The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-08-08
CONGRESS-.


In the Senate Saturday. the bill for the protec-
ton of the public and private property in the city of
Washington, taken up for consideration.
Mr. BAYARD explained that this bill was from
the House of Representatives, and was designed 10
supersede the watchmen employed at the different
Departments and to complete the guard to pro-
mote sundry objects Since the passage of this bill
by the other branch, the House had passed another,
making appropriations for contingencies not provided
for in the general appropriation bill, in which is de-
sgnated certain number Of watchmen for the pub
lie buildings, and the salaries which they shall
ceve. This wo"' be in conflict with the bill now
before them, which took from the heads of the De-
partment the immediate control of their respective
buildings He had received letters from these gen
temen, complaining of and protesting against the bill
depriving them of superintendent the build
ings and indeed the measure, thus far, not a
reasonable Take case, for example: In the
Department of State where all laws and records
deposited, the officers, being responsible, should have
control over the persons who watch the archives.
He therefore, proposed an alteration of the bill, by
striking out the first two sections and substituting, in
lieu thereof that, in addition to the guard
or watch for the protection of the public bull
dings, there shall be established aux-
Iary guard, to protect the public and priv ate
property against the trch OF the lncendlary
The guard to consist of Captain to be APP
pointed by the President of the United States,
at an annual salary of 81 900 fifteen other persons
five of them to receive $685. and the remaining ten
$50 per month the auxiliary guard shall be subject
to such rules and regulations as may be by
board consisting of the Mayor of Washington, the
Attorney of the United States for the District of Co
lumbia and the Attorney of the Corporation of
Washington with the appreciation OF the President OF
the United States. The bill makes appropriation
of 81, 900 for insignia of office and for other pur-
poses.
The amendments were agreed to and the bill, thus
modified was read on the suggestion Of
Mr. CRITTENDEN, who said that, the Legs-
ature for the District of Columbia, it might be pro-
per to organize a suitable system of police but it
seemed to him that, by subecting this matter to the
control of the President of the United States it might
be metamorphosed into political guard for the Exc
cutive and the Governors at the City of Washington
He thought that would not be entirely safe to organ
ze such corps. 1t little sort of standing guard
The Consular guard consisted originally of but thirty
men, and there were just thirty who originally com
posed the Imperial guard, which subsequently
bered IS 900 strong, and proved terror to the world
He did not want to see this seed sown he did not
know what they might reap from it, He was will
ing, far he could to extend protection TO public
and private property but he desired to dispossess
the watchmcn Of everything which would give them
the appearance OF Government guard He would
suggest to his friend whether it would not be better
to strip the bill of that character, which stamped
on it, and whether would not be better TO egislate
cautiously in this particular.
Mr. LINN observed that the bill would probably
lead to some discussion Not that he had an objec-
ton the insignia, but he would be glad if the SEN
ate would consent to pass the subject informally
Another thing, it public bill, and he wished TO
lay it aside for the purpose of going with private
business.
Mr.. BAYARD had no such apprehension that
adverted to by the Senator from Kentucky
This bill the seed of very small plant, to
be nourished and watered by themselves. There
sort of comparison to be instituted
by the introduction of principle to depend on the
will OF one person and principle entirely under the
| control of Congress He considered this measure as
harmless and it would be found when they came to
consider ii in all It's bearings He had no disposition
press this matter, he did not cherish it of
vast Importance, but still he thought that they could
give additional security to the public property with
on, much expense.
The further consideration of the bill was postponed
until Monday.
appointed prepare rules and regulations for the gov
eminent of he naval service TO employ a clerk was
read third time and passed
In the course of the day large number Of private
bills were read third time and passed.
The bill iol suppressing the sale of lottery cktes in
the District Of Columbia, taken up; when
MIR. BAY ARD said that, in some Of the States the
lower classes and those of least intelligence and
property had been in ured to such extent, that, al
though the selling OF lottery tickets in former times
had been resorted 10 as OF taxation and for
rails NC money indirectly, ii had been abandoned by
every enlightened Legislature III the country. Ii
pestilentia; and the mischief in This place had been
great He had heard that many of the public officers
had been induced to mortgage their salaries in ad
for lottery tickets for the purpose of augment
tho their small derived the Govern
ment.
Mr. MILLER said that, although he was in favor
of breaking up the lottery system, still he would not
disturb existing contracts and this the reason
why he asked that the further consideration of the
bill be postponed until Monday, that he might, in the
meantime, examine its provisions.
Mr. BAYARD remarked hat the bill amply pro-
yided for all cases of existing contracts.
Mr.. BENTON observed that some years ago he
several times moved in this matter, when he met
by such arguments now brought forward
that it intcrtered with contracts. If they did not
now proceed with the bill, they would not accom-
plish its object at all.
The question taken on the motion of Mr. Mil
Ter, but it did not prevail.
The amendments proposed by the Committee on
the District of Columbia were agreed to and the
bill ordered TO be engrossed for third read
ing.
Mr.. BAYARD would not ask for the question ON
its passage at this time, the Senator from New
Jersey had expressed a wish to examine its prov-
slons.
The bill for the organization of the Navy Depart.
nent then read and
Mr.. ARCHER briefly explained its object 1t
proposed to abolish the Board of Navy Commits
sioners, and substitute therefor several bureaus.
This would produce minuter subdivision of labor,
and impose more direct responsibility and would,
besides, save to the Department from six to eight
hundred thousand dollars year.
MIR. CUTEBERT inquired whether civil officers
were TO be placed at the head of the bureaus.
Mr.. ARCHER replied that it was proposed to EN-
ploy gentlemen of nautical knowledge and who were
connected with the Navy.
Mr.. WILLIAMS said that there were, he believ-
cd sixty-eght Captains-many of them advanced in
age-and nnety-sx Commanders. Therefore he
moved to amend the bill by striking out Captains y