.

Mr. TRUMBULL. This report has been published already! It is a very singular proceeding. I have never seen it, and I never will be a party to the publication, by the Senate, of a report reflecting upon any man, that is got up in his absence, and without an opportunity for him to exculpate himself, if he is charged with offenses in that report. Now, the Senators ask to have this report communicated to the Senate; and the object is to make public, I understand one of the Senators, that which has already been published in the newspapers. I should like to know who put it there. The truth about it is that no mil

Mr. TRUMBULL. I am not aware that he has or that he knows of this report. I have had no communication with General Paine in reference to it. I know the gentleman; he is a highly respected citizen of my State; a gentleman of good reputation and standing. I know nothing about these imputations that are thrown out upon hearsay here. I have had no communication with General Paine; but inasmuch as this resolution pointed to the bringing before the public of a report which I have understood here in Washington reflects upon his conduct as a military officer in the discharge of his duties while in command in Kentucky and in Tennessee, and a report made without his knowledge, he having had no oppor

it unjust to him that any such publication should be made. If I am misinformed as to the character of this commission and the character of the report, the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom the resolution will go if my motion prevails, will ascertain how the fact is and let the report be called for and published, for I am the last person to cover up or screen the misconduct of any official.

Mr. LANE, of Indiana. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of executive busi

ness.

Mr. TRUMBULLand others. Let us dispose of this question.

EXECUTIVE SESSION.

Mr. LANE's motion was agreed to, and the Senate proceeded to the consideration of executive business; and after a short time spent in executive session the doors were reopened, and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, December 8, 1864.

The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. W. H. CHANNING. The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION.

The SPEAKER laid before the House the report of the chief of the Ordnance Bureau of the Navy Department; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

DUTY ON CIGARS.

Mr. STEVENS. I am instructed by the Committe of Ways and Means to report to the House joint resolution (H. R. No. 124) explanatory of the act entitled "An act to provide internal revenue to support the Government, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes," approved June 30, 1864; and ask its consideration at the present time.

The resolution provides that so much of the act to provide internal revenue to support the Government, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes, approved June 30, 1864, as refers to the tax or duty on cigars, shall be so construed that the tax shall be assessed on the real value, whenever the owner shall fix the value of the cigars. If the inspector or assessor shall deem such price below the real value, he may, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, take the same at the price named, to be sold for the use of the Government, under authority of the Secretary of the Treasury.

Section two provides that returns relative to cigars may be made monthly or bi-monthly, instead of weekly, as may be directed by the assessor.

Section three provides that manufacturers of cigars may have their cigars inspected and stamped, and pay the tax upon the same at any time before as well as at the time of sale. Section four provides that the stamp shall indicate the amount of tax paid or payable.

Mr. BROOKS. This is a very important bill; although I do not wish to delay whatever action may be necessary upon it, yet I would like to see the bill in a printed form.

Mr. STEVENS. The bill is already printed, but if there is any difficulty about it I would be willing to have it postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. BROOKS. It is a bill which I would like to have go before my constituents, and while upon the floor I would ask the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. STEVENS] a question. Perhaps it is premature; but as the subject is suggested by the Secretary of the Treasury, I may ask the gentleman if it is likely that there will be any change of duty upon tobacco. The Secretary of the Treasury recommends that a tax be laid upon leaf tobacco. If such a tax be laid, it will change the duty upon cigars.

Mr. STEVENS. It is not for me to say whether there will be any change. It has been recommended by the Department that a tax be laid upon leaf tobacco. The committee have had some conversation upon the subject; but the committee have not been full, and therefore have not come to any conclusion. Nor can I inform the gentleman what the action of the committee will be; much less what will be the action of this House.

1

Mr. BROOKS. Would it not be wise to wait a few days, until we have some action of the committee upon the subject of leaf tobacco, before we change the duty on cigars?

