The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-10
CONGRESS.


CONGRESS.
In the House, on Wednesday, MI. Halstead
offered report from the majority Of the COM
mittee on elections, which bel moved should be
printed.
On the motion of Mr. Fillmore, the House
went into Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Briggs
in the Chair, and took up the Civil Appropria
ton BILL The pending question was the amend :
ment of Mr.. Wise to strike out $4,000 from
the item Of contingencies, together with the
proviso, and insert $24,50O
Mr. Mason, Of Ohio, who was entitled to the
floor, not being in his place. Mr.. Mckeon dell
vered his views in favor of the prov'so specially
and the contract system generally.
Mr. Mason, Of Ohio, again expressed his OPT
MON in favor OF Mr.. Wise's amendment, be-
cause he wished the legislation on public patron
age to be considerate and well matured. He
deviated 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 its de-
termination to fulfil its professions.
He was followed by Mr.. Smith, of Virginia,
in reply, who was in favor of the reform con-
templated, but was opposed to attempting It IN
the partial manner proposed, because unjust to
private interests.
Messrs. Caruthers, Underwood, and Gilmer,
were opposed to appropriations for indefinite
contingencies, and advocated specific estimates
for this species of expenditure The first de-
sired,!in order to hasten the passage of the bill
to throw out all appropriations for contin-
gencies and prepare separate bill for them
He proposed to make motion to strike out all
the contingent items as they were reached in
the course Of the consideration of the bill.
Mr.. Gilmer proceeded with an elaborate illus
tration of the abuses to which the contingen-
cies are obnoxious, and showed what items OF
expenditure 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 indispensa-
BILE expenses. He expressed his surprise at the
suggestion coming from one who was supposed
to 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 te
support the Constitution. He said now, as he
had said before, that he spoke wholly withou
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
cussion Of amendments
Mr.. Wise rose to show that the loss OF time
was not fairly lmputable 10 him or the friends Of
the President He had offered but one amend
mcnt; several had been offered by others, bu
only 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; ane
went on to show the preposterousness OF endea
voring to make specific estimates for contingent
cies.
Mr.. Gentry then obtained the floor, but gave
way to an explanation from Mr.. Fillmore. Or
the motion of Mr.. Cooper, of Georgia, the
committee rose, and shortly after the House adj
journed.
In the Senate, yesterday, the bill for the re-
lief OF the Banks of the District OF Columbls
was read third time and passed-yeas FL
nays IS.