The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-04

twenty-five years-and he would stand on his rights,
and see what was in the public Offices concerning his
constituents He denied that the public oihces
could be made repositories of secrets-secrets which
to blacken the characters Of citizens and after
wards TO furnish matter for the scandaous chroncler
This pretension was copied from the Bank OF the
United States, where black characters were filed
against leading Democrats, designated by numbers
with keys to their Names State prisoners were de-
signated in Europe. At future time he would
Justify the vote which he gave in secret session
against the nomination of the Postmaster General,
and he would make secret of it.
Mr. EVANS said that as there was now pause
he hoped that the Senator would consent TO break OH
MIR. BENTON. Very good; we II take i IN
broken Doses
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration ofths
bill making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic
expenses of Government for the year lS42.
The question pending was on the motion OF Mr..
Benton to strike out the appropriation for books.
Mr.. BENTON spoke in support Of the amend
ment
Mr. EVANS said that it was not his intention
to discuss the several amendments more than he
could avoid, and he expressed the hope that
the Senate would not delay the passage of this
bill because, should it not be passed through both
Houses by 10. morrow evening il would 90 over 10
next week, he had learned that the House would
meet on Thursday, and then adjourn that the
summer arrangements might be made The fact was,
the House did order the books and the Clerk accord
ingy procured them. They had not been paid for, but
yet the debt was due; and il incumbent upon
them to see that the obligation he met
Mr.. ALLEN condemned the practice of distribut-
ing books, as left II optional with those who re-
ceived them to retain or convert them into money,
| Mr.. HUNTINGTON observed that the books had
| been purchased and the question whether they
should be paid for with money appropriated by this
bill out of the contingent fund and that If the Sc
intended 10 pay for them at all this was the pro-
per time and the proper mode.
Mr.. YOUNG said this appropriation was for
| fitly-one or two thousand dollars for one hun
| bred and seventeen sets of books, four hun
bred and fifty dollars worth to each member who
was to receive them. As the now stood, they
would have to pay for Them but he hoped that IN iu-
| ture, no such appropriations would be made.
Mr.. WOODBURY. was in favor Of striking out
the appropriation for books, and introducing II into
bill approprating for objects not provided for by e1
| press law
| Mr. ARCHER said that, however gentlemen might
differ there objection to paying for the books
but the mode of doing so was the topic Of dispute.
| He thought that they might facilitate the passage OF
the bill by agreeing To the amendment Of the Senator
from Missouri, and then adopting amendment APP
| propriating specific sum.
Mr.. EVANS conceived that the amendment would
| only be matter OF form and he of opinion that
the they adhered to the bill as came from
| the House. the less delay would there be in its pas
| sage through that branch Of Congress.
Mr. hlNG was In favor OF the suggestion oil the
| Senator from Virginia,
| After some further remarks from Messrs. EVANS,
| WRIGHT, YOUNG, HUNTINGTON, WOOD
| BURY, and ARCHER, the question taken on
the amendment of Mr.. Benton, and il was decided in
| the negative-yeas Is, nays 81
| Mr.. ARCHER then moved to amend the clause
by adding "S2,343 40 of this amount being for books
ordered by the House of Representatives at the Sc
cond session of the 26th Congress- to be distributed
among members OF Congress y and the amendment
| was agreed to.
Mr.. WOODBURY. moved further to amend the
clause, by adding " Provided That no part of this
any other appropriation be paid for the purchase
hereafter for books to be distributed among members
of Congress without the previous sanction of an
press law for that purpose nor shall any books SO
purchased heretofore be paid for except from spe-
cifc appropriation enumerating the works and teir
| COSTS
| The amendment was rejected-yeas II, nays 10.
MIR. WOODBURY. moved to amend the clause APP
propriating 900 for defraying the contingent
penses Of foreign intercourse, by adding proviso
that no part Of this appropriation be applied after the
first Of July next to the payment of special agents
abroad, appointed without the consent of the Senate
or without the authority Of Congress- for COM
pensaton TO agents appointed to receive transmit
dispatches
| The question was then taken, agreeing to the
quorum having voted, and it being half past five
| o'clock,
| The Senate adjourned