dealings under the former bill were injurious to the public interests, and particularly detrimental to the military service, it does not follow by any means that under the new regulations which have sprung up under the new provisions of the law, which were designed, and it was said would tend and were calculated, to remove the difficulties which had been witnessed under the old regula- || tions, the intercourse is obnoxious to the same objections which were made by the Committee on Commerce on a former occasion; and therefore I hope that the bill will not only be referred, but that it will be referred to the Committee on Commerce, who once examined the question, who had the facts before them, and who are not disqualified, as my honorable friend from Vermont supposes, by having reported this measure, but who are qualified

Mr. COLLAMER. I merely presumed it had been by the committee's recommendation, because I did not see how else it ever got through. I do not know anything about it more than that.

Mr. MORRILL. I will not say that the honorable Senator had no ground for his supposition, reasoning on that basis; but the fact is as I have stated.

I hope, therefore, Mr. President, that the bill will be referred; and particularly in view of the facts mentioned by the Senator from Vermont, which I am very ready to believe, which I have no doubt exist, and to a very much greater extent than he has stated. I am very free to say in advance that I have not changed my convictions on the subject. I believed it was wrong then; I have believed so all the time; I think so now. But I think on a matter of so great importance as this we ought to act with reference to all the facts that can be gathered on the subject.

Mr. COLLAMER. What I said in relation to this section having been inserted on the recommendation of the committee was only a presumption of mine from the fact that it passed. I do not know anything about it. The gentleman knows what transpired in the Senate at the time; I was not here when the bill passed. After the remarks of the Senator from Maine, I move myself to refer the bill to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. CONNESS. Before the reference is made I desire simply to say that I have been the recipient of many applications from parties interested who have obtained permits under this pernicious statute to trade in cotton at New Orleans and elsewhere, and that copies of the President's order and the order of the Secretary of the Treasury given to them to authorize them to trade at those places have been furnished to me. When

I examined them, I confess that I was very much surprised, for, like the honorable Senator from Vermont, I was not aware of the fact that Congress had passed such a law. I was astounded that a policy such as these orders indicated could possibly have been adopted in a time of war. Succeeding these applications, and in connection with them, further applications were made upon the refusal of General Canby at New Orleans, commanding that department, to carry out the instructions of the Treasury Department and of the President, asking me to go to the War Department, and to the Treasury, and to the President, respectively, to obtain an overruling of the position taken by General Canby in regard to it. I will only say here for myself that I refused to interfere in any respect, or to obtrude any advice upon any Department of the Government in that connection. These things took place with myself before the appearance of General Canby's report, which shows conclusively that he has been simply performing his duty as an honest and able officer, as he is.

In that connection also permit me just now to call the attention of the Committee on Commerce -I will submit the letters in my hand to them with this reference-to the fact that the most mischievous and pernicious action under these licenses to trade in the rebellious territories is constantly going on under and by the patronage of our Government. On Saturday morning I received the letters I have now in my hand at my desk here. One of them is written by an attorney in New York city, who refers me for his responsibility to no less a person than the Vice President of the United States. He asks in behalf of another party a permit to go to Newbern, North Carolina, to trade in turpentine, &c. He gives an account

ment of a distinguished officer that the trade with the rebels had embarrassed all our military oper

allowing permits to trade, as acted on and carried out, was very injurious, and I believe the whole country demanded its repeal.

of how the business is carried on there, and I take it that it is sufficiently verified to be useful in throwing some light on this general subject. Itations, especially along the river. The act of 1861, appears that we have got a Treasury agent there whose name is Heaton; and let me say here, with no disposition to condemn humans by classes or to condemn Treasury agents as a class, that sufficient facts have come to my knowledge since my connection with the Senate and with the Government in relation to Treasury agents to convince me that taken as a class in their offices they are the most pestilential and pestiferous set connected with the Government, the most obnoxious to justice and the most injurious to us as a people. I will read from this letter:

"Heaton was appointed Treasury agent by"the former head of the Department"and his business is to grant licenses to keep stores, and some other duties, as laid down in his instructions; but as yet no person ha. been authorized to act as agent for the Government to purchase turpentine or other produce for account of Government.

"There is a speculator at Newbern named Charley Dibble. He has no license or other authorization to trade. A person brings in fifty barrels turpentine, and reports to Heaton. Heaton says he cannot buy it, as the Government has not authorized him to do so; but he recommends them to sell to Dibble, and to no one else. If a man says he has been in the habit (before the war) of selling to Patterson, Smith, or Brown, and would like to continue to trade with them, Heaton says, 'Well, you had better trade with Dibble, who has better facilities than anybody else.' And, although he does not threaten, he hints very strongly that if Dibble is not the purchaser the seller may have trouble. "Heaton and Dibble are partners in the profits of all these trades."

The only thing to which I wish now to call the attention of the Senate is that this section of the act of July 2, last, which the honorable Senator proposes to repeal, was ingrafted upon that bill in the Senate when the honorable Senator himself must have been present. The bill passed this body, and it was sent to the House of Representatives shortly after the section was inserted, and the Senator voted for the bill. A motion was made to strike out this particuar section, the eighth section, and the motion was rejected. The vote of the Senate is not given, because it was not taken by yeas and nays. Immediately afterward the vote was taken by yeas and nays upon the passage of the bill with the eighth section in it, and that vote is now before me. The honorable Senator voted for the bill. I only wish to call his attention and the attention of the Senate to it. I myself voted for the bill, probably without any distinct recollection of the terms of that section. Mr. COLLAMER. The gentleman probably has looked at the record.

Mr. SHERMAN. I have the record before me.

