Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-12-22

led the bureau Of prescription. 1t has
had good deal to do: 1t had done a
good deal Its business must be nearly
at an end. All haG probably been touch
ed by it, whom it could well lay its hands
on. Its services might now perhaps be
dispensed with. He also hoped that the
time would soon come when the Depart
ment could pay all the expenditures with
the receipts Of the year. 1t appeared
that upwards Of eighty thousand dollars
have been taken out Of the surplus to
defray the expenses"
Mr.. Grundy, one Of the Post Office
Committee, was desrous of having it
referred to that Committee.
Mr.. Holmes wanted to take peep
behind the Executive curtain. Great
errors and abuses might exist 1t would
be well to enquire into the concerns the
Department.
| Mr.. Noble said he would not be ted
complaints had been made against this
Department. There was Obadiah B.
Brownie did not wish to DC rough
and there were the relations Of Richard
Nj. Johnson, Of Kentucky, who had
large contracts with that Department for
carrying the mail. Worthy and honor
able citizens felt aggrieved at the lavorit-
ism shown by this Department 1t was
well known, that in that and other De-
partments of the Government, they who
were most in the habit of dancing atten-
dance were the most successful in their
applications. Rash as this declaration
might be considered in him, he had said
it, and he should not reract. Let these
Departments be brought to the bar Of
justice, and tested by their conduct. If
he were one Of the majority, he would
not without an inquiry intothe conduct of
any officer, even from Andrew Jackson
down to the humblest menial. He meant
in this remark no allusion to the high
minded and honorable public officers who
differed from him in politics.-He re-
spected them as much as any gentle
men. A star from the West would short
ly appear here. lie hailed its approach. &.
The sooner the Augean stable was clean
sed, the better. A similar inquiry was
had under the former Administration,
and why not under this? That distin-
guished reformer, Mr.. Ingham, was
Chairman of the former Committee Of
Inquiry. He also alluded to that other
chief of reiormers, (Mr. Van Buren,
whose late message had shut up the great
out let ofthe West
Mr. Bell was for inquiry. The public
complaints demand it. 1t was due to the
Department as well as those who desired
the inquiry, that it should be made.
Mr.. King did not believe the p. Nj.
General would shrink from any inquiry,
but the Committee on Post Offices was
the proper Committee to make the inqui-
ry.
Mr.. Clayton thought it was fair that
the Senate should select Committee for
themselves.
Mr.. White insited on the Post Office
Committee. Mr.. Chambers objected.
The inquiry was not strictly within their
province. They were not appointed for
that, but for other purposes.
The motion to refer it to the Post
Office Committee was decided in the
negative, 10 to 90. All who voted in
the negative are anti-Administration.
Mr.. Baker, the new member from Hi
nois, voted with the JAG kson members.
MIR. Clayton's resolution for select
comm. was agreed to. The President of
the Senate has the appointment of Com
mittces, unless it is unanimously agreed
the Senate shall elect. Mr.. Grundy
would not consent: The President then
announced for the Committee, Messrst.
Clayton, Grundy, Holmes, Woodbury.
and Henrcks: three Jackson men,.
Mr. Robbins brought in bill prescrib-
ing the mode Of commencing and pros
ecuting controversies between states.
Thursday, December l6,
A Message of the President recon-
mended an act to extend the time Of
completing the census, which will not be
accomplished in the time allowed by law.
The Report of the Secretary of the
Treasury was received, the reading dis
pensed with, and 1900 copies ordered to
be printed.
A bill was introduced for relief of
Thomas Cooper, the nullifer, who was
fined under the old sedition law.
The Senate held q secret sitting on ex-
ecutive business.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Thursday, December 9, 1880.
In the House Of Representatives, Mr..
Hoffman submitted a series of resolutions