Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-02

reported bill granting to the State of Ohio on certain
conditions all the lands OF the United States in that
States which also read and referred to Committee
Of the Whole on the state Of the Union, and directed
be printed.
The Speaker laid before the House communication
from d. Green, containing proposals for reprinng
binding the public documents from the first Congress TO
the thirteenth Congress- both nclusve; which commu-
ocauon committed 10 a Committee of the Whole
House, to which is committed the join Resolution rela
tive to the printing Of certain public documents.
The Speaker also laid before the House a communica-
ton from William Greer, containing similar proposals.
which referred to the Committee.
The Speaker also laid before the House, letter from
the Secretary Of War; transmitting the Estimate of the
Of completing the survey and estimate of canal to
connect the waters Of the Atlantic and the Gulf Of Next
CO.. called for by the House, the Goth Instant re-
ferred % the Committee of Ways and Means.
The House took up the consideration of the special or
der of the day. being the following resolution introduced
by MIR. De Witt, from the Committee on Retrenchment:
Resolved. That the annual allowance of fifteen hun
dred dollars, heretofore made in the disbursements of
the House OF Representatives for the service OF drafts
man be and the same is hereby discontinued.
Mr.. De Witt observed that it could be necessary
on the subject of the resolution before II, than wha,
appeared upon the face Of the letter from the Clark
BY that letter every gentleman would perceive, that
the Office Of craftsman snzea by law
Of Congress- but the mere instance OF the Sps akers
will; Tor the resolution which originally gave birth 10
it, expired, he believed, with the close Of the
zion during which it was introduced and adopted.
IL his information was correct, this Office was got up
some five six years ago. when nguished ciii-
OF the West presided over the deliberations of the
House, and the mania for cutting roads and canals first
seized the nation. At that period, aImo. every mem
Der, from almost every part Of the Union, in his
place, and moved for the survey Of favorte route;
20 be accompanied, OF course with the requisite
charts, prshles, SC. We all know, however said MIR.
DE Witt, that the fever has, in great measure not
altogether, abatod; and, in the opinion OF the Com.
mee on Rerenchnent the office Of craftsman has, in
effect, become a sinecure. Besides, if he was no,
greatly mistaken, the duty Of furnishing maps and
prohlcs Of route surveyed deyeived upon the eng-
neers and artists engaged in making it, true he
continued, the individual filling hi, Office according
to the statement Of the Clerk had made several draw
ings-and there now hung behind the Speakers back,
large map Of the United States from his pen but could
any gentle inform him in what this map as
omore value 10 members, than other maps the Uni
ted States in the public offices Of the Capitol. We had
almost said in every OF il? To show that he had
some ground for the remark that the office had become
snecure, he felt his duty to state, authority which
n. could not doubt that the individual alluded last
TALL found leisure 10 repair Richmond in Virginia. and
ndd oeen employed until very recently in reporting the
debates o. the Convention which sat there 10 amend the
Constitution OF that State-an object, certainly, mos.
worthy Of performance but not as he conceived by the
craftsman OF the House OF Representatives Of tho u S.
receiving salary of Sl5os per annum. Nay. more,
painful as II might be TO him. he add on authority
which he deemed equally safe, that the same individ
ua was usually employed during the sessions Of this
Rouse, in reporting debae- for the National tegen
cer-an object which he also willingly admitted TO
De worthy oil performance, but not al the public ex
pense.
The subject was one, said Mr.. De Witt, which did
not admit OF much debate. IL a naked que son
tor the House to dee rhine; and therefore, he wouid
toreear to enlarge. II, under all the circumstances
that might be stated and The explanations that might no
given, 1t was ultimately thought fit retain the Office
he Tor one, would not compain-though in that even
u would be better perhaps, to establish it, and define
Its duties by an act; for this mode of discussing the
public money, to say the least, very loose and
ought 10 be discoyp:enanced What he had said did
not originate in any motive Of interest or prejudice
He did not entertain toward the Individual in stion
any III will He was wholly unacqusinted with him
and should 70, know him, if he him. For these
reasons, and until he heard stronger cause assigned
Tor re aiming the office Of Draf smaD than had as yet
come TO his knowledge, he should vote for retrenchng
it. IL was his wish to act upon honorable principles
AMI to fulfil, far 10 him lay, the obligation impo.
ed upon him.
Mr. Tay lor thought the subject fit one for iuther
investigation; and he was, therefore, DESTROYS il should
be made the order Of the day for morrow in Com.
miitee of the Whole. on the state OF the Union.
fmessrs Coulter, Mercer, Whitilesey, johnson,
Goodenow and Wicklifs, also participated in the de.
bate.
After some remarks from Mr.. NJ rcer, on the sub.
jec' who said desirable, before the House pass
eu decision on the matter, to know what the ma
ture OF the office, and what had been the result of III
Iabors Of the incumbent.
Mr. Coulter advocated the resolution at some length
He contended that the office was created and connu-
ed without legal authority.
. Mr. DE Witt said, to give the Honorable gentleman
from Virginia lMr Mercer the information he desir
ed, Mr. DE Witt here called for the reading of the
Clerk letter;] which being done, he said he would
say but one word in reply the remarks of that Hon.
oraoie gentleman. when Congress had once deter
uined TO plunge this Government into grand schem
oil Internal Improvement, regardless Of the Consu-
hon Il would be time enough, he thought, TO org anze
department Tor drawing maps plans and proiles Of
routes AT present, he did suppose, that the abo
ton or retaining of the office Of Craftsman had apv
connexion whatever with that deep and solemn cues
ton.
MIR. Mercer signfed his assent
Mr. Wbcsey houg hit il due TO the C. ERIK of the House
10 say no blame cou be attributed him. in the ere.
auon OF this office. If there was any blame in the
case, II laid at the door Of the members of that House
he Clerk had been directed under resolution OF the
Rouse, 10 appoint such officer, and that officer had
p rormed important services for the Com
mtee the Post Office and Post Roads of which he
(Mr. W. was member. He deprecated the idea of
the House coming to hasty conclusion to abolish that
office.
Mr. johnson followed. and expressed desire to ac-
qnire further information before he voted upon the
question OF aholishing he office.
Mr. Wickihe said he of those who be leveJ
mat heirenchment and Reform" ant something
more than turning out one and putting in another
he proposition before the House had no such object ia
view. IL was 10 abolish the Office entirely az useless
and Furthermore. MIR. w. said when he he ard gentle
men proposing TO refer This resolution to Commute. Of
he hole on the state OF the Union he could not hui
eeIeve their intention 10 defeat its object and Ell
iSct oy an Indefinite posponement II thew really |
wanted lime TO investigate the subject, why no, move
its pesfponemeD 10 some stated period! He did no,
wish 10 cast any ceDsure the Clerk or the organ of
the House, Uhe Speaker for the employment; of the |
INDIVIDUAL who held the office proposed to be abolished
ne question with him was Oh the necessity Of contin
uing the office. Were there any other duties 10 be
perormed' After further obser atoms from Mr.
Wickfe, on being informed by the Speaker that mo.
ton to postpone would tske he mov.d ,h,