Mr. COLLAMER. I can merely say I did not know this section was in the bill. I never knew

I might go on and read further, but you will. SHERMAN. It is very probable that the

perceive what a lucky fellow Dibble is. Fortunate Mr. Dibble indeed! There are a great many of these cases over the country; this is but a specimen. A case occurred recently in my own State-the papers in relation to it are here nowwhere a Treasury agent, drawing his pay from the Government, sworn to carry out its laws and its orders, engaged, as I believe, and as I have no doubt, for a moneyed consideration, in a violation of the neutrality laws, and sending out of the port arms and munitions of war that he and those connected with him might be benefited; and he went so far in his impudent attempt as to urge upon the collector of the port, (who said he would and who did seize the vessels which contained these articles contraband,) a violation of his duty, and argued indeed that it was none of his business if the oaths made before him were false; that he had nothing to do with it; and finally he discovered that it was perfectly right for the collector to grant a clearance to a schooner of fifty-five tons to clear for Hamburg in Europe with those articles contraband of war on board; and that it was none of the collector's business to assume that she could not make the voyage, but it was perfectly right for him to let them swear her through. His confederate in the transaction, not then holding the commission of the Government, whose correspondence on the subject I have in my possession, urged the collector openly to violate his oath. "What of the oath?" he said, and he put it on the ground of patriotism. "All these fellows, you know, are 'patriots."" The truth of the business is that it is through a superabundance of that kind of patriotism, rather than through the efforts of the rebels, that this war has been prolonged. There is no doubt of it. I thank the Senator from Vermont, and the country, I think, is under obligations to him, for presenting this subject to the attention of Congress at this time.

I will say before I close that I have simply answered all such applications as have been made to me to aid these gentlemen in making money pending this war, by saying that I do no business of that kind. The letters in my possession will go to the Committee on Commerce, if they want them, so that they may have the general range of the special agents of the Treasury Department before them.

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. President, my own convictions about this subject have been before expressed to the Senate, and I will not now repeat them. I only wish to correct one or two misapprehensions into which the Senate and the country might fall from the statement of the honorable Senator from Vermont. My own convictions have been, like his, that we cannot at the same time trade and fight with a people; commercial relations are entirely inconsistent with war; and I have also probably mentioned before the state

section was put in the bill in the House of Representatives. A motion to strike out was negatived, not by yeas and nays, and immediately following is the vote by yeas and nays on the passage of the bill.

Mr. COLLAMER. The bill originated here. Mr. SHERMAN. Then the section was probably in the bill as it came from the Treasury Department, where I presume it was framed. The bill came here probably with this section in it from the Treasury Department, was referred to the Committee on Commerce, was debated, and a motion was made here-it does not say by whom to strike out the eighth section. There was no vote by yeas and nays, and then the bill passed. The honorable Senator voted for it, and I voted for it, which I certainly would not have done if my attention had been called distinctly to the eighth section of the bill. I therefore do not attribute any blame to him, because I voted with him.

Mr. COLLAMER. I knew that bill; the Senator from Maine says the committee agreed upon it; I had no objection to it in that shape; but that bill with this section in it I never should have voted for. I did not know it was there. I was perfectly astonished when I saw the President's proclamation stating that to be the law.

Mr. SHERMAN. A motion was made to strike out the eighth section of the bill. That amendment was agreed to in Committee of the Whole, and when in the Senate the question was put on that amendment again. Here is the record: "The next amendment was to strike out the eighth seetion, as follows."

Then follow the very words of the law as it now stands.

"This amendment was not concurred in.”

No vote was taken on any other amendment; and then followed the vote on the passage of the bill, which showed a very full Senate.

Mr. CHANDLER. If the Senator will pardon me I will correct him.

Mr. SHERMAN. I will hear the Senator. Mr. CHANDLER. I have the record before me; I read from the Journal:

"On the question, Will the Senate concur in the following amendment made as in Committee of the Whole, to wit, strike out the eighth section ?"

The eighth section came from the Treasury Department in the bill, and was stricken out by the Committee on Commerce. The Committee on Commerce recommended an absolute prohibition of all traffic with the rebel States. While the bill was upon its passage in the Senate, the section stricken out by the committee was reinstated by the Senate on a distinct vote, against the recommendation of the Committee on Commerce and against the judgment of that committee, the committee having recommended an absolute prohibi

tion of all trade and traffic with the rebel States of every kind and description.

The motion to refer the bill to the Committee on Commerce was agreed to.

CHARLES ANDERSON.

Mr. SHERMAN. I trust the Senate will allow me to take up a bill for the relief of a citizen of my State. I move to take up House bill No. 163, for the relief of Charles Anderson, assignee of John James, of Texas. A similar bill has heretofore passed the Senate.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill. It directs the Secretary of War to pay to Charles Anderson, assignee of John James, of Texas, the sum of $1,041 66, being the amount certified by the Quartermaster General to be due to John James for back rent of Camp Hudson, in Texas, prior to July 1, 1859, the same having been regularly assigned to Charles Anderson.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION.

On motion of Mr. SUMNER, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of executive business; and after some time spent therein the doors were reopened, and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, January 16, 1865.

The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. W. H. CHANNING.

The Journal of Friday last was read and approved.

The SPEAKER. The first business in order is the call of the States for bills on leave, to be referred, and not brought back by a motion to reconsider.

PAY OF SUPREME JUDGES.

Mr. GRISWOLD introduced a bill providing compensation to the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States and for the payment of their traveling expenses; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA RAILROAD COMPANY.

Mr. ORTH introduced a bill to incorporate the District of Columbia Railroad Company; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia.

INSPECTORS OF STEAMBOATS.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, introduced a bill to provide for two assistant inspectors of steamboats in the city of New York, and for two local inspectors at Galena, Illinois; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

MISSOURI LAND TITLES.

Mr. KNOX introduced a bill perfecting the title of certain locations of land in the State of Missouri; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Also, a bill perfecting the titles to lands in the State of Missouri, located under the act of February 17, 1815; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

BOARD OF HEALTH, ETC., FOR THE DISTRICT.

Mr. DRIGGS introduced a bill to establish a board of health and quarantine in the District of Columbia; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia.

