The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-10
CONGRESS-.


:. ,be House, on Wednesday, Mr.. Halstea'
sa,sa a report from the majority of the com
,,tse on elections, which hel moved should b'
printed ~,
.oo, INTO Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Briggs
! me Chair, and took up the Civil Appropra
nm bill. The pending question was the amend
Mont Of Mr.. Wise TO strike out $4,000 from
,bq item of contingencies, together with the
o,oyiso, and insert $24, 800
Mr. Mason, of Ohio who was entitled to the
a,,r. not being in his place. Mr. Mckeon deli
,,,ed his views in favor of the proviso specially
and the contract system generally.
Mr. Mason, of Ohio, again expressed his OPT
n5on in favor OF Mr.. Wise's amendment, be-
,,use he wished the legislation on public patron
ace 10 be consderate and well matured he
lsy,ated into remarks, on the refusal OF the
Democratic party, when in power, to carry out
.their promises Of reform, and congratulated the
Wing party ON the proof it had given OF It's de
termination to fulfil its professions. @
He was followed by Mr.. Smith, Of Virginia,
ii reply, who was in favor of the reform con-
empated, but was opposed to attempting It in
tle partial manner proposed, because unjust to
private interests
Messrs. Caruthers, Underwood, and Gllmer
were opposed to appropriations for indefinite
contingencies, and advocated SPECIFIC estimates
for this species of expenditure The first de-
slred, Gin order to hasten the passage of the bill
to throw out all appropriations for conlin
rencies and prepare separate bill tor them
He proposed TO make motion to strike out all
me contingent items as they were reached in
ne course Of the consideration of the bill.
Mr.. Gilmer proceeded with an elaborate illus
ration of the abuses to which the contngen
cias are obnoxious, and showed what items OF
eynenditure should be prohibited
Mr.. Fillmore opposed the propositionto strike
out the contingent appropriations, as that course
would leave the Executive Departments with
out the means of defraying certain indspensa-
Me expenses He expressed his surprise at the
suggestion coming from one who was supposed
10 express the views of the Administration.
Mr.. Gilmer replied, in explanation, that he
expressed his own views, and endeavored TO re-
present the interests Of his constituents and TO
support the Constitution. He said now, as he
had said before, that he spoke wholly without
any authority from the Executive.
Mr.. Fillmore continued, and charged upon
the friends of the Administration the waste OF
the time that had been squandered in the dis
cus,io of amendments.
Mr. Wise rose TO show that the loss OF time
was not fairly lmputable TO him or the friends Of
the President He had offered but one amend
ment; several had been offered by others, but
ony one by him-not his, but the amendments
Of others, had principally protracted the discus
sion. He did not accord in opinion with his
colleague, Mr., Underwood or Mr. Caruthers; and
went on to show the preposterousness Of endea-
yoring to make specific estimates for contingent
ces
Mr.. Gentry then obtained the floor, but gave
way TO an explanation from Mr.. Fillmore On
the motion of Mr. Cooper, of Georgia. the
committee rose, and shortly after the House ad-
Journed.
In the Senate, yesterday, the bill for the re-
lief OF the Banks of the District OF Columbia
was read third time and passed-yeas Fl,
nays IS.