The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-09

The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole, and took up the bill making appropriations for
the civil and diplomatic expenses of the Government.
STATE PRISONERS
The question upon the motion of M. Jones,
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, to
ill up the blank in the clause approprating money for
defrayng the expenses Of the judiciary system of the
United States, and for dcfraylng the expenses of the
suits in which the United States are concerned and
of prosecutions for offences committed against the IT,
States and for the safekeeping of prisoners with the
sum of $500 900.
Mr.. CUSHING moved to amend this motion by
providing that IS 600 of this be devoted to the
purpose of the more commodious custody and treat
ment of the three State prisoners Mackenzie Johnson
and Van Rcnsselaer) now in confinement for violations
of the neutrality act
Mr.. CUSHING said that the manner in which
these men, who in every sense prisoners of State
were kept, was unworthy ofthe dignity Of the nation
Mr. c. was proceeding to urge the adoption of his
amendment very strenuously when he was called to
order by Mr.. Craig of Virginia, the ground of
irrelevancy.
The CHAIRMAN said that the amendment was
in order, and that the remarks of Mr.. Gushing
quite pertinent TO it.
Mr.. CUSHING insisted on his right to the floor
Mr. Craig, being prompted by Mr.. Vanderpocl, then
raised an objection that the amendment itself out
of order The Chair decided that it in order.
Mr. Craig appealed and some discussion followed on
the appeal.
Mr.. DROMGOOLE said Mr. Cushing's amend
ment amounted to proposition to give a salary of
eight hundred dollars to each of these prsonersl
Mr. CRABB said if that was the only objection Of
the gentleman from Virginia, he would say that he
would as readily vote salary to the State prisoners
as to some of the officers already provided for in the
appropriation bill; and who far more deserving
OF incarceration and punishment
The decision of the Chair was reversed; and the
amendment dccar to be out of order
Mr.. CUSHING then said he hoped the Chairman
of the Committee of Ways and Means would present
to the House the estimates on which this large appro-
pration is asked for.
Mr.. JONES entered into some explanations; but
still left the matter very much it stands the
large round sum of $500 900 being given TO be cx-
pended at the discretion of the Executive
After few remarks from Mr. Gushing on the inn
proprety of allowing much to this underlined discrc
ton, the question taken, and the blank was filled
as proposed,
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Mr.. EVANS, of Maine. by direction of tho Com
mhtce of Ways and Means offered an amendment
proposing the sum Of i5 900 for the thd volume of
Clarke and Forces Documentary History of the
American Revolution
This appropriation is necessary to sustain the credit
and good faith Of the Government for under the au.
thority Of act of Congress and Nv contract en-
tered into between the Secretary of State and the
publishers, the work was commenced The volumes
have been actually delivered and this was n sinplc
proposition to pay for them II would have been in
cuded in tho General Appropriation Bill when it was
reported, but the Secretary of the Treasury did
send in the estimates at tho proper time.
The selection of Mr. EVANS to offer this propo-
siton was a cunning device of the Administration
majority of the Committee of Ways and Means, TO
throw upon the Opposition tho trouble of carrying it
through, and any odum that might attach to it twas
known that of the small economy dcmagogues
of 'thc party" would oppose II, for party effect
| They did so PETRiKIN commenced the rcss-
lance Mr. Evans advocated the amendment and by
showing that to refuse the appropriation would be a
violation of public faith and refusal to pay Just
debt he shamed the most Of its opponents into 81
lcncc The motion was finally agreed TO-