UNITED STATES JUDICIARY.

Mr. WILSON introduced a bill to amend the judicial system of the United States; which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed.

DUTY ON DISTILLED SPIRITS.

Mr. GRINNELL introduced a bill to increase the duty on all spirits that may be distilled after July 1, 1865; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

APPORTIONMent of repRESENTATIVES, ETC.

Mr. SLOAN introduced a bill submitting to the Legislatures of the several States a proposition to amend the Constitution of the United States; which was read a first and second time.

Mr. HOLMAN asked for the reading of the bill in extenso, and it was read.

It provides for submitting to the Legislatures of the several States the following article:

ART. XIII, SEC. 1. Representatives in Congress shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union according to their respective numbers of qualified electors. The actual enumeration shall be made in the year 1870, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as Congress shall by law direct.

SEC. 2. Direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to the appraised value of taxable property therein respectively. The rule of appraisal and taxation shall be uniform.

The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed.

MILITARY ROAD IN OREGON.

Mr. McBRIDE introduced a bill to amend an act entitled "An act granting lands to the State of Oregon, to aid in the construction of a military road from Eugene City to the eastern boundary of the State," approved July 2, 1864; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

RECLAIMING SWAMP LANDS.

Mr. ROSS introduced a bill to secure to the several States the benefits of an act entitled "An act to enable the State of Arkansas and other States to reclaim the swamp and overflowed lands within their limits;" which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

The SPEAKER. The call of States and Territories for bills on leave being concluded, the next business in order is the call of States for resolutions, commencing with the State of Ohio, where the call was suspended on the 19th day of December last.

UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. Mr. ASHLEY. I offer the following resolution, and demand the previous question on its adoption:

Resolved, That the use of the Hall of the House of Representatives be granted to the United States Christian Commission for their anniversary exercises on Sabbath evening, January 29.

Mr. COX. I move that the resolution be laid on the table.

The motion was not agreed to.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. On agreeing to the resolution, I demand the yeas and nays. I do not believe in granting the Hall for this pur

pose.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was taken, and it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 78, nays 38, not voting 64; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Ancona, Anderson, Arnold, Ashley, John D. Baldwin, Baxter, Beaman, Blaine, Blow, Boutwell, Boyd, Broomall, James S. Brown, Ambrose W. Clark, Cobb, Coffroth, Cole, Deming, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eliot, Frank, Grinnell, Hale, Charles M. Harris, Higby, Hooper, Hotchkiss, Asahel W. Hubbard, John H. Hubbard, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Julian, Kassou, Kelley, Orlando Kellogg, Knox, Littlejohn, Loan, Longyear, Marvin, McAllister, McIndoe, Samuel F. Miller, Morrill, Daniel Morris, Amos Myers, Leonard Myers, Norton, Orth, Patterson, Perham, Pike, Price, William H. Randall, John II. Rice, Edward H. Rollins, Scofield, Shannon, Sloan, Smith, Smithers, Spalding, Starr, Stevens, Thayer, Upson, William B. Washburn, Webster, Whaley, Williams, Wilson, Windom, and Worthington-78.

NAYS Messrs. Augustus C. Baldwin, Brandegee, Brooks, Chanter, Cox, Cravens, Denison, Eden, Edgerton, Eldridge, English, Finck, Griswold, Hall, Harrington, Holman, William Johnson, Law, Le Biond, Long, McKinney, James R. Morris, Morrison, Noble, Pendleton, Robinson, Rogers, Ross, Schenck, John B. Steele, Stiles, Thomas, Townsend, Wadsworth, Elihu B. Washburne, Wheeler, Chilton A. White, and Joseph W. White-38.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. James C. Allen, William J. Allen, Alley, Baily, Blair, Bliss, William G. Brown, Freeman Clarke, Clay, Creswell, Henry Winter Davis, Thomas T. Davis, Dawes, Dawson, Dumont, Farnsworth, Ganson, Garfield, Gooch, Grider, Harding, Benjamin G. Harris, Herrick, Hulburd, Hutchins, Philip Johnson, Kalbfleisch, Francis W. Kellogg, Kernan, King, Knapp, Lazear, Mallory, Marcy, McBride, McClurg, McDowell, Middleton, William H. Miller, Moorhead, Nelson, Odell, Charles O'Neill, John O'Neill, Perry, Pomeroy, Pruyn, Radford, Samuel J. Randall, Alexander H. Rice, James S. Rollins, Scott, William G. Steele, Strouse, Stuart, Sweat, Tracy,

Van Valkenburgh, Voorhees, Ward, Wilder, Winfield, Benjamin Wood, Fernando Wood, Woodbridge, and Yeaman-64.

So the resolution was adopted.

Mr. ASHLEY. I move to reconsider the vote just taken, and also move that the motion to re

consider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

DICTIONARY OF CONGRESS.

Mr. SPALDING offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That there be printed, for the use of the members of this House, a sufficient number of extra copies of the Dictionary of Congress to make the quota of the House equal to that already ordered by the Senate; provided the copyright hereby directed to be paid by the Clerk shall not exceed the amount heretofore paid per copy for the same work.

Mr. SPALDING moved to refer the resolution to the Committee on Printing, and demanded the previous question.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered; and under the operation thereof the resolution was referred to the Committee on Printing.

PEACE.

