Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-09

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then suspended.
Mr.. Letcher rose to inquire from the Chair,
n the statement to be given In EXPLANATORY as to
the subject of pay and mileage Of the members,
was ready? II so, he wished it. in order to re-
move and prevent any erroneous impression that
might be drawn from circumstances
The Speaker said he was ready to give the ex-
PLANTATION, and, if it was the pleasure OF the House
in writing.
Mr.. Letcher replied for the House, in the at.
firma,ive, and said, if the explanation was salts
factory. it might be desirable to have printed,
The Speaker thereupOn stated that in giving
the information asked for from the Chair, as to
the manner in which the members draw their
paw, for attendance and mileage, the Speaker
informs the House, that az its presiding officer,
he has, during the present session, made four
reuuisitions on the Treasury Department. for the
following sums, and under the following dates,
viz:
On the 9th December, 1881, $4,000 dollars
18th January, 1889, 100000 dollars
Goth March, do 100000 dollars
10th Nav, do 100000 dollars
In these acquisitions the Secretary OF the Urea
sury was requested to order warrant to be Is
sued from the Treasury in favor of the Cashier OF
the Branch Bank Of the United States in Wash.
isgton, for the sums required to pay the mem
bers of the House Of Representatives for mile
age and attendance at the present session Ot Con-
gres.
Copies of these acquisitions are obtained, and
are now presented to the House.
When members wish TO draw for the whole or
any part Of the amount of pay due to them, land
they cannot draw in advance,) they apply T." the
Sergeant at Arms of the House, (whose duty 1t Is
to Keep the books and accounts, and prepared
L \ oh fo,s oh TN
exceeding the sum due to the member, which the
sneaker signs. and the monev is dla"n from the
Bank, (under the authority Of the reqnisiton up
on the Treasury Department., by the Sergeant at
Arms. and paid to the individul members.
The Bank advances no money To pay the mem
tbers for their attendance or mileage, until the
Speaker issues his requistlon upon the treasury
for that purpose.
This has been the course heretofore pursued
(as the Chair is informed) with the Bank in which
the Government deposites we're made. before the
establishment of the present Bank Of the United
States in 1917, and with the Bank since that
period.
Mr.. Letcher said. from the explanation then
gwen, it was wholly impossible Tor any person,
who chose to understand the subject, now to mis-.
understand it; and believing that it contained
true statement of all the facts i'll relation to 1t,
| to censure or duplicate the gentlemen who pub
lished the document complained Of, he would
move the following resolution, viz:
Resolved That the statement now made by
the Speaker, as to the manner in which the men,
bers of this House draw their compensation for
attendance and mileage, be entered on the jour.
nails, printed, and appended to the statement in
the Minority Bank Report, in explanation there
of.
On this resolution desultory conversation
arose, in which Messrs. Hoffman, White, and
Letcher, participates; the latter, in order to
check it, and proceed to the more important bu-
siness before the House, moved the previous
question, but waived the motion in favor OF MIR.
Z. Whittlesey, and the subject was discussed at
some length by Messrs. Whittesey, Patton,
Arnold, Evans, and Letcher. The last named
gentleman having obtained the floor, renewed
his motion for the previous question, which mo-
ton prevailed by considerable majority, and
the resolution was then adopted.
The House then, on motion of Mr.. Watmough,
suspended the rule, and went into Conmittee of
the Whole on the state of the Uniop, Mr. Craw-
ford in the Chair to consider the bill further to
extend the pensions heretofore granted to the
widows Of persons killed or who died in the ma
val service, and after some impressive remarks
by Mr.. Watmough, in support of the bill, the
Committee agreed thereto, rose and reported the
bill to the House.
The question then being on the engrossment
for third reading.
Mr.. Hoffman stated his objections to the bill.
at length.
Mr.. Polk said, as the debate was likely to con-
time, he would move to postpone further proceed
ings on the bill until Thursday next.
Mr.. Moves Barbour moved the previous ques.
ton, which had precedence Of the motion to post
pone.
Mr.. C. P. White demanded the yeas and nays;
which were not taken.
The motion for the previous question being then
seconded, ayes 20, and the main question order
ed
The bill was ordered to be engrossed for third
reading this day, ayes go. noes not counted.
The House then, on motion of Mr.. Adams,
resolved itself into Committee of the Whole
on the state Of the Union, Mr.. Speight in the
Chair, and resumed the consideration OF the ia
riff bill.
Mr. Nav;s pho uss in nossession of the floor,