Mr. STEVENS. Although I am willing to postpone the consideration of this joint resolution, if the gentleman from New York [Mr. BROOKS] desires it, I may suggest here that, in the opinion of those best acquainted with the subject, the Government has already lost millions by the construction put upon the act of last session by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue; that the tobacco dealers, instead of paying the duty of eight dollars which the law requires, are paying, and have been paying, but three dollars upon the millions and millions of cigars which have been sold. There has, therefore, been lost to the revenue the difference between three and eight dollars per thousand upon the large amount that have been manufactured and sold, or which may be now on hand. It is in my judgment essential that this joint resolution should be speedily passed. If any gentleman desires more time to consider the subject, I will move to postpone it until to

morrow.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I presume the House will adjourn over until Monday next. I think that, after the statement which has been made by the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, [Mr. STEVENS,] we should all agree to pass this joint resolution to-day.

Mr. STEVENS. I will make a statement of the evil to be remedied; then I will not call the previous question, but allow the gentleman [Mr.

BROOKS] time to move to postpone it until a future day.

Mr. BROOKS. This is a subject upon which have but hastily considered. But I will say that, I am now quite unprepared to act, and which I

in the opinion of a large number of honest manufacturers of cigars, it will be quite impossible, under the principle of the law as it now stands, ever to have an honest taxation of cigars. The temptation to fraud is so immense, the duties are so great, and it is so impossible to detect those frauds, that with the principle by which the duty is now laid upon cigars, I do not believe there can be any legislation devised which will produce the result which the honorable gentleman suggests.

It has been suggested that it is practicable to have a stamp, like that of the post office, to be laid upon a cigar the stamp will show whether affixed to each cigar, so that whenever a duty is it has been paid or not. I have no doubt, from the best information I can obtain, that a stamp of one cent, like that used in the post office, on each cigar, will yield a larger revenue than can ever be obtained upon any principle like that contained in the old bill, or that suggested in the new

one.

One great system of fraud under the present law, and which the remedy proposed by the honorable gentleman will not correct, is the use of old cigar boxes with the stamps upon them, in which are put new cigars which have not paid duty. I think if the honorable gentleman will take a little more time he will lose nothing, but will accomplish what he and I undoubtedly both desire.

I have no personal interest in this matter, not using tobacco in any form or shape whatever, and therefore I am entirely disinterested upon this subject. But if the honorable gentleman will consult with others who are practically acquainted with the subject, and give the House due time to consider it, I think he will come to the conclusion which has struck my mind, not irrevocably, but which has impressed me with considerable force, that the true way to collect the duty on cigars is to put a stamp upon each cigar.

Mr. STEVENS. I am not ready at this time to say what is the best mode of preventing frauds; and there is the great difficulty. At present, however, the committee do not propose to attempt any alteration of the law. They propose now merely that Congress shall declare what we suppose to have been the meaning of the act of Congress of last session, in contradistinction to what we consider the very erroneous decision of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Mr. DAWES. I desire to ask my friend from Pennsylvania whether there is no way of correcting such decisions except by a joint resolution of Congress.

Mr. STEVENS. There may be some other way; but at any rate I consider this method the most effectual.

Mr. DAWES. I would suggest to my friend that the system devised in the law of last session seems, in its practical operation, to be so complicated, that, so far as I know, it is, among the cigar manufacturers of New England, found to be utterly impracticable. My friend will, I think, be very soon satisfied, in the course of the session, that this is not the only legislation that will be required upon the subject. Cigar manufacturing has been entirely, or almost entirely, stopped by the singular law of last session, or its more singular construction. The law was certainly sufficiently perplexing; but the construction of it has increased the difficulty instead of diminishing it. I have great apprehension that there will be required something more than a simple joint resolution to lead us out of this wilderness into which somebody has brought us. I hope that my friend will be patient, and will address himself and the labors of his committee to clearing up the smoke which surrounds this subject.

A MEMBER. What kind of smoke? Mr. DAWES. Cigar smoke, of course. [Laughter.]

The SPEAKER. Does the Chair understand the gentleman from New York [Mr. BROOKS] to object to the consideration of the bill at this time? If so, the bill must be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

Mr. BROOKS. I should be glad if the gentleman from Pennsylvania would agree to postpone

the bill to a given day, so that there could be a little discussion on it. I would not object to a postponement to a given day some time next week.

The SPEAKER. The Chair understands the gentleman from New York to object only to the consideration of the bill at the present time.