Mr. COX submitted the following resolution, and demanded the previous question on its adoption:

Whereas the country hails with manifestations of patriotic joy and congratulation the victories recently achieved by our brave armies; and whereas "the recognized object of war, at least among civilized and Christian nations, is an honorable and satisfactory peace; and that although we do not know that the insurgents are yet prepared to agree to any terms of pacification that our Government would or should deem acceptable, yet as there can be no possible harm resulting from ascertaining precisely what they are ready to do, and in order to refute the imputation that the Administration contemplates with satisfaction a continuance of hostilities for their own sake, on any ground of mere punctilio, or for any reason than because it is compelled by an absorbing regard for the very end of its existence;" and whereas "an established and rightly constituted Government, combating armed and menacing rebellion, should strain every nerve to overcome at the earliest moment the resistance it encounters, and should not merely welcome, but seek, satisfactory (however informal) assurances that its end has been attained:" Therefore,

Resolved, That now, in this hour of victory, which is the hour of magnanimity, it is eminently the duty of the President, on the basis of the present "rightfully constituted Government," either to send or receive commissioners or agents with a view to national pacification and tranquillity, or by some other rational means known to civilized or Christian nations, secure the cessation of hostilities and the Union of the States.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I move that the resolution be laid on the table.

Mr. COX. I have modified the resolution since it was first presented so as to remove objections of gentlemen on the other side.

Mr.WASHBURNE, of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, when the rebel executive and the rebel congress have again and again peremptorily and insultingly refused to entertain any overtures for peace, 1. deem that it would be disgraceful for us to continue to importune them to accept peace propositions and peace commissioners.

The SPEAKER. There can be no debate on the resolution.

Mr. COX. I want the House to understand this is Horace Greeley's proposition. I demand the yeas and nays on the motion that the resolution be laid on the table.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

Mr. SMITH. I understand that if the resolution be debated it goes over.

The SPEAKER. The main question has been ordered.

Mr. COX. While I would like to hear the gentleman from Kentucky, still I want the vote taken to-day.

The question was taken, and it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 84, nays 51, not voting 48; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Ames, Anderson, Arnold, Ashley, Baily, John D. Baldwin, Baxter, Beaman, Boutwell, Boyd, Brandegee, Broomall, Ambrose W.Clark, Freeman Clarke, Cobb, Cole, Henry Winter Davis, Thomas T. Davis, Dawes, Deming, Dixon, Donnelly, Eckley, Eliot, Frank, Garfield, Gooch, Grinnell, Griswold, Higby, Hooper, Asahel W. Hubbard, John H. Hubbard, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Julian, Kasson, Kelley, Francis W. Kellogg, Knox, Littlejohn, Loan, Longyear, Marvin, McClurg, Melndoe, Samuel F. Miller, Morrill, Daniel Morris, Amos Myers, Leonard Myers, Norton, Orth, Patterson, Perham, Pike, Price, William H. Randall, Alexander H. Rice, John H. Rice, Edward H. Rollins, Schenck, Scofield, Sloan, Smith, Smithers, *

Spalding, Starr, Stevens, Thayer, Thomas, Upson, Van Valkenburgh, Elihu B. Washburne, William B. Washburn, Webster, Wheeler, Williams, Wilder, Wilson, Windom, and Worthington-84.

NAYS-Messrs. Ancona, Augustus C. Baldwin, Bliss, Brooks, James S. Brown, Chaufer, Coffroth, Cox, Cravens, Denison, Eden, Edgerton, Eldridge, English, Finck, Hale, Hall, Harrington, Charles M. Harris, Holman, Williani Johnson, Orlando Kellogg, Kernan, King, Law, Lazear, Le Blond, Long, Mallory, Marey, McAllister, McDowell, McKinney, James R. Morris, Morrison, Noble, Pendleton, Radford, Samuel J. Randall, Robinson, Rogers, Ross, Scott, John B. Steele, Stiles, Townsend, Wadsworth, Chilton A. White, Joseph W. White, Fernando Wood, and Yeaman-51.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. James C. Allen, William J. AIJen, Blaine, Blair, Blow, William G. Brown, Clay, Creswell, Dawson, Driggs, Dumont, Farnsworth, Ganson, Grider, Harding, Benjamin G. Harris, Herrick, Hotchkiss, Hulburd, Hutchins, Philip Johnson, Kalbfleisch, Knapp, McBride, Middleton, William H. Miller, Moorhead, Nelson, Odell, Charles O'Neill, John O'Neill, Perry, Pomeroy, Pruyn, James S. Rollins, Shannon, William G. Steele, Strouse, Stuart, Sweat, Tracy, Voorhees, Ward, Whaley, Winfield, Benjamin Wood, and Woodbridge-48.

So the resolution was laid on the table.
During the vote,

Mr. THAYER stated that his colleague, Mr. O'NEILL, was paired with Mr. STEELE, of New Jersey.

Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH stated that his colleague, Mr. POMEROY, was absent from the House on account of illness in his family.

The vote was then announced as above recorded.

PAYMENT OF RECRUITING OFFICERS.

Mr. FINCK submitted the following resolution, and demanded the previous question on its adoption:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be directed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for the payment of such field officers of regiments who were appointed by the Governors of the several States during the rebellion, and who were engaged in recruiting and organizing companies and regiments for service in the forces of the United States, or commanding, superintending, or directing camps of instruction and rendezvous estabJished by said Governors, the same pay and emoluments allowed by the United States, at the time, to officers of like rank, from the time of entering upon such service under their appointinent up to the date of their muster into the service of the United States, and that said committee report by bill or otherwise.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered, and under the operation thereof the resolution was adopted.

QUOTAS OF CALIFORNIA.

Mr. MCKINNEY submitted the following resolution, and demanded the previous question on its adoption:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War, (If not incompatible with the public interest,) be directed to communicate to this liouse what is the number of troops furnished by the State of California to the General Government under the various calls, and whether the draft has been enforced in that State as in other States, and if not, the reason for its non-enforcement.

The SPEAKER. This being a call on one of the Executive Departments for information must, if objected to, lie over for one day.

Mr. COLE, of California. I object.

So the resolution was laid over.

REPAYMENT OF COMMUTATION MONEY.

Mr. NOBLE submitted the following preamble

Mr. NOBLE. I do know that many of them

are true.

Mr. SLOAN. I have no objection to a resolution of inquiry calling for all the facts in relation to the subject.

The motion to lay the resolution on the table was not agreed to.

