The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-11
CONGRESS-.
stitutIons.

la the House on Saturday, during the read
ing of the journal, it was suggested that there
was no quorum, and that, under such circum-
stances, the reading should not go on. The
Speaker decided that the fact of quorum be-
ing present was not subject of inquiry till
question was raised. An appeal was taken from
this decision, and then motion was made to
lay the appeal on the table. The latter prevail
ed by vote Of 81 to II.
The motive of the first proposition seemed to
be that, by calling the ayes and noes, the names
of the absentees might be ascertained This
object was effected by the vote on the latter mo-
ton.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr.. Thompson, Of Indiana, in the chair,
and continued the consideration of the Appro-
priation bill. The subject under discussion,
pending from the previous day, was the amend
ment of Mr.. Winthrop to appropriate S150,00o
instead of $4,000 for the Custom house in
Boston. Mr.. Smith expressed his intention not
only TO vote against the amendment but to vote
for striking out the whole appropriation. twas
said that 100000 would finish the building.
To judge from the past, he could not suppose
that sum would be found sufficient He wished
commission to inquire how much would be ac-
tually required to complete the edifce in a plain
substantial style, and then appropriate that
definite sum at once.
He was followed BY Mr.. Reynolds on the
same side, by Mr.. Winthrop in reply, by Messrs
Fillmore, White, of Indiana, Cave Johnson,
Gushing, Mason, Of Ohio, Habersham, and Hal
stead. The debate principally turned on tile
question, on whom the responsibility should rest
OF having building so costly erected. The last
named gentleman wished to show that the pre-
sent Congress deserved better character for
industry than most of its predecessors. He was
called to order in the outset of his speech and
resumed his seat with the declaration that he
would print the remarks he intended to deliver
He was followed by Mr. Gordon and Mr.. Ar
mold.
The question being taken on Mr.. Wnthrop's
amendment, it was rejected.
For the'proviso in the BILL Mr.. Smith, of Viz
ginia, offered substitute. The original proviso
directs that the money appropriated shall be ex-
pended in preparing the building for the recep-
ton of the collector, &C., but not on any mere
ornamental appendages. Mr.. Smiths substi-
tute directs that nothing more shall be done
than finishing the roof, &C., so as to protect the
building from the weather.
The reason he gave for his proviso was that
there is already in Boston comfortable custom
house building a-suflicient for the public bust
ness, and that there is not money in the Trea-
suoy to allow large outlay for finishing build
ing begun on so costly plan. His substitute
was rejected
Mr.. Winthrop moved to strike out the 9igi-
ginal provso-ths motion was also rejected.
Mr.. Black moved to insert 100000 TO erect
custom-house in Georgia. and accompanied
his motion with explanatory remarks
| Mr.. Adams said, if the committee seemed
inclined to accede TO the last proposition he
sertion of similar sum for building a
custom-house in Plymouth, Massachusetts,
But he would urge his proposition on the
ground of equal justice TO the two cities.
He thought the time wrong one for establish
ing new objects of expenditure Neither pro-
position was adopted.
Mr.. Cave Johnson moved to strike out the
clause appropriating $4,000 for the Boston
custom house. The motion was negatived
AT half-past three n motion was made that
the committee rise, but it was unsuccessful.
When the portion of the bill appropriating
for the light house establishment came up, Mr..
Profit moved to strike out the first clause, to en-
able him to deliver some remarks on the neces
sty Of reform in the whole system, and opened
the debate with minute examination Of facts,
comparing the efficiency and expense Of the
French and American systems.
Before he concluded, the committee rose and
the House adjourned
The Senate on Saturday rejected, by vote
oil l9 to 25, the amendment Of Mr.. Walker,
proposing to pledge the proceeds of the sales Of
the public lands for the payment of the interest