Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-04-14
TwENTX-FIRsT CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WEDNESDAY, March 81.
TYPOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS.


The bill making appropriations for Ger
tain surveys, &c. was taken up for thuc
reading.
Mr.. Wicklife moved 10 amend the b.
in the clause appropriating money for SUI
yeys, by adding proviso, that the sun
appropriated should be expended on worh
heretofore directed; or which may be dTec-
ted by either House Of Congress.
Mr.. Clay expressed hope that the I'm
itation would not be adopted, and askeo
for the yeas and nays on the question.
At the suggestion Of MIR. McDufie, Nj
CLAY withdrew his call for the yeas arr
nays, which was immediately renewed b.
Mr. Wicklife.
The yeas and NAYS were then ordered.
Mr. Ellsworth expressed his hope lha
the amendment would not be adopted. he
reminded the House that Il had been Gus
tomary to pass an appropriation of thir
kind annually; and he desired hat 1t b.
applied on the usual principle, that the
same discretion, which had been hitherto
given to the proper department In the dis
bursemeut of this money, should still be
given to them. He argued against tie
proposed change as mexpedient, unjust,
and unreasonable.
Mr. McDufTie repeated the objections
he had urged against this limitation at the
last session, when a similar proposition
was uegatiyed by vote Of four to one.
If this Limitation should be adopted, every
member will have his own peculiar project
carried through, or no proposition will
pass. Complaints had been made that the
works begun were not National, yet it was
proposed TO compel the Government to
complete them instead of taking up others
which might be National. 1t was there
fore an unreasonable proposition, and he
hoped it would not be adopted.
Mr. WlckIffe defended his motion on
the ground generally of the abuse which
the present mode led to, the unimportant
nature of the works which itenabled MEN,.
bcrs TO procure to be undertaken, &c.
Mr.. Martin stated, that although oppo-
sed TO the system, he was still more oppo-
sed TO the amendment, IN its present form.
If the system was to be continued, he was
Tor leaving It's exercise where it Was now,
to tho Executive, and to keep this House
as clear as possible Of the contention, and
the agitation which it was calculated to
produce here. he then moved TO amend
the amendment, BY striking out, cor such
as may hereafter be directed by either
House Of Congress
Mr.. Ellsworth thought his proposition
was exceptionable. Ii seemed to cOntem-
plate that whenever a proposition for
any appropriation for any particular
work is made, the subject IS to undergo
a discussion in this House; and member
are to DO called on to decide, with the ST..
perfcial knowledge they must be supposed
to possess, on the preference OF ma!uaE q
survey for route here, over that fer
route there lie hoped therefore, that The
amendment would not prevail.
Mr.. Trezvant made some remarks D.
Cainet the commitment of a discretion to
the Departments rs to the direction Of any
surveys. Tie wished to confne the ap-
10 such surveys as have been
and that the House should
decide on the PrOprIety of new
ones. lie argued at some length in eX-
PLANTATION of his views, and hoped the a
mendment Of the gentleman from s. Caro-
lima would not be adopted.
Mr.. Test here called for the previous
question, but the call was not seconded.
Mr.. Martin explained his own vlews, so
as 10 remove a miscOnception which he
thought seemed to prevail as to his course.
MIR. Hall opposed the whole system, the
amendment as well as tine bill itself II
he took the amendme,G Of Mr. Martin, the
remainder of Mr.. WlckhtFe's amendment
would contain enough TO involve all his
principles. He could vote for none Of the
questions proposed.
Mr.. Mercer suggested that many sur
veys had been ordered by Congress which
have not yet been commenced. And the
effect Of the amendment would be to re-
lievc the Executive Of all responsibility
whatever.
Mr.. Trezyant said few words in OK
PLANTATION.
Mr.. Tucker moved to strike oct the en-
acting words, and called for tic yeas aud
nays, which were ordered.
At the suggestion of No McDudie, Mr..
Tucker withdrew his motion to amend.
The amendment moved by Mr.. Martin
to the amendment, was then negaaycd.
Mr.. =. ?. Barbour suggested a niodif-
cation Of the amendment so as 70 strike out
the words ''eithcr House Of, so as to read
shall be directed by Congress.
Mr.. Wicklllie declined 10 accept the