Mr. SCHENCK. I suggest to the gentleman that the only difficulty here seems to be that in the preamble a number of facts are stated as actually existing. Now I have no doubt that my colleague [Mr. NOBLE] is satisfied, either from evidence within his own knowledge or otherwise, that a part at least of these alleged facts are true. Still they may be capable of some rebutting testimony; and if my colleague would modify his resolution by inserting after the word "whereas " the words "it is alleged," all objection would be removed.

Mr. NOBLE. I have not the least objection to so modifying the resolution, though I know personally of the existence of many of the alleged facts.

Mr. SCHENCK. I have no doubt of that; but the modification will remove all objection.

Mr. NOBLE. I will make the modification suggested; but I desire to say to my colleague that I personally know of one or two instances where men have been drafted and taken into the service

a second time whose families are now suffering for want of this commutation money. And further, I know application was made more than six months ago to get the money paid back.

The main question was then ordered to be put. The SPEAKER. This being a call for executive information, requires unanimous consent to be considered this day.

Mr. BOUTWELL. I object.
Mr. NOBLE. Who objects?

Mr. BOUTWELL. Iobject, and if the House will pardon me, I will say to the gentleman from Ohio that if he will introduce a simple resolution asking information upon this subject, without alleging any matters of fact about which the House know nothing, there will be no objection to it.

Mr. NOBLE. I myself made a number of applications more than six months ago for the repayment of this commutation which had been paid by men who were subsequently drafted. That I know to be true. Since I have been here a number of these men and their families have written to me with reference to the matter, and I have called upon the War Department time and again, but have failed to get a return of the money. know the families need the money, and I think the resolution should pass.

Mr. BOUTWELL. I have called myself upon the War Department many times for information, and have failed to get it.

Mr. NOBLE. This is a case where money has been paid, and it should be returned. The fault is in the War Department.

Mr. BOUTWELL. I insist upon my objection.
So the resolution was laid over.

TAX ON PASSENGER TRAVEL.

Mr. SCHENCK submitted the following res

Whereas under the call made by the President for three hundred thousand troops, on the day of , A. D. 1864, in order to fill their quotas, some of the districts made a supplemental draft subsequent to the passage of the act regulating the subject, of July 4, 1864, which supplemental drafts were declared irregular and the persons thus drafted were ordered to be discharged therefrom, and when cominutation had been paid it was also ordered that the same should be refunded, which has not been done; and whereas in many instances the persons who had thus paid commutation within a very short period thereafter were again drafted under the subsequent call and compelled to enter the service of the United States; and whereas families are now suffering for want of the return of said commutation: Therefore,

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to inform this House why the said commutations have not been refunded without so much delay.

The previous question was seconded. Mr.SLOAN. I move to lay the resolution on the table.

Mr. NOBLE. Let me appeal to my friend not to move to lay that resolution on the table for this reason: I know many instances where the facts therein stated are true.

Mr. SLOAN. I do not object to an inquiry in reference to the subject-matter of the resolution. What I object to is that the resolution asserts many facts which I do not know to be true.

tion:

Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be directed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the laws for the assessment and collection of internal revenue as to provide that a tax of not exceeding one cent per mile be levied on every passenger traveling by railway, steamboat, or other public conveyance, to be additional to any tax required by law to be paid by the railway companies, steamboat companies, or other owners of such public conveyances; and that provision be made under proper restrictions and penalties for the collection, accounting for, and paying over of such passenger tax by the corporations and other persons owning and running such public conveyances, for a compensation not exceeding per cent. for such collection and paying over. The SPEAKER ordered tellers on the demand for the previous question; and appointed Mr. SCHENCK and Mr. TowNSEND.

The House divided; and the tellers reportedayes 54, noes 38.

So the previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put; and under the operation thereof the resolution was agreed to.

RIGHT TO VOTE.

Mr. MALLORY. I rise to a question of order. A short time since I was granted leave to record my vote upon the resolution offered by the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. Cox.]

Now, I understand that permission has been given to the Committee of Ways and Means, of which I am a member, to sit during the sessions of the House. If so, I take it that that bestows upon the members of that committee the right to vote upon any question taken during their ab

sence.

The SPEAKER. The Chair overrules the point of order. The Chair thinks, and in this he has gone beyond his predecessors, that this privilege enables the members of the committee to come in and vote upon any proposition pending before the House when they were not within the bar when their names were called; but that they cannot come in at a subsequent day, or after the result has been announced, and record their votes.

Mr. MALLORY. I accept the ruling of the Chair and thank the House for the permission to vote. I vote "no" on the motion to lay the resolution of the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Cox] on the table.

EXCHANGE OF NAVAL PRISONERS.

The SPEAKER, by unanimous consent, the morning hour having expired, laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, transmitting, in compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 21st of December, 1864, a statement of what measures have been exchange of naval prisoners now in the hands of taken for and what obstacles are in the way of an

the rebels; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed. APPROPRIATIONS FOR INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

The SPEAKER also, by unanimous consent, laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting the annual statement as to the appropriations for that Department, compiled by the Second Comptroller, in compliance with the act of May 1, 1820; which was laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed.

MISSOURI A FREE STATE.

The SPEAKER. The Chair lays before the House a telegraphic dispatch received by him on Saturday last, when the House was not in session, with the request that it should be laid before the House of Representatives.

The Clerk read the dispatch, as follows: JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, January 14, 1865. Hon. SCHUYLER COLFAX,

Speaker House of Representatives:

The following is the proclamation of Thomas C. Fletcher, first Governor of free Missouri. We know you join in spirit with Missouri in her jubilee to-day.

GEORGE SMITH,

President Senate of Missouri.
W. L. LOVELACE,

Speaker House of Representatives of Missouri.

