The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-18

The CHAIRMAN said his remarks were no, in or.
der, there being no motion before the committee
Mr. STANLf then moved to strike out the item.
Mr. >. said, when the affairs of these public buildings
come 70 be investigated they would find more rotten
ness, fraud, and corruption, or as much, as In any
other branch Of the public service.
Mr. D spoke al some length, in investigation Of this
subject lie was succeeded by Messrs. Lincoln,
Adams, Petriken, and Jones. Aner which, MIR. S.
Withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. LEONARD, from the Committee on Public
Buildings, moved amendment Of the following
item.
For compensation to three assistants to the Com
missioner or Superintendent Of the Potomac Bridge
at so per day, including OIL fire. lamps, fuel re-
pairs, SlSO7.n
Mi l.. moved TO strike out the word three" and
insert "twoip and, also, 1907" and insert 9 1860"
which was carried.
MIR. MCCARTHY moved an addition OF $50 600 for
repairs OF said bridge
This was debated by Messrs VIM. Cost Johnson
Jones, Reed, Graham, and Monroe, showing the ne
cessy of such an appropriation.
Mr.. BARNARD moved an amendment, proyidino
that SO much OF this sum may be applied TO re-
pairs shall be applied under the direction Of the Sc
cretary of War" Mr.. b. made few remarks in
support Of the amendment and adverted To the neces
sy of bridge at that pacebeing the great thorough
fare on which our mails conveyed to New Orleans
and the South. These amendments should be adopt
ed the original appropriation should be struck out
there was necessity of hiring superinte
bridge of no use.
The amendments farther supported by Messrs
Morgan, Pope, and VIM. Cost johnson.
The question on the amendment of Mr.. McCart
was then taken and resulted: Affirmative 65 mega
tive 40 NO quorum.
The vote was again taken Affirmative rs, mega
tive A.
There still being no quorum, Mr. VANDERPO
moved that the committee rise. Which was carried.
Wherein the committee rose and the Chairman
ported the fact of no quorum TO the House.
Mr.. POPE moved call of the House.
On this MIR. VANDERPOEL called the yeas and
nays
As there appeared to be quorum (some members
having come in) MIR. POPE withdrew his motion.
The SPEAKER then counted the House; and
there appeared l23 members present-beng quorum.
The committee then resumed its session
The amendment of Mr.. McCARTY was then adopt
ed Affirmative 10, negative 40. And after which
the amendment OF Mr.. BARNARD
Mr.. LEADBETTER offered an amendment, APP
proprating d $4,000 for the completion Of the Cum
berand Road; which rejected not being in order.
MIR. FLOYD moved to strike out the item and the
amendments. Ncgatived.
MIR. GREEN, Of Kentucky moved to strike out all
the items of appropriation having reference to the
Branch MINIS Of North Carolina, Georgia, and New
Orleans and the expenditures connected Herewith.
Mr.. G. contended that those establishments had
been created to give Offices to avortes, and made
remarks directed to the necessity of carrying out the
promises of retrenchmcnt and reform which they
had made before the People, and which the coming
Administration was bound to carry out
MIR MASON, of o. contended that it would be time
enough vindcae the principles Of Gen Harisons adj
nnis alton after il had come into power; and that
the friends OF that eminent citizen should orbeaI,
long they remained in helpless minority in this
House, to attempt work which could never be judi
cously and properly executed without reference to
regular and general system of reduction and economy.
He adverted to the just grounds of exception which
might be taken to those establishments, but thought
that there was no sufficient information before the
House which could authorize its action upon them at
this moment. Why should the w hig party undertake
reforms now, when they in minority, and when
they could neither carry proposition of their own,
the success of any proposition which their
adversares might bring forward Let them be pa
tient till they came into power and they would then
find in him judiclous and consderate friend TO all
reforms.
Mr.. M. illustrated his views on this subject at CON
siderable length.
Mr.. GRAHAM, of North Carolina, opposed the
amendment. He could not agree with the mover of
had in view--economy. He (Mr. CD wished the
good administration Of those establishments, not their
destruction
The amendment opposed by Mr. Common.
Mr.. GRAVES felt disposed to vote for the amend
Of his colleague this however inauspcius
moment to test the question but lift should appear
that the purposes of economy would be answered by
aboshing these establishments, he, for one ready
to carry the principles of reform and retrench-
ment which he had protested. Mi G. also expressed
his views at length.
Mr.. BYNUM then obtained the floor, but yielded
to motion that the committee rise, which motion hav
ing prevailed, the committee
After the committee
Mr.. BANKS asked leave to resolution to
establish post road in his district.
Mr.. PECK objected.
And at half-past four o'clock, the House adjourned