Mr. BROOKS. I do not desire to object; but I trust the gentleman will consent to a postponement of the bill.

Mr. STEVENS. I have already said that if the gentleman will allow me to make the statement which I desire to make, I am willing that the consideration of the bill shall be postponed.

have no desire to press the matter unduly; but I think the subject should be acted on without any unnecessary delay, because the Government, under the present construction of the law, is losing every day some thousands of dollars of revenue on the manufacture of cigars.

Mr. BROOKS. I think that if the honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania will allow the bill to be postponed until Tuesday or Wednesday next, that will be soon enough to act upon it.

Mr. STEVENS. If the gentleman will allow the bill to be taken up now, I will state the evil which, in the opinion of the committee, it is important to remedy.

The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the consideration of the bill by the House at the present time?

Mr. BROOKS. I withdraw my objection, with the understanding that after the remarks of the gentleman from Pennsylvania the bill will be postponed until Tuesday next.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, among the provisions of the act of last session are the following laying a tax on cigars:

"On cigarettes made wholly of tobacco, and also on cigars known as cheroots or short sixes, valued in each case at not over five dollars per thousand, three dollars per thousand.

"On cigars valued at over five dollars and not over fifteen dollars per thousand, eight dollars per thousand.

"On cigars valued at over fifteen dollars and not over thirty dollars per thousand, fifteen dollars per thousand. "On cigars valued at over thirty dollars per thousand and not over forty-five dollars, twenty-five dollars per thousand.

"On cigars at over forty-five dollars per tliousand, forty dollars per thousand; and the valuation of cigars herein mentioned shall in all cases be the value of the cigars, exclusive of the tax."

It is under that clause of the law that the difficulty with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue has arisen. By his construction, he has declared that we must wait until the sale of the cigars, and that if they sell for less than thirteen dollars per thousand they are subject to a tax of only three dollars, although the law says that cigars valued at over five dollars per thousand shall pay a tax of eight dollars per 'housand. The result is that all cigar, manufact、 "ers, so far as I knowcertainly all the principal manufacturers-have stopped business, and have sold out or leased their establishments to their foremen. The manufacturer sells the tobacco to his foreman, who manufactures the cigars, and in that form seils the tobacco back to the dealer, the principal man, at thirteen dollars per thousand, and on these cigars a tax of three dollars per thousand is paid; whereas it is well known to every man who knows anything about the subject that at the present price of tobacco and the present cost of manufacturing there cannot be and is not a single thousand of cigars made for less than five dollars; and therefore if they were rated at their true value they would all be subjected to a tax of eight instead of three dollars per thousand.

But, under the idea which the Commissioner takes, that you must take it for what it sells as the value-and he instructs that that is conclusive-the sale governs the inspectors and assessThen, sir, nine tenths of the cigars manu factured since the last session of this Congress up to the present day-nine tenths, I venture to say, have paid but three dollars tax.

ors.

Now, what I propose, Mr. Speaker, is that instead of the sale actually made being the conclusive value for the tax, the tax shall be assessed by experienced inspectors, and that upon the value fixed by them the tax shall be assessed, although that tax will bring it above thirteen dollars.

That is all there is of it. It construes the mode of finding out what is the value of cigars.

I provide also, what is the provision of other

Jaws, that when the inspector or assessor suspects extensive frauds by undervaluation in the sale or purchase of cigars, he shall be at liberty to take the cigars at the price fixed on them by the owner, for the use of the Government. That is the system adopted by many foreign nations where there is a suspicion of undervaluation or fraud. It allows the Government to take the cigars at the price fixed upon them by the owner. There is another reason why the present law should be amended. Making returns weekly may be very well in the large cities, but in counties as extensive as my own, where a great many hundred women and children manufacture cigars, it is very inconvenient for them to make returns every week. My proposition provides that, in the discretion of the assessor, monthly instead of weekly returns may be made.

Another evil exists under the present construction of the law: the stamp put upon cigars which pay a three-dollar tax, is an eight-dollar stamp; and they go forth to the world as having paid eight dollars when in reality they have only paid three dollars. This provides that the stamp shall state exactly what tax has been paid, and is payable, which tax shall be assessed before the sale, instead of waiting till the time of sale,

All the cigars which have been inspected since the passage of the act referred to-and there are hundreds and millions of them-have escaped the payment of the eight-dollar tax, for there is not a cigar made which, under the law, comes under the three-dollar tax.

