The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THE VACANCY on the coaniTrEE or WAYS AND
MEANS.

THE VACANCY on THE coaniTrEE WAYS
MEANS.
Mr. EVERETT, Of Vermont. announced as
having been appointed by the Chair TO ill the vacancy
on the Committee Of WAYS and Means. made by the
sgnation Of Mr. Fletcher, and the subsequent deeen-
sion Of Mr.. Briggs
Mr. EVERETT rose and said that, considering what
had occurred few days SINCE upon the occasion Of Mr.
Fletchers resignation, he could not consistently with
the high regard and friendship which existed between
himself and that gentleman, reconcile II with his
OF proprety to accept the appointment with which the
Chair had honored him He begged leave TO add, more
over, that he had to this conclusion without
sultaton with any other person upon the subject
Mr.. CAMBRELENG requested to know the reasons
Of this request
Mr.. EVERETT repeated the substance of his re-
marks Just made Whereupon,
He was excused from serving on the Committee Of
Ways and Means, and the Speaker was empowered 10
fill the vacancy occasioned thereby. ....
REFERENCE OF THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
On motion of Mr.. HAYNES, of Georgia. the House
went into Committee Of the Whole, (Mr. ADAMS in the
char) and resumed the consideration Of the following
being the third resolution Offered by Mr. Haynes, and
which was under consideration when the committee
rose on Friday last
8 Resoired That so much Of said Message re-
ates the finances and every thing connected there
WITH aud the safekeepng OF the public moneys, and
every thing connected herewith be referred to the COM
mittee Of Ways and Means
Mr. DUNCAN OF Ohio. Mr. HOLSEY OF Georgia,
Mr.. c. ii. WILLIAMS Of Tennessee, and Mr.. CUSH-
ING, Of Massachusetts, addressed the committee at
length and their remarks will appear IN their order in the
debate, now in course Of publication,
Mr. CUSHING, Of Massachusetts, in closing his
marks offered the following resolution amendment
to the pending proposition OF the gentleman from Geor-
ga, and moved it be piiutnd which was ordered.
Whereas the influence OF the Executive DEPARTMENT
Of the Federal Government has, for some time past in
derogaton of the letter and spirit Of the Constitution,
continued to increase and ought TO be diminished
Resoired therefore, That, in order TO correct tho
said abuse, much Of the Presidents Message as re-
lates the collection sae-keepng, and transfer Of the
public money be referred TO -, with instructions 10
report
First, such method OF keeping the public treasure
effects, and other property III the judgment OF said
committee shall most conduce TO promote the welfare
and to secure the liberties Of tho people and
Secondly. such other reforms III the practice OF the
Government their opinion shall tend TO bring back
the administration thereof the standard Of the original
purity OF the Constitution
On motion Of Mr.. UNDERWOOD, Of Ky, the com.
mtee rose, and reported progress.
The SPEAKER laid before the House letter from
the Secretary Of War, transmitting report from the
Paymaster General, accompanied by copies Of docu-
men,s relating the claims of Tennessee volunteers
called for by the House on the l,h inst.
Also, letter from the Secretary Of War. accompa-
nyng his report OF The examination required by the order
OF the House Of Representatives Of February 81 1897,
Of the various positions heretofore examined within
the Of New York bay aud It's vicinity, which are
adapted TO the establishment and construction OF dry
docks, with their comparative advantages.
The House then adjourned.