Proclamation by the Governor.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, January 11, 1865. It having pleased divine Providence to inspire to righteous action the sovereign people of Missouri, who, through their delegates in convention assembled, with proper legal authority and solemnity, have this day ordained that hereafter in this State there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in punishment of crime whereof -the party shall have been duly convicted, and that all persons held to service or labor as slaves are hereby declared free: Now, therefore, by authority of the supreme executive power vested in me by the constitution of Missouri, I, Thomas C. Fletcher, Governor of the State of Missouri, do proclaim that henceforth and forever no person within the jurisdiction of this State shall be subject to any abridgement of liberty, except such as the law shall prescribe for the common good, or know any master but God.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, and caused the great seal of the State to be affixed, [L. S.] at Jefferson City, this 11th day of January, A. D. THOMAS C. FLETCHER.

1865.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. The gentleman from New York [Mr. WARD] who had charge of the matter said that he would make no objection.

instructed to inquire into the cause of delay in printing the public documents, and to report what measures, if any, are necessary to expedite the same.

NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

Mr. STEVENS, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported a bill making appropriations for the naval service for the year ending 30th June, 1866; and moved that it be referred to the Com

The question was taken; and, two thirds voting in favor of it, the rules were suspended, and the resolution was taken up.

The Senate propose to amend the joint resolution by striking out the whole thereof, including the preamble, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

Whereas it is provided in the reciprocity treaty, concluded at Washington the 5th of June, 1854, between the United States of the one part and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland of the other part, that this treaty "remain in force for ten years from the date at which it may come into operation, and further until the expiration of twelve months after either of the high contracting parties shall give notice to the other of its wish to terminate the same;" and whereas it appears by a proclamation of the President of the United States, bearing date 16th March, 1855, that the treaty came into operation on that day; and whereas, further, it is no longer for the interests of the United States to continue the same in force: Therefore,

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That notice be given of the termination of the reciprocity treaty, according to the provision therein contained for the term ination of the same; and the President of the United States is hereby charged with the communication of such notice to the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I ask the previous question on the amendments.

The previous question was seconded and the main question ordered.

The amendment to the joint resolution was agreed to.

to.

The amendment to the preamble was also agreed

The Senate further proposed to amend the title of the joint resolution so as to read:

A joint resolution providing for the termination of the reciprocity treaty of the 5th of June, 1854, between the United States and Great Britain.

The amendment to the title was agreed to. Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, moved to reconsider the several votes by which the amendments of the Senate were concurred in, and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

DUTY ON PRINTING PAPER.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I ask the unanimous consent of the House to introduce the following joint resolution:

Be it resolved, &c., That in lieu of the duty on printing paper, unsized, used for books and newspapers exclusively, now levied by law, there shall be levied, collected, and paid a duty of three per cent. ad valorem.

Mr. KASSON. Is the resolution offered for consideration now?

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. It is for conBideration at this time.

Mr. KASSON. This subject is before the Committee of Ways and Means, and for that reason I must object to the consideration of the resolution at this time.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I will ask the gentleman from Iowa when the Committee of Ways and Means will consider this subject.

Mr. KASSON. I hope this week. They have an extra session this evening for special and more important business. I ask the gentleman at least to postpone the resolution.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. If the gentleman thinks there will be some action on the subject this week and that the Committee of Ways and Means will report to the House, I will withdraw the joint resolution.

Mr. KASSÖN. I think there will be. Mr. WASHBURNE, of Ulinois. I withdraw the joint resolution.

PRINTING OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

Mr. A. W. CLARK, by unanimous consent, introduced the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Printing be

ordered to be printed, and made the special order for Thursday next.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, called for the reading of the bill.

Mr. HOLMAN. I suggest to the gentleman from Illinois that the right to raise points of order in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union on this bill be reserved.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. That is my

object.

Mr. STEVENS. I have no objection to that reservation being made.

The bill was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, ordered to be printed, and made the special order for Thursday next, and from day to day until disposed of.

WAYS AND MEANS.

Mr. STEVENS, from the Committee of Ways and Means, also reported a bill to amend an act entitled "An act to provide ways and means for the support of the Government, and for other purposes," approved June 30, 1864; and for other purposes; and moved that it be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union and made the special order for Wednesday next.

Mr. ANCONA called for the reading of the bill. The SPEAKER. The Committee of Ways and Means have a right to report general appropriation bills at any time; but this is not a bill of

ferred from the District of Columbla, at such place or places as may be selected by the Secretary of the Interior, $30,000. The Committee of Ways and Means recommended concurrence.

The amendment was concurred in.
Fourth amendment:

Strike out the following:

To enable the Clerk of the House of Representatives to execute the resolutions of the House of July 4, 1864, directing payment of additional compensation to its officers, clerks, and other employes, and to the House reporters for the Congressional Globe, a sum sufficient for the purpose, being $37,091 40, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and the same is hereby added to the contingent fund of the House of Repre sentatives; but no payments shall be made under this provision to any other persons than the clerks, officers, and other employés of the House and the reporters for the Congressional Globe.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended non-concurrence.

Mr. PRICE. Mr. Chairman, I understand that the effect of adopting the recommendation of the Committee of Ways and Means will be to pay this additional amount. I hope the House will not vote for any resolution to pay additional sums to any employés, and that the amendment of the Senate will be concurred in.

The question was taken, and the amendment was non-concurred in, there being, on a division -ayes six, noes not counted.

Fifth amendment:

Strike out the following:

For salary of the commissioner for codifying the naval laws, under joint resolution of March 3, 1863, from July 1, 1864, to March 3, 1865, $2,025.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended non-concurrence.

that character.

Mr. ANCONA. I did not object. I only desired to know what the bill was. I withdraw the demand for the reading of the bill.

The bill was read a first and second time, ordered to be printed, and made the special order for Wednesday next, and from day to day until disposed of.

DEFICIENCY BILL.

Mr. STEVENS, from the Committee of Ways and Means, also reported back the Senate amendments to the bill (H. R. No. 620) to supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the service of the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1865.

