The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-22

He was inclined TO vote for this BILL under the be
/ lief that il more than act OF justice bu
let gentlemen who supported this bill beware Una, the,
did not 10 render this act OF mere kindness
Ii was reward for services of civil or military
| character; il ii was, he would not vote for H. They
might well, on this ground, 20 back and vote
bounty the descendants of all deceased Presi
| dents. He would vote for IT, not reward for any
thing but as a mere act of justice-of indemnity =
lie would limit il 10 the dollars and cents for the
mere expense but to il, and cover il with thai
iberality which would be worthy not only OF his me-
mory but the honor Of the nation.
Mr. POPE, of KY would say few words IN iavo'
Of this bill He was of the committee from whch
il was reported and he confessed he had some tie
doubts when this subject was rst eonsidefeu on une
very ground of the gentleman from Ohio ana DINERS
and he thought, after full investigation OF lhe sun
iect that all these constitutional scfuples would van
ish and they be prepared to vote for this bill on the
score of Justice
Harrison was called TO preside over the People as
Chief Magistrate and he appealed to gentlemen, whe-
Their Harrison had right decline the call OF the
countryl He Mr. p. took il for granted that he
had not To use the language OF another, the
Office OF President Of the United States, the highest
in the power OF this nation TO bestow Is one neither
To be sought nor declined" The President was bound
to obey the call of the People-he was called on by
the vote of nineteen out of twenty six States
He hoped on this occasion, that party would be
known in relation to the bill It would be unworthy
of any party to indulge party spirit In regard 10 the
bill now under consideration. The proposition, ne
hoped, would meet with fair and candid consideration,
by gentleman of all parties of this House. and by an
act worthy the character Of this nation and one that
would make an impression not only on the nation y
self but foreign countries with regard TO the dgni-
w. justice and liberality of this nation.
He had observed deep spirit among all parties, at
the death of our departed President He had been on
the public theatre nearly half century he died but
two months ago-he died without, imputation on his
character in private public life lie believed 1t
might be said of Harrison, that he was Christian
and Democrat, in the purest sense OF the word lie
loved his neighbor as himself and his country more
and no man deserved the respect and good feelings OF
the An ican People, since the days OF Washington,
more than Harrison.
Harrison was called on in November last to accept
the office Of President Of the United States and he
asked whether he was not under obligations accept
that caIl-and having accepted it, whether he not
bound then TO abandon all his private buslness-to
hold intercourse with the People of the United States
every whereto turn his attention to the state OF the
public business and TO make every sort OF preparation
necessary entering the duties OF his high office
Suppose after Harrison had left his home and come
to this city had made preparations for entering on hs
office, he had died the Sd March, II would be al
lowed that Congress had power to make Just and IL
beral compensation for all these sacrifices for entering
on the duties Of his office. He admired the senti-
ments Of the gentleman from Virginia { Mr. Gllmer)
that this should be made mere matter OF dollars
and cents but that just and liberal appropriation
should be made
Mr.. POPE gave way for explanation, in the course
of his remarks, to Messrs. Payne and Dean.
Mr.. BIDLACK advocated the bill.
He examined the proposition on two grounds first,
of expedency and second, of constltutlonailty. IL
matter OF right He had been in the service of
his country since November, when he was called to
the Presidential Chair and for this and the necessary
expenses of removal and PREPARATION there should be
a liberal recompense. a~
Mr. SERGEANT advocated the bill, moi as gra-
tuy, but as demand of justice which called loudly
for appropriations and he conceived that proposed
was the lowest that could be reasonably made
Mr.. UNDERWOOD wished to give the reasons
for his vote which would be in small minority
He rose with his judgment on one side and his heart
on the other. His objections to this bill was that it
was retro active in its operations-itwa discretionary
on the part of this body--not Executive Judi
cia discretion but Legislative He was opposed to
this principle and radically because it led to the
worst consequences. He contended that il their
duty legislators to pass laws for the future govern
men of the people and not applying to past events
If the bill were to be sustained the principle Of
indemnity, and if it We're modified he would vote
for it.
Mr.. YOUNG offered an amendment 10 the bll-to
insert $50 900
The bill farther advocated by Messrs. SUM
MERS, of Va J. b. THOMPSON, of Ky, VIM,
OSTJOHNSON, IRWIN, of Pa, MARSHALL
and COOPER, (who replied particularly to the re-
marks of Mr.. SNYDER yesterday; and opposed by
Messrs. GORDON, of N. y CHAS. BROWN, of
Pa and J. DEANE, Of Ohio.
Mr. YOUNG withdrew the amendment inserting
$4,000.
The vote was taken on the amendment Of Mr.
ADAMS TO insert s25 900 and carried
The committee then rose and reported the bill
Mr.. WELLER moved that the House ad iourn ne
gatlved affirmative So, negative 81
Mr.. FILLMORE called the previous question on
concurrence with the committee which ordered
by the House
Mr.. CHAPMAN, of Ala, moved that the House
adjourn negatived
The previous question shall the main question be
now put then carried
Mr.. WELLER moved that The House adjourn :;
negatived.
The main question on concurrng in the amend
ment taken, by yeas and nays at the call Of Mr..
INGERSOLL, and carried, yeas ll9, nays 70.
The SPEAKER then stated the question to be on
ordering the bill TO be engrossed to third reading.
On this, Mr.. FILLMORE moved the previous
question; which demanded by the House.
Mr.. WELLER moved that the House adjourn
negatived.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, of Nd moved that the bill be
recommtted, with instructions 10 insert one-quarter
salary CSC 250) This was decided out OF order
The question being the third reading and pas
sage Of the bill
Mr. KENNEDY, of Indiana called the yeas and
nays which were ordered, and the bill passed yeas
1872 nays 66.
(lt appropriates S25 900 to Mrs. Harrison
On motion of Mr.. CLIFFORD, the House ad,
Journed at half past eight o'clock
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,