Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-23

MI bfent moved 10 lay the OIL on the table, as
he believed 1t was not approved or recommended
by the Secretary OF the Treasury, the Comprol-
Ter.
Mr.. Powell defended the bill, also did Mr.
Forsyth, who contended that all the objections
urged sgainst the bill had been yesterday answered
by the chairman of the committee OF Ways and
Means, who prevented by indisposi,ion from
attending in his place to day, they ought not to be
allowed TO have weight to-day.
Mr. Bartlett, of ". III. spoke also in favor OF the
bill, and was followed, on the same side, by Mr.
Wright Of Ohio.
Mr. Weems said, that if this new efice was Gre
atsd, the Comptroller of the Treasury would be
left without any thing TO do. He ntnated that
the object was, to have another law officer the
spot, because the Attorney General is never ON the
spo, to do his duty.
MIR. Cambreleng corrected the statement of the
gentleman from Md, and stated that The duties of
this Office would relate rather to matters of fact than
OF law. He expressed his opinion that this Office
would save from two 10 three hundred thousand
dollars year to the revenue. He referred to the
case oil Thompson and the tas and asserted that the
losses which had been sustained by the government
from that source, would not have occurred, ii this
new Office had been created.
MIR. lnsham of Pa. spoke in opposition to the
bill, asserting that5t not authorized by neces
si'y or eXpediency. He replied to the in,inaon
oil the last gentleman as to the teas at Philadelphia,
that the Collector at that port had been unjuslly
censuTed That officer refused to take the securi-
| ties OF Mr.. Thompson, who then made appeal
to the Treasury Department, where the securities
were taken.
| MIR. Dwight corrected the Misrepresentation of
gentlemen, and explained the real duties of the
Office.
| Mr.. Allen, of Mass. moved to lay the bill on
the rable-ayes 10 noes 81.
So The bill was ordered 10 lie on The table.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
On motion of Mr.. Everett, OF Mass. the House
went into committee of the whole, Mr.. Lathrop.
of Mass. in the chair, on the bill making appropr-
alton for completing and furnishing The public
buildings.
| The bill appropriates 1000 dellars for the
capitol, % 900 dollars for furnishing the large west
room of the Presidents House, and sum for keep
ing the public grounds round the Capitol in order.
Mr.. Everett, Chairman of the [ Committee who
ported the bill, explained lis several items, begin
ming with that which appropriates g for finishing
the large room in the Presidents House, and for
the purchase of furniture for said House. the sum
| of twenty five thousand dollars -
This sum had been inserted, in consequence OF
an estimate made by two upholsterers. No com
munication had been had with the present occu-
pant OF that building, did the Committee ex-
press any opinion 10 the expediency or mex
| pediency of this expenditure.
Mr.. Beecher, of Ohio, moved TO strike out this
! item.
Mr.. Forsyth opposed the motion to strike OUT
considering it a matter OF proprety, decency, and
decorum, that, this House had been erected for
the Chief Magistrate, and he was compelled by
law to ~e>ide in it, that it should be furnished in
style appropriate 20 the building. The policy Of
such law, Mr.. f. greatly doubted; believing that
it would have been more proper that the President
should have been suffered 10 live in such style
ne might himself choose, gentleman; but, since
the nation had chosen TO erect a palace, it was
now fl that they should furnish it. All he wanted
was to know whether large as tvs enty-
FIVE thousand dollars would be requisite?
| Mr.. Everett explained, and repeated, in sub
stance, the statement he had before made
Mr.. Webster thought the subject nigh, easily be
disposed Of, and wished the gentleman from Ohio
so to modify his motion as 10 include only som
sufficient 10 renew such parts OF the furniture of the
Presdents's House unfit for use.
Nj. Carson, OF n. e.. made remarks, which,
for wait ofrocm, we are obliged 10 defer 10 our
next
Mr.. Beecher then modified his motion so as to
strike ont " twenty five thousand dollars,'' and
insert, for the purchase OF furniture, FIVE thousand
dollars
The amendment agreed to.
Mr. Beecher then moved further amendment,
striking out the appropriation for graduating the
grounds round the Presidents House; but, after an
explanation and remonstrancc on The part Of AIr.
Everett, he consented 10 withdraw this motion.
After some further conversation between Messrs.
Forsyth, Everett and Bartlett this item was agreed
TO, and the House took up the next, viz: - For
continuing the work the Capitol, the sum OF
one hundred thousand doars.'
| Mr. Everett went into full explanation of THE
item IN the bill. 1t proposed no new building but
only the erection of strong wall around the base
ment story of the Western front, at such distsnc
as enclose an erea which was TO be arched over,
and covered with earth and sods. This would
answer The double purpose Of hiding defect uni
versaly complained OF in that front of the Capitol
Ia defect not chargeabe on the present architect
but arising from the position of the building on the
brow of hiil) - and, also, of furnishing conye-
/ nient repository for the great quantity of wood
which is, by the present usage, kept in the cellars
of the Capitol ITSELF to the manifest danger OF that
building
| Mr. Whittesey moved to strike ont 100 600
dollars, and insert $50 rs, which sum he saw
reported as sufficient complete the capitol upon
the present Plan--he thought the western front
need no ccncealmen, but decidedly the hand
soonest front presented by this building He though,
no serious danger could arise from keeping fuel in
the vaults Of the building.
Some further explanations were then made bv
| Mr.. Eyerett-when
The question was taken on the amendment Of
Mr.. Whttlesey, and decided in the negative ayes
81, noes 60.
Mr.. Mitchell, of Nd moved an amendment as
| an additional section, by which il was reo,,ired
that all the furniture for the Presidents House
50 should, as far as practicable, be OF American or
domestic manufacture
1t was carried.
MI Everett then moved small appropriation
to enable The widow OF one Of the artists from aIy,
II NaN~