The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-05

and see what was in the public Offices concerning his
constituents He denied that the public Offices
could be made repositories Of secrets-secrets which
were blacken the characters of citizens and after
wards to furnish matter for thescandalous chroncier
This pretenson 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 as State prisoners de-
sgnated 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 no secret of it.
Mr. EVANS said that as there was now pause,
he hoped that the Senator would consent to break off
Mr. BENTON. Very good we ii take II IN
broken Doses
.a THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Senate then proceeded the consideration othe
bill making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic
expenses of Government for the year 1912.
The question pending was on the motion OF Mr..
Benton TO strike out the appropriation for books
MIR. BENTON spoke in support Of the amend
ment 1ll ot
Mr. EVANS said that it not his intention
to discuss the several amendments more than ne
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 tomorrow evening, it would 60 over to
next week, as 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
yet the debt was due; and it was incumbent upon
them to see that the obligation be met
Mr.. ALLEN condemned the practice of dlstrlbut
ing books, it left it optional with those who re-
ceived them to retain 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 tins
bill of the contingent fund and that If the Sc
nate intended to pay for them Mt all this was the pro-
per time and the proper mode
Mr.. YOUNG said this appropriation was for
fifty-one or two thousand dollars for one hum
bred and seventeen sets Of books, four hun
bred and fifty dollars worth to each member who
to receive them. As the now stood, they
would have to pay for them but he hoped that in flu
ture, no such appropriations would be made.
Mr.. WOODBURY. in favor Of striking out
the appropriation for books and introducing it into
bill appropratng for objects not provided for by ex-
press law.
Mr.. ARCHER said that however gentlemen might
differ there objection to paying for the books;
but the mode of doing 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 an amendment APP
proprating specific sum.
Mr. EVANS conceived that the amendment would
only be matter of form, and he of opinion that
the nearer they adhered to the bill 1t came from
the House, the less delay would there be in its pas
sage through that branch of Congress.
Mr.. KING was in favor of the suggestion OF 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 it was decided in
the negative-yeas 49, nays 81
Mr.. ARCHER then moved to amend the clause,
by adding $50 343 40 of this amount being for books
ordered by the House of Representatives at the
cond session of the 26h Congress, to be distributed
among members OF Congress- and the amendment
was agreed to-
MIR. WOODBURY. moved further to amend the
clause, by adding Provided, That no part OF this
or any other appropriation be paid for the purchase
hereafter for books to be distributed among members
of Congress without the previous sanction of ex
press law for that purpose shall any books so
purchased heretofore be paid for except from spe-
c6c appropriation, enumeratng the works and their
costs"
The amendment was rejected-yeas II, nays 49,
Mr.. WOODBURY. moved to amend the clause APP
propriatng $4,000 for defraying the contingent
penses of foreign intercourse, by adding proviso
that 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
without the authority of Congress, nor for COM
pensaton to agents appointed to receive or transmit
dispatches.
The question was then taken, agreeing to the
amendment, and resued-yeas Is, nays IL. But no
quorum having voted and it being half past five
o'clock,
The Senate adjourned.