The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-02-27

Mr. CAMPBELL the chairman OF tina, committee, was in
the following words
I" Resolved, That the Committee Of Elections be au-
thorzed TO have such papers printed under It's drec
uon, as may be thought necessary TO facilitate its nves-
legations into the subjects referred TO its consideration
Mr. JOHNSON had moved to amend il, az follows:
Strike all after the word resolved. and insert,
mat all the papers before the Committee OF Elections,
including their journal, in relation TO the New Jersey
Election, beprn,ed for the Of the House aud the
committee.
lie now modified that amendment so to read thus:
TO report to this House such papers and such Of
iher proceedings as they may desire 10 have printed by
order Of the House aud that they be instructed also
TO report forthwith which five Of the ten individuals
claiming seats from the State Of New Jersey received
the greatest number Of from the whole State for
Representatives In the Congress Of the United States
The election Of 1888 in said State, with oil the evil
dence Of that fact in their possession Prorded That
nothing herein contained shall be SO construed as to pre-
vent or delay the action OF said committee in taking
imonv. and deciding the said upon the merits off
the election"
Mr.. FlsaEn, Of North Carolina, yesterday, went
at large into speech in support Of the amendment
and in which he also entered into the constitutional
argument OF the right OF members to hold seats on
the ground Of legal returns until their election could
be looked into which right he slrenuously denied.
He was followedby Mr. SMITH, OF Con-. who made
powerful and impressive speech, in the course OF
which he animadverled warmly on the course OF
Mr.. Fisher in attacking the conduct OF the Com
miltee. This gentleman finished his remarks To-
day. and his effort has given him high rank as an
effective debater, and man Of remarkably vigorous
and comprehensive mind.
Mr. c. JOHNSTON OF NY, addressed the Speaker
and said he rose from his seat TO make an appeal TO
his honorable friend from Connecticut who was
entitled TO the floor. He wished v present, for the
consideration Of the House two resolutions OF much
Importance not only 10 the principles involved in
Them but in order prevent what he considered, an
Unauthorized application Of the moneys OF this Go
vernment. He asked this privilege Of his honorable
friend not only personal favor, but an act OF
Justice to the country.
Mr.. SMITH consented TO have the resolutions read
which were accordingly read by the Clerk.
Whereas it is alleged tina, the Clerk Of this House,
without the authority OF law or sanction Of this
House OF Representatives, did on the 25th day Of
March, and Odd day Of December last make two
raj contracts in writing with one S d. Langlree, and by
which contracts said Langtree agreed TO furnish all the
stationery and all the luhographng and copper
plato engraving which should be required for the 26h
Congreos, may more fully appear by referring TO said
contracts respectively
And whereas it is alleged, that in pursuance Of said
contract contracts said Langree (who is neither
statoner photographer, or engraver) has furnished and
delivered to SAID Clerk for the use OF this House,
large quantity OF stationery, and has presented his bill
for the same, amounting to 1881 81, and that said
stationery particularly the paper) is Of inferior quality,
and charged prices equal TO 20 per cent above the
usual prices Of stationery OF the best quality, and by
which difference Of price and quality this Government
(if said bill is alowed) would sustain loss Of more
than 81 900 for the stationery already delivered and
that If said contracts should be sanctioned by this
House. and continued in force during the 26,h Com
gress the Government would be subjected to sacri-
6ce OF more than $4,000, arising from the employ
of another person to perform the duties which the
Clerk himself is required TO perform by the resolution
OF this House, passed March 3d. 1927 and under which,
i, has been the uniform practice Of the Clerks Of this
House 10 furnish the stationery until the making OF tho
contracts above agreed to. Therefore,
Hesolred That the Clerk Of this House has no pow
er or authority to make any prospective contract which
will require any application Of money out Of the
trgen fund Of this House, or an appropriation by Con-
gress satisfy the same without the express authority
Of this House and that the contracts referred to are
wholly imperative aDdvo
Resotred ncperfhclcss, That If the said LangtIec
shall In wrng) elect TO give. up and cancel the SAID
two contracts, then, and in that event the Committee
Accounts hereby authorized to audit and allow to
him his bill for stationery already delivered, and services
performed under such contracts subject TO such deduc
tons as onqht 10 be made hereom account OF tho
quality and the prices charged therefor; and that said
Committee have power send for persons and papers
SENATE CHAMBER,
February 90 1910.
To Tie Editor Of The Aiadisonian:
In The debate on the Cumberland resolutions, re-
ported in your paper Of The 22d instant, there are
some inadverencies which justice to myself as well
as Mr.. Allen, OF Ohio, induces me to correct II is
tins: the words contempt and base are reported as
used by me- Edo not recolect precisely what did
say but these are words do not recoliect TO have