Proceedings of Congress.
In the
United States House of Representatives, Saturday, the following took place:
The
House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the
State of the
Union for the consideration of the
Navy Appropriation bill.
Mr. Burnett wished to know whether it would be in order for him to make a speech, for the purpose of showing that the appropriations proposed ought not to be made.
He expressed his belief that both the army and navy were, judging from present movements, to be used against a portion of the States recently in this Confederacy.
The Chair thought such remarks would not be relevant, the bill having been made a special order, and therefore debate must be strictly confined to the subject.
The committee sustained the Chair in his decision.
Mr. Pryor, of
Virginia, moved to strike out the following clause in the bill:
"For pay of commission, warrant, and petty officers and seamen, including the engineer corps of the navy, $4,438,577."
Mr. Pryor was understood to say that he would sustain the navy so far as protection to the interests of commerce and enlarging the bounds of discovery were concerned; but he would not grant a farthing, and would sink the navy in the abyss of the ocean, before it should be used for hostile purposes against the citizens of our country.
The use of this dread instrument of death and desolation in fraternal strife deserves a nation's scorn.
The most unhappy aspect in the present unhappy condition of affairs is the prevalence of a military temper in the councils of the administration, and an imbecile Executive has fallen under the guidance of an aspiring soldier.
The sword has been cast into the balance.
Instead of messengers of conciliation to a discontented people, the
Government dispatches men and munitions of war to constrain them to abject obedience.
Mr. Sherman rose to a point of order.
Mr. Pryor said he would conclude in five minutes, and would rigorously confine himself to the rules.
He was going to say, when interrupted, that although no foreign foot treads on the soil of
America for hostile purposes, yet troops are distributed and concentrated, and forts are garrisoned with an avowed intention of subjugating and overawing a portion of the people, and even in this District masses of mercenaries are accumulated to inaugurate the
President in blood.
In the course of his remarks he spoke of the Administration as detestable; and availed himself of this occasion to give warning to the people of
Virginia that a plan has been matured and preparations are making to subject them to tyranny by force, and he implored them by every consideration of safety and honor to concert measures for their protection.
Mr. Clemens, of
Virginia, said it would be unjust to himself and the people of
Virginia if the inflammatory speech of his colleague [
Mr. Pryor] should pass unnoticed, standing here as he did on terms of equality with him. He appealed to him to know--
Mr. Garnett, of
Virginia.
I call for the enforcement of the rules of order on the member from
Virginia.
Mr. McKnight, of
Pennsylvania.
Fair play
Mr. Garnett. I will not receive aid from the
Black Republican side of the
House.
[Sensation.]
Mr. Pryor said if the
House would extend to his colleague the courtesy to speak, and allow him the opportunity to reply, he would be satisfied.
Mr. Garnett would agree to withdraw his objection on that condition.
[Voices: "Let that be understood."]
Mr. Sherman. I'll not agree to any such understanding.
Mr. Pryor appealed to his colleague [
Mr. Garnett] to withdraw his objection.
Mr. Hindman, of
Arkansas, said if
Mr. Pryor could have an opportunity to respond, he would have no objection.
Mr. Hill, of
Ga., objected to any such understanding, and in this was influenced only by kind feelings.
He desired to prevent inflammatory debate.
There were men on the other side willing to accept the gage.
He stood up for conservative action, and against extremes every where.
[Slight applause]
The question having been taken,
Mr. Pryor's amendment was disagreed to.
