Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-12-22

tne ndtiVu uurinS w Vii0c,
certainty right and P .er that they
should perform the Oh. pess which the
nation mad assig ned them. ~
MIR. S,nyth, Of OF v gina, had gen.
orally vsted with the gentleman from
Tennessee, but on ti.s- occasion. he was
compelled to differ from him. He came
here indeed to attend public business;
but he had seen that it could not be
we'll and fairly done during the holi-
days. Many members would unques-
tionably be absent; and would it De
proper, he would ask, that public bu-
siness should 60 on and be decided in
the absence of SO many members? He
should not avail himself ofitpersonally,
but he thought that public duty and
public policy required the adoption OF
the resolution.
MIR. Hardin had heard no sufficient
reason assigned for adJourning in the
manner proposed 1t mad indeed been
said that no business was done during the
Christmas holidays, and that it was
not worth while to adjourn from day
to day. His experience had been o.
therwise. During that period, much of
the light business Is got through with:
Petitions are received, and reports and
resolutions disposed of, and the house
prepared for the more important bust
ness shat is from time to time postpo-
ned to the early part Of January. If,
indeed, the pay OF the members was to
cease during the recess, that would be
something. But we know, as matter
of fact, that the pay goes on. 1t has
been suggested, that the members
would be better prepared to take up
business after the holidays were over.
But he could not perceive how this re-
suit could be expected; for, certainly
the dissipation OF adjoining cities, to
which We might resort tor pleasure du-
ring that period, would not much con-
duce to better preparation for business,
During this period, it is well under
stood that no call of the house is ever
made. Heavy jobs are not undertaken;
and there is u tscit understanding that
no important business shall be acted
on. Why then should we publish to
the world that we have adjourned for
ten days; to enjoy the pleasure OF So
cial inlerc ourse9 MIR. Ii. could per-
ceive no possible advantage likely to
accrue from the resolution, and was in
favor of the indefinite postponement.
Mr.. Baldwin briefly replied, that he
had rot expected that the proposition
would meet with opposition on those
principles which gentlemen had as
sumed. He had no personal object In
view, and his conscience Vas at ease In
regard to the pay. He should prob
ably remain here during the recess.
and it had been his Invariable practice
to attend in the House during all It's
hours of business. But he was not In
favor of tacit understanding to meet
and do nothing. He wished the nation
to know and fully comprehend our pro-
ceedings. lie would be above-board In
the business; and if we were really to
do nothing during the holidays, let US
boldly say 80. and not resort to any I'M
Piled and covert understanding. And
ii gentlemen were unwilling to vote in
favor of the resolution, he hoped they
would give punctual attendance during
that period, and not be the first to 60
home and the last to return.
The question on the indefinite post
ponement of the resolution, was then
taken, Yeas, 1874, Nays, 80.
So the House determined that the
said resolution be indefnitel y post
poned.
MIR. Golden submitted for considera-
ton the following resolve, which, accor-
ding to the rules o. the House, lies on
the table one day Of course
Resolved, That the commissioners
OF the Navy Fund be requested to re-
port to tu;s House whether all the sick
and disabled seamen or the United
States who have contributed to the
sums received under the acts for the re-
lief OF sick and disabled seamen have,
during the years 1917, 1918, 1919. and
1890, been relieved when they applied
for relief; and, if not, why relief In
such cases has been refused.
Resoioed, That the said commits
sioners be requested also to report
what are the existing rules and orders
to the agents OF government which reg
uiate the admission Of sick and disabled
seamen into the hospitals of the Unit
ed States
The engrossed bill providing for pay
ing to the state of Missouri three per
cent, of the nett proceeds arising from
the sale of Public Lands within the
state, was read third time.