I believe, sir, I have stated all of the evils and proposed remedies. The committee have not had time to consider all of the remedies that may be proposed. We have not seen the recommendations of the committee, although we know something of them. We will be glad to have suggestions from every member. Especially would we be indebted to the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. DAWES] for the right way of construing the law.

If the gentleman from New York [Mr. BROOKS] desires it I am now willing that the matter shall be postponed to a day certain.

The SPEAKER. The Chair will state that there are seven postponements from the last session, which will take priority.

Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, I do not see that I do not concur in the general remarks of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. The evils he speaks of are well known, and were anticipated in some degree when the law was passed. The gentleman will recollect that at the time we had some discussion on the subject in the House. It was not a full discussion, for we were necessarily required to move with rapidity.

The honest manufacturers of cigars desire an amendment of this law; there is no doubt of that; but there are great difficulties in the whole matter, and I hope the Committee of Ways and Means will take time to consult in regard to some of them, and particularly in regard to the laying of a tax upon leaf tobacco and cigars in one and the same bill and at the same time. And I hope they will take into consideration the subject of a tax upon cigars, for I am informed by men well informed, honest manufacturers of cigars, that a tax of one cent upon each cigar will yield a larger revenue than it is possible for us to get in any other way. The fact is that the tax upon cigars is so enormous here and in all countries that unless the Government takes the whole subject into its hands, as in France, and regulates the production, purchase, and sale of tobacco, it will be impossible to prevent fraud and smuggling. Smuggling of cigars is about to be, and will be, immense from the Canadas, and no law or remedy of ours can prevent that smuggling except by putting a stamp upon each cigar.

Let me make another suggestion to the honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. STEVENS.] His joint resolution provides that "whenever the owner or possessor (as agent) of cigars shall fix the value thereof, or allege a certain price for which he pretends to have purchased them or offers them for sale, if the inspector or assessor shall deem such price below the real value, he shall be at liberty to take the same at that price for the use of the Government, giving the owner or agent a certificate of the value, who shall be paid the same on presenting the certificate to the Treasurer of the United States or his deputy." Doubt

less it is well known to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and to all others, that the manufacturers of cigars are ingenious, and that the judges of cigars are few and far between, and that the assessors likely to be appointed by the Government to inspect these cigars are less likely to know anything of the subject than any other class of men who will be invested with authority upon the subject. And I should not be surprised, under that item of the bill, and under the prevailing high prices, if the royal characters of Spain should be imprinted frequently upon boxes of cigars in order to sell them to the assessors at three, four, or ten dollars more than the cigars are really worth. This is a subject which needs consideration and ought to be looked into immediately; and it is obvious to everybody who knows anything of the manufacture of cigars, that our Havana cigars, which bear so high a character for quality, are the production of the good people of Connecticut, and of tobacco grown upon the banks of the Connecticut river.

Mr. L. MYERS. I desire that a time for the consideration of this resolution shall be fixed at an early day. In my district the greatest interest is felt in the matter. The law and its construction have operated prejudicially to both the cigar manufacturers and to the Government, and the income has been greatly reduced thereby. I trust we will proceed to the consideration of the resolution at once, if an early day cannot be fixed for its discussion.

Mr. KASSON. I desire to call the attention of the gentleman from New York [Mr. BROOKS] to one or two amendments not contained in the printed copy of the bill before him, one of which is designed to meet the objection he made touching the possibility of a misvaluation upon the part of the assessor and fraud upon the part of the owner. In the bill before the House is interlined after the word "liberty," in line seventeen, the words "subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury," so that the inspector or assessor may take them subject to such approval. The object of that clause is to enable the owner, upon the one part, if injustice has been done, to appeal, or take proceedings in the nature of an appeal, to the Secretary of the Treasury, to enable him to dispose of the action of the assessor; and on the other hand to enable the assessor to take such action as, upon advice, he may deem best to secure the rights of the Government. I do not know anything safer than that. Every law is liable to be misadministered. This clause protects both.