Mr. BROOKS. I object to the amendments being considered in the House. They have not been printed, and we ought to have some explanation of them.

Mr. STEVENS. I move that the amendments be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and made the special order for to-day.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. STEVENS. I move that the rules be suspended, and that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

The motion was agreed to.

The rules were accordingly suspended, and the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, [Mr. BouT WELL in the chair,] and proceeded, as a special order, to the consideration of the Senate amendments to the deficiency bill.

First amendment of the Senate:

Insert the following:

To supply a deficiency for compensation of clerks in the Denver branch mint, $450.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended non-concurrence.

The amendment was non-concurred in.
Second amendment:
Insert the following:

To supply a deficiency in the appropriation for the branch mint at San Francisco, $134,889 68.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended non-concurrence.

The amendment was non-concurred in,
Third amendment:
Strike out the following:

For the support and maintenance of the convicts trans

Mr STEVENS. I think the appropriation made by this House is right, and I ask to have á letter on the subject read.

The Clerk read, as follows:

439 II STREET, WASHINGTON, January 12, 1865. MY DEAR SIR: I see by the Globe of yesterday that the Senate amended the deficiency bill by striking out my salary as commissioner of the code of naval Jaws. This, I presume, has been done under some misapprehension of the facts.

I was appointed commissioner in the spring of 1863. In March, 1864, I reported to the House a draft of a code, complete, except a chapter upon the pay of the officers and employés, and a chapter specifically repealing the old laws which should be repealed.

Copies of the code, after it was printed, were distributed among the several bureaus, and the officers of the Navy and others interested, for suggestions of amendment or criticism. Many of them were returned to me with valuable suggestions.

I remained here during the residue of the last session endeavoring to get action upon it in the House committee. It was distributed to several sub-committees for examination, but was not considered in committee or reported to the House.

During the reeess I saw the chairman of the committee, (Hon. Mr. RICE,) and, by arrangement with him, came here at the opening of this session; and I have prepared a copy with references to all the former laws and also with references noted and written on each page to all the amendments which have been proposed. This I have now submitted to the committee, and expect their action. I can hardly expect it will be agreed upon and reported so as to pass before the end of the session, or nearly the end, and I shall be compelled to remain in attendance.

I respectfully submit, therefore, that the provision for my salary should be retained in the bill, and I beg you to submit this statement to the committee.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. B. SEDGWICK, Commissioner of Naval Code. Mr. STEVENS. I think that that letter sufficiently explains this matter, and shows that the appropriation is quite small enough for the time employed. The work done by this gentleman since the last session is very valuable. Without it, indeed, the whole code would be almost unintelligible.

Mr. GANSON. I would ask the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. STEVENS] whether this commissioner, or whatever he is, has had any compensation previous to this, and if so how much. Mr. STEVENS. For one year. Mr. GANSON. Up to what time? Mr. STEVENS. Up to last spring, I think. Mr. GANSON. I understand from the com

munication that has just been read, that this compensation is for trying to lobby this report through the committee.

Mr. STEVENS. The gentleman could not have heard the communication read. The commissioder made an index to the book, and did other work which was deemed necessary.

Mr. SPALDING. I would ask the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. STEVENS] if this appropriation has been recommended by the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. STEVENS. We have had no recommendation from them on any subject.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. If I understand the fact in relation to the services of the commissioner in the preparation of this naval code, it is something like this: during the last session of Congress Mr. Sedgwick did make a partial report, not a complete report. The committee found, on examining the report, that it was in such form as to render it impossible for them to determine what was the codification of the existing laws, and what part of the report involved new propositions submitted by himself-original propositions. The report was distributed among the members of the committee, and they took into consideration the subjects assigned to them respectively. There was no further report in relation to the codification from the commissioner. I suggested to him that the committee would desire that he should enable them by marks and signs to distinguish what was original and that which he had supplied. And within a few days past, within a week past, I have found on the table of the committee this amended report, which I supposed was what was required by the committee, and they will immediately take the subject into consideration and report upon it as soon as they can do so. In regard to any recommendations of the Committee on Naval Affairs to the Committee of Ways and Means, I will state that the committee has received no information whatever from the Secretary of the Navy which would enlighten them upon any propositions which were before the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. PIKE. I would suggest to the committee that if we vote this appropriation there would seem to be no reason why the next House should not make an additional appropriation, and make the office continuous and perpetual. The Commissioner made a partial report, as he states in his letter, on the 4th of March of last year. He was asked to specify what particular laws were amended, and what changes were made. The House remained in session until some time in July, but no additional report was received. The only portion of the code changed at the last session, as members will recollect, was in relation to the prize laws, and that was from a draft by the district attorney and the district judge of the district of Massachusetts. For myself I see no reason in the world for such an appropriation as this.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. I would say that so much of the code as related to the prize law was part of a separate bill.

Mr. PIKE. That is what I stated; from a draft drawn by district attorney Dana and district judge Sprague.

league [Mr. LITTLEJOHN] if he ever read the report or the codification.

Mr. LITTLEJOHN. In reply to that I will say that I have seen the report and a portion of the codification, but have not read it. But I have satisfied myself, from the examination I have made, that it has required a vast amount of time and research, and that this gentleman is entitled to compensation for the labor he has performed for the public.

Mr. GANSON. I would also ask the gentleman what proposition is made by the commissioner that he deems of value to the naval service in that report.

Mr. LITTLEJOHN. I am not in the habit of being cross-questioned by gentlemen. I will simply reply, that all the laws affecting the Navy have been condensed and brought together, so that heads of Departments, and all others who desire to obtain information, will be able to understand all questions relating to the laws of the Navy, which can be obtained from this one volume.

Mr. PIKE. Does not the gentleman from New York [Mr. LITTLEJOHN] think that fifteen months, at a salary of $3,000 a year, is sufficient time to accomplish that purpose when the product is a pamphlet of perhaps about two hundred pages?

