The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-16


Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. TUsros.
The CLERK then read the Journal of yesterday
Afer which
MIR SlMONS offered resolution 10 amend the
rules establishing Committee on Printing, who shall
have charge OF all prin ing Of maps, &c.
Mr. STEENROD said there was sufficient mum
Der OF committees already and lac good that
would result from the appoint nent Of such com
mittee. Why not refer this subject TO the Commit
tee on Public Expendituresl That committee could
perform Tho duty aid, although there might have
been abuses under the late Clerk, this committee
would not be able TO prevent IT, should il be raised
any better than the Committee on Public Expenses.
Mr.. SlMONS advocated the necessity Of raising
such Committee to guard the public interest, and
prevent 'imposlons 1t is intended to give the com
mittee, proposed TO be raised the power TO make all
contracts and he was surprised TO hear any gentle
man object to such proposed system Of reform, SO
as TO prevent abuses.
Mr. STEENROD said he was not opposed to re-
medyDg and rectiying abuses, but he had expressly
stated that he thought the Committee on Expend-
lures could perform The duty, without adding another
Committee to those already in existence; and he
proposed an amendment referring the subject to the
Committee of Accounts
Mr. SlMONS gave long account of abuses in
the way OF printing maps; sc which were of no use
TO The country, and which only benefited those who
performed the work This was what he wished TO
remedy, as well as to prevent giving cx.rayagant
prices.
MIR. PATTERSON advocated the adoption Of the
resolution upon ground OF economy, and demanded
the previous question, but Withdrew il TO allow
MIR. ADAMS TO ask the Chairman Of the Commit
tee, who were The persons who had made the con-
tracts with those persons who had made such extra
VACANT charges for those maps
Mr.. SlMONS said the Committee had not referred
10 the names, because they did not wish to be per-
sonai but 1t the gentleman would offer resolution
10 that effect the Committee would inquire, and 70
port them. However, he would inform him, thai,
they all occurred within the last four years.
MIR. ADAMS sa this not the first time that
reports had been made making charges without nam
ing the ndlv duals. This was atstraction--not a
VIrgihi' abstIaction-but an abstraction Of dife
re nt nature, AID he moved to recommt the report
with instructions that the committee report the
OF the persons.
Mr. SlMONS said in explanation, he wbuld be
happy TO report the names; but the committee did
not feel authorized TO give them. However, if the
gentleman from Massachusetts was anxious for the
names, he committee would give them.
Mr. HALE was in favor of the resolution, but he
offered an amendment authorizing the committee to
inquire into all abuses, and report the facts
Mr.. TYLER SAID the committee was disposed TO
report the names and the facts, but it out of TIE
power of the committee for the want of time and
Tor the want OF evidence at the time without further
inquiry, to 1ortiy the facts and that the committee
was not disposed to make an ex parte statement
without ing those interested an opportunity to de-
fend themselves.
Mr.. PAYNE made few remarks, when
The SPEAKER announced that the morning hour
had expired.
Mr. J. w. DAVIS moved TO suspend the rules
for one hour to call for reports which would moi in
cur debate. -
MIR VANCE saidShis was day set apart for pri-
vate bills -!
/ he question then REQUIRED Oh suspension Of the
rules, and II was decided in Tie negative.
tn IL 4,
entertain his resolution in relation to