A single word upon another point. As is well known, we expected by this measure to realize a considerable addition to the revenue. The law as passed is not the bill as it emanated from the Committee of Ways and Means. That bill, as it passed the House, was modified in the Senate, and that modification concurred in by the House. But the point of importance now to be considered is that where we ought to get eight dollars a thousand we are getting only three; and that fact every day affects essentially the revenue of the Government, as stated by the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. The great object of the action now is, not to insist upon the permanence of the system itself, but to make it effectual, leaving the whole subject of a change of the system open to the action of the House and the committee having charge of it.

I hope, therefore, with the explanations made, the House will see fit at least to send this measure to the Senate as early as possible; and I think we are justified in asking as early a day as possible for its consideration, in order that the revenue may be saved that which it is admitted we are now losing. That is the whole object and purpose of the bill.

Mr. STEVENS. As it does not seem satisfactory to the gentleman from New York to consider this matter now, I ask the unanimous consent of the House that it be considered on Monday

next.

Mr. KELLEY. Will that interfere with matters that were postponed at the last session?

The SPEAKER. It would if it should be made a special order, which would require unanimous consent. In that case it would take precedence of other business. The Chair has examined the Journal, and all the postponements from last session are simple postponements: there

are no special orders. Is there objection to this bill being postponed until Monday next and made the special order for that day?

No objection was made; and it was ordered accordingly.

ADJOURNMENT OVER.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I move that when the House adjourns to-day it adjourn to meet on Monday next.

The motion was agreed to.

RESTORATION OF CIVIL AUTHORITY.

Mr. YEAMAN. I rise to a privileged question. introduced yesterday a bill to provide for the restoration of the civil authority of the United States in certain States, and through inadvertence had it referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. The subject-matter would properly go before the Judiciary Committee. I move to reconsider the vote by which the bill was referred, with the view of giving it the proper reference.

The motion to reconsider prevailed, and the bill was then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Mr. STEVENS. I ask the unanimous consent of the House to offer resolutions distributing the President's message to the various committees. The SPEAKER. That requires unanimous

consent.

Mr. BROOKS. I do not mean to object, but I want to avail myself of some early opportunity, with the consent of the other side of the House, to make some remarks on the President's message, and I desire that opportunity in the early part of the session, before we are pressed with business.

No objection being made, the resolutions presented by Mr. STEVENS were read and agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That so much of the annual message of the President of the United States to the two Houses of Congress at the present session, together with the accompanying documents, as relates to the finances, to the public debt, to the deficiencies in the revenues of the Post Office Department, to the receipts into the Treasury, to the public expenditures, to the national and State banking institutions and a uniform currency, to provision for increasing the revenue by additional taxation, to the regulation of imposts fixed by the reciprocity treaty between Great Britain and the United States, of 5th June, 1854, to the issuing of bonds and their exemption from taxation and from seizure for debt, and for providing the ways and means for the support of the Government, be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to commerce be referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the public domain be referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the subject of telegraphs, and to the Post Office Department, be referred to the Committee on the Post Oflice and Post Roads.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the Constitution and laws of the United States, to prize on our inland waters, and to judicial proceedings, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the public expenditures be referred to the Committee on Public Expenditures.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to agriculture, and to the Department of Agriculture, be referred to the Committee on Agri

culture.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to our intercourse with the Indian tribes, and additional legislation in remodeling the whole Indian system, be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the Army of the United States, and to keeping up the military establishment of the Government, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the Navy of the United States be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to our foreign affairs, together with the accompanying correspondence in relation thereto, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the Territories of the United States be referred to the Committee on Territories.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to pensions and the Pension Bureau be referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompany. ing documents as relates to the expenditures in connection with the State Department be referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the State Department.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to expenditures in connection with the Treasury Department be referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to expenditures in connection with the War Department be referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the War Department.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to expenditures in connection with the Navy Department be referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Navy Department.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the expenditures in connection with the Post Office Department be referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the militia be referred to the Committee on the Militia.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the District of Columbia be referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to coinage, and the subject of -weights and measures, be referred to the Committee on a Uniform System of Coinage, Weights, and Measures.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to Pacific railroads be referred to the Committee on the Pacific Railroad.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to roads and canals be referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to emancipation be referred to the Committee on Emancipation.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to immigration be referred to the Committee on Immigration.