Mr. DAVIS, of New York. In behalf of the gentleman who is named as commissioner of the naval code, I would like to say one word here. By an act of Congress he was entitled to an annual salary while employed in the service of the Government upon this work. The salary for last year I suppose was paid him. Now, if I understand the declaration of the chairman of the Naval Committee [Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts] that committee had a right to suppose, after he had presented the labors of the last year to the committee, that his further services would be required in preparing or following out the suggestions which had been made to him by the chairman of the Naval Committee. And in that work he has since been engaged. The result of his work has been produced to this House and has been accepted by that committee. And I question very much the fairness of saying now that for this labor, which has been bestowed with the knowledge and at the suggestion of that committee, this commissioner is not entitled to compensation from this Government. I believe that under the circumstances compensation, to some extent at least, should be awarded to him.

Mr. MORRILL. I desire to ask the gentleman from Maine [Mr. PIKE] whether he is aware that any service has been performed by this commissioner since the last payment was made.

Mr. PIKE. I will say in reply, that so far as I have learned at the Department, no service has been performed since the last payment was made. I am not disposed to deny one word that Mr. Sedgwick states in his letter. I only speak so far as I know; and I have made inquiries on the subject.

Mr. PIKE. I would say in reply to that question, that I have a very high respect for the commissioner, with whom I served in Congress while he held the position of chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs. And I have no objection to paying him a reasonable sum for his services; but it seems to me that he has already been paid a reasonable sum.

Mr. LITTLEJOHN. This gentleman, the commissioner, served as chairman of the Naval Committee of this House, and perhaps there is no gentleman here or elsewhere who is better qualified to discharge the duty imposed upon him than Mr. Sedgwick. He has given this question a great deal of attention, and much time and research. And from the investigation I have been able to make I am satisfied that the gentleman is entitled to compensation therefor.

Mr. GANSON. I would like to ask my col

that that work has been performed by him since the adjournment of Congress, or since March last. The amendment was concurred in.

Sixth amendment: Insert the following:

Navy Department, Bureau of Navigation: For binnacles, binnacle lamps, and alidades; for bunting, muslin, and sewing materials for ensigns, jacks, distinctive flags, and marks, signal flags, and foreign flags, and for making flags of all kinds; for logs, log lines, log reels, log slates, log paper, log books, and sand glasses; for leads, lead reels, lead lines, armings for leads, and sounding cups; and for signal apparatus other than signal flags, $125,000.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended non-concurrence.

The amendment was not concurred in.
Seventh amendment:

Insert the following:

For freight and transportation of navigation materials, instruments, books, and stores; for postage on public letters; for the telegraphing of proposals; for packing-boxes and material; for blank-books, forms, and stationery at navigation office; for maps, drawings, models; and for incidental expenses not applicable to any other appropriation, $3,000.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended non-concurrence.

The amendment was not concurred in.
Eighth amendment:

Insert the following:

For the purchase of nautical and astronomical instruments, nautical books, maps, and charts; and for repairs of instruments; and for binding and backing books and charts, $100,000.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended non-concurrence.

The amendment was not concurred in.
Ninth amendment:

Insert the following:

Bureau of 'quipment and Recruiting:

For fuel for the Navy, and for the transportation and expenses thereof, $5.347,400.

The Committee of Ways and Means recommended concurrence.

Mr.WASHBURNE, of Illinois. As the amount of this item is large, I would like to have some explanation of it.

Mr. STEVENS. At the time when this deficiency bill was prepared the Navy Department had not sent in any estimate for deficiencies. They sent in the estimate just as the bill was passing here. The committee examined it, and did not see how they could reject it, because it was for debts already incurred. So they sent it to the Senate to be put on there. The paper containing the estimates has not come back from that body. I remember that, among other things, it mentioned that at the time the original estimates were made, coal was seven or eight dollars per ton, whereas the Department was actually obliged to pay twelve or fourteen dollars per ton; that therefore the increased expense asked to be met in this deficiency bill had been necessarily incurred to keep the Navy in motion. The committee were satisfied that the amount was fairly estimated; and although we did not recommend the item here, we asked the Senate to put it on, and they have done it.

Mr. BROOKS. I wish to ask the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means whether he remembers what was the deficiency for fuel in the last deficiency bill.

Mr. STEVENS. I do not.

Mr. BROOKS. I know that it was very large -larger than this, if I remember correctly. I make the inquiry for the purpose of suggesting to the Navy Department (I have no other means of doing it) that, in the regular bill which we shall shortly act upon, they should estimate for fuel sums sufficiently high to cover the whole year, so that we shall not have these immense deficiency bills.

Mr. STEVENS. I believe the amount is very large; but it will be remembered that since last year coal has increased in price almost one half. Í understood that the amount of fuel used has been barely sufficient-that the Department has been obliged to purchase all it has bought. This fuel has been purchased by the Government, and I suppose of course it ought to be paid for.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I would ask the gentleman whether this coal is bought by contract or in open market.

Mr. STEVENS, In both ways, as I understood-generally by contract, unless where there is a demand which must be immediately met.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. Well, Mr. Chairman, if it is bought by contract I do not see how this deficiency could arise. The Navy Department, I take it, estimates originally at the contract price.

Mr. STEVENS. But they do not make the contracts at the time of the estimate. They made contracts, of course, through the summer, six months after they made the estimates.

Mr. BROOKS. I have no right to answer the question on behalf of the present Administration, but if the gentleman will permit me, I will say that the quantity of coal consumed is much larger than was estimated for by the Department. It has not been so much the increased price of coal as the increased quantity consumed."

Mr. STEVENS. If the gentleman will look at the report, he will find that we have one hundred vessels more than we had last year.

Mr. BROOKS. There is another subject to which I wish to call the attention of the Navy Department through this House, and that is that in their estimates they fail to look to the expansion of the currency. For example, if the war