Mr. BRANDEGEE. Will any man name to me an objection to my substitute? Will any man tell the House that it does not allow fair play? Certainly not, for it permits this commission to examine and report on all the sites which have been proposed. I can see but 2 objections to it, which I can dispose of in a few minutes. One is that it may involve additional expense. How much? We had a practical application of that question at the last session of Congress. 12 places were sng ested as sites for a western iron clad navy yar. This Congress, though it was well known the Navy Dept were in favor of Carondelet, did not confine the commission to that place, but directed them to examine all of the places. What is the expense ofit? The whole expense of the commission which examined 12 sites at the West amounted to $2, 590, including expressage, a and the preparation of this reporst, tenanographer,0 that $2, 690, $870 was given to a gentleman not connected with the military or naval service, Mr. G. W. Blunt, of NewYork, a civilian, and a very competent and able one for that purpose. nder my proposition, the President is to detail military or naval officers and engineers to examine these sites. It will not 00st $2,000. These men are entitled by law, as the Gentfrom Iowa [Mr. Winsoiv] well knows, to no compensation. There is an express law that officers detailed for such duty are not entitled to compensation. They get merely their mil. Now, there are a number of l military mnaval officers, fresh from war on land and sea, who would enjoy such an expe dition this summer. And, sir, they cannot be better employed at an expense of $2,000. What are they to do? To examine these different sites, and spread upon the records of the country for future use the advantages and disadvantages of all these places. We may need this information some y, and it will be worth all it costs. We may need another yard for this purpose besides the one at League Island or at NewLondon; and we shall have valuable information spread upon the archives of congress and the Dept in reference to the comparative merits of these various sites. Is it not worth while to get that information at so cheap a cost? The only other objection to my substitute is that it may involve delay. How much? This can all be done in 2 months. The 1st commission completed their inquiry in less than 2 months. And you can get no legislation upon this subject before the next session of Congress, whether you adopt my proposition or that of the Gentfrom Pennsylvania. NO time will be lost, therefore, and we shall know more about the advantages and disadvantages of these places, and shall be prepared to act more intelligently then than now. I cannot, therefore, see any objection to this Ian. may ryland has offered a site. NewYork as offered a site, and Maine has offered asite, besides the 2 which we have been discussing. Iask the House whether they will adopt this scheme to examine this one site alone, and offer a cold refusal to the examination of other sites. This is a question of comparative advantages and disadvantages. The commission may examine League Island and say that it is a good place for the purpose, whereas if they went to these other points, by a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages they might determine which was the best place. which they cannot determine by an examination of one. Now, one thing more. This House the other day set a precedent on this subject. My friendfrom Maine [Mr. LYNCH] offered a proposition that a commission should be detailed to examine Portland harbor. It passed this House without 0 position, and it has passed the other branc of Congress. It was urged in the other branch by a distinguished Senfrom Maine, one to whom the country looks for his ability and patriotism as one of its leading men it was urged by him and stated openly in the Senate, and is reported in the Globe, that he had asked the SecyNav to order a single officer to examine Portlan harbor, and the Secretary declined to do so on the ground that he would not have any place examined but League Island. That was clearly stated by Mr. Fassnxnnx. I presume I have transgressed parliamentary propriety inmentioning his name, but it is out now, and let it go.