Resolved, That so much of said message and accompanying documents as relates to the duty of the United States to guaranty a republican form of government to the States in which the governments recognized by the United States have been abrogated or overthrown be referred to the Committee on the Rebellious States.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

Several messages in writing were received from the President of the United States by Mr. NicoLAY, his Private Secretary.

THANKS TO CAPTAIN WINSLOW.

The SPEAKER, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the following message from the President of the United States:

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend that Captain John A. Winslow, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for the skill and gallantry exhibited by him in the brilliant action, while in command of the United States steamer Kearsarge, which led to the total destruction of the piratical craft Alabama on the 19th June, 1864-a vessel superior in tonnage, superior in number of guns, and superior in number of crew.

This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act, which is in the following words, namely:

"That any line officer of the Navy or Marine corps may be advanced one grade, if, upon recommendation of the President by name, he receives the thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the enemy, or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession." ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WASHINGTON CITY, December 5, 1864. The message was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

THANKS TO LIEUTENANT CUSHING.

The SPEAKER also, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the following message from the President of the United States:

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend that Lieutenant William B. Cushing, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for his important, gallant, and perilous achievement in destroying the rebel iron-clad steamer Albemarle, on the night of the 27th October, 1854, at Plymouth, North Carolina.

The destruction of so formidable a vessel, which had resisted the continued attacks of a number of our vessels on former occasions, is an important event touching our future naval and military operations, and would reflect honor on any officer, and redounds to the credit of this young officer and the few brave comrades who assisted in this successful and daring undertaking.

This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act, which is in the following words, namely:

"That any line officer of the Navy or Marine corps may be advanced one grade, if, upon recommendation of the President by name, he receives the thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the enemy, or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession." ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WASHINGTON CITY, December 5, 1864.
The message was referred to the Committee on
Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

WASHINGTON ARSENAL EXPLOSION.

The SPEAKER also, by unanimous consent, laid before the House a letter from Major J. G. Benton, commander of the Washington arsenal, transmitting a report in regard to the distribution of certain money appropriated for the benefit of the sufferers by the late accident at said arsenal,

which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

UNEMPLOYED GENERALS.

Mr. SCHENCK. I was not in the House when the Committee on Military Affairs was called, and I ask permission now to make a report from that committee.

No objection was made.

Mr. SCHENCK. I am instructed by the Committee on Military Affairs to report a bill to drop from the rolls of the Army unemployed general officers. I will state that the bill is a modification and extension of the joint resolution passed at the last session of this Congress, and I only ask that it be recommitted and be ordered to be printed.

The bill was read a first and second time by its title, recommitted to the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

NATURALIZATION LAWS.

Mr. SCHENCK submitted the following resolution, upon which he demanded the previous question:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the naturalization laws as to provide that persons liable by law to the performance of military duty, who, during the existing rebellion, have left and continued absent from the United States, or may hereafter leave the United States, with a view to avoid any enrollment or draft for military service, or who, having been, or hereafter being, enlisted or drafted, or accepted as substitutes in the military service of the United States, may have been, or may be, guilty of desertion from such service, and shall have gone, and remained, until the passage of such amendatory law, in any foreign country, or may hereafter go to any foreign country, to escape arrest for such desertion, shall, from the date of such abandonment of their own country, either to avoid enrollment or draft, or to escape from arrest for desertion, be held to have forfeited and given up all rights and privileges of citizenship of the United States, and be only capable of naturalization thereafter by declaration of intention, oath of allegiance, and probation of five years, as in the case of other aliens; and that the committee report by bill or otherwise.

The previous question was seconded and the main question ordered; and under the operation thereof the resolution was agreed to.

TRADE WITH REBELLIOUS STATES.

Mr. FERNANDO WOOD submitted the following resolution, which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be directed to inquire into the expediency of repealing the eighth section of the act entitled "An act in addition to the general acts concerning commercial intercourse between loyal and insurrectionary States," &c., approved July 2,

1864.

