The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-13

House without control or accountability saw III to APP
ply the funds the House had nothing 10 do but to ra
~ and sanction his There ought in Mr. 4 OPT
MON, TO be some committee appointed which should
have charge Of these matters before the expenditures
MIR. JOHNSTON, Of New York, addressed the
committee at much length the subject Of the abuses
which had crep into this branch ofthe public pendi
lures.
Mr.. PROFIT stated that, ON a calculation made
by him. he found that the stationery bill for this SEES
sion alone was about 25, 000 which was al the rate
OF Si03 for every member of the House. He was sa-
ished That 80 would pay the stationary bill Of every
gentleman this year, and he hoped that some member
better skilled in these things would make am estimate
and submit i to the action of the committee
Mr.. UNDERWOOD said that some years ago he
was on committee appointed to investigate this very
supecti and, alter minute examination, the commit
lee had come to the conclusion that there was but
remedy and that was to pursue the suggested
ny the gentleman from Indiana, (Mr Profiit.) He
MIR. had intended to suggest TO the committee n
proposition that in lieu Of stationery and newspapers
each member OF Congress shall be allowed g. annu-
any" The committee could fill up the blank with
any sum that might be computed to be proper. This
was the only remedy. The same complaints had been
made year after year. and would continue to be made
until the end of time unless some such plan this
were adopted
Mr. JONES, of Va, gave to the committee such in
formation had been in possession Of the Committee
of Ways and Means in regard 10 these estimates and
stated that the estimates of the Clerk had been reduced
in the committee $25, 900 below the amount contain
ed in those which had been read at the Clerks table
The committee had supposed that the amount now
asked for about the proper sum- and IN that they
had looked with proper eye to economy-an object
which he DESTROYS TO promote, when il could
be properly done any other gentleman. Mr.. J.
then replied TO certain portions Of the argument of Mr..
Johnston contending that blame if blame there was,
should rest in the proper quarter and that il did not
belong where the gentleman had laid It,
MIR, JOHNSON of Virginia, also replied to parts
Of the observations of Mr. Johnson Of New York, in
to ss Of vsa the ss osa s
occasional exPISnations to Messrs JOHNSON, Of
Mr.. GRAHAM moved to amend the amendment
by striking out the whole item of 1926 OOO as the only
way of putting end TO the abuses which were un-
doubleday practsed TO withhold the Appropriation
The sum Of 100000 had already been appropriated
for contingent expenses, (by former billy and that
Messrs. EVERETT, MORGAN, LEWIS WILL
LIAMS, TILLINGHAST and BYNUM, made
some remarks in favor of the amendment Of Mr.
Graham; and Messrs. FLOYD, EVANS, and MON
ROE, in opposition.
Mr. MORGAN gave notice that he would at the
proper time offer the following amendment;
And in the future delivery Of stationery of every
description to members Of tho House, the postmaster
shall Keep account Of the articles delivered to each
member with the prices thereof and the Clerk of the
House siaIi fHstTt III annual report Oh
gent expenses the aggregate amount Of the value Of
stationery received by the members respectively:
Mr.. LINCOLN here said that his only object in
submitting his motion was to brihg the matter to the
consideration of the House. and that being done. he
would now accept the amendment Of Mr. Graham
modification of his own.
And the question being on the amendment as modi-
fed
Mr.. TILLlNGHAST then gave notice of his in
tenon il the amendment failed to offer the following
g And nothing herein contained shall be construed
authorize or sanction contract for stationery
other articles Of merchandise for the use OF the
ing Congress by any officer of the present Congress
to an amount exceeding in the whole two thousand
dollars
Mr.. ADAMS sent to the Clerks table letter from
individual Of the of Stone" in relation to
the prices of TYPOGRAPHY
question he had had it in his possession for three
months, but had had opportunity of presenting it ::
and Che understood to add he despared of doing
any good by presenting it,
The letter then read.
The question discussed further by Messrs.
Tillinghast, Everett, Lincoln, and Underwood
Mr.. LINCOLN said that on subsequent examina
tons he found that his original motion the proper
ONE and heagain modified his proposition as to re-
duce the item from 1875 900, to $4,000 g. e. striking
out all that was applicable to the nert session of Con-
gress.)
And the question being taken, the amendment, thus
modified, was agreed to-.
So the item reduced from $25, 900 to $4,000.
Mr.. CURTIS then moved that the committee rise.
The motion having prevailed, the committee rose,
reported progress and obtained leave to sit again
Mr.. BURKE laid on the table resolution propo-
sing TO revive the select committee Of the last
appointed the subject of certain contracts made by
the Clerk for stationery engraving photography, &c.
to enable the committee to make report of the
proceedings, which they did not do at the last session
The resolution was read
Mr.. STANLY said he had something to say in re-
laton the dongs of the committee proposed to be
vved and which he should take opportunity ofsay
And the House adjourned until to morrow eleven
o'clock, A. NJ