And then, on motion of Mr. HOLMAN, (at one o'clock, p. m.,) the House adjourned till Monday

California;" which were referred to the Committee on Publie Lands.

Mr. SHERMAN presented a memorial of the directors of the Western Associated Press, praying for a reduction of the duty on foreign printing paper; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. JOHNSON presented the petition of James Crutchett, praying for compensation for the use of his property in Washington city by the Government; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. WILSON. I present a petition of Major General Weitzel, late commander of the eighteenth Army corps, and four hundred and seventy officers of that corps, asking for an increase of the pay of officers to the extent of twenty dollars per month, and that the price of the ration may be commuted at fifty cents instead of thirty. I move the reference of this petition to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia, simply saying that the price of provisions has increased more than three hundred per cent. since the law was passed, making it extremely difficult for offcers of the Army to get along.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. WILSON. I present also the petition of Colonel T. W. Higginson, asking for the repeal of so much of the fourth section of the act approved July 4, 1864, as distinguishes between colored soldiers that were free and those that were slaves before the 19th of April, 1861. I move the reference of this petition to the same committee. The motion was agreed to.

Mr. GRIMES. I present the petition of F. W. Moores, C. O. Morris, and J. M. Boyd, masters in the Navy not in the line of promotion, who represent that they have been attached to the New York, Washington, and Boston navy-yards seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen years, and have been from twenty to forty years in the naval service, and have been on constant duty. They now ask that they may be relieved from their present straitened circumstances in consequence of their small pay of $1,200 not being sufficient to support their families, and they ask to be allowed $1,609 50 per annum for shore duty, and $1,200 as retired pay. I move the reference of this petition to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. GRIMES. I also present the petition of Charles Fosdick Fletcher, who represents himself to be a citizen of the United States, and prays Congress to pass a law at the present session for the establishment of a railroad along the line of the twenty-second parallel of latitude, following as nearly as practicable the surveyed route from New Orleans to San Diego, in California, with a branch to San Francisco, with like powers, privileges, and immunities to those which have been Prayer by Rev. THOMAS BOWMAN, D.D., Chap-granted to other companies chartered by Con

next.

IN SENATE. MONDAY, December 12, 1864.

Jain to the Senate.

The Journal of Thursday last was read and approved.

Hon. JAMES HARLAN of Iowa, Hon. WILLIAM SPRAGUE of Rhode Island, and Hon. J. M. HowARD of Michigan, appeared in their seats to-day.

PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.

Mr. WADE presented a memorial of members of the bar of the supreme court of the District of Columbia, praying that authority may be granted to that court to employ a stenographic reporter; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. DOOLITTLE presented the petition of Frances Elliotte, of Richland county, Wisconsin, praying to be remunerated for the loss of certain money in United States notes, occasioned by the burning of her house in January last; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. HARLAN presented the petition of soldiers of the first and third Iowa cavalry, praying that they be mustered out of service on the expiration of the term of service of their regiments in pursuance of a promise, as they allege, made to them by the mustering officer at the time of muster in; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia.

He also presented two petitions of citizens of California, praying for the passage of House bill No. 560 to amend an act of Congress entitled "An act to grant the right of preemption to certain purchasers on the Soscol Ranch, in the State of

gress. I move that this petition be referred to the standing Committee on the Pacific Railroad. The motion was agreed to.

Mr. JOHNSON. I am requested to presentthe Senate may dispose of it as they see propera memorial of William Cornell Jewett, showing the impossibility of peace through home action, and praying for a reference of the points at issue to an international congress.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Does the Senator propose any reference? Mr. JOHNSÓN. No, sir. Mr. SUMNER. Let it lie on the table. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The petition will lie on the table.

NAVY DEPARTMENT BUILDING.

Mr. FOOT. The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds have had under consideration a joint resolution from the House of Representatives (No. 114) authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to expend a portion of the contingent fund for enlarging the Navy Department building, and recommend its passage, and authorize me to ask for its present consideration.

By unanimous consent, the joint resolution was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It proposes to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to expend so much of the contingent fund heretofore appropriated as may be necessary for the enlargement of the Navy Department building to meet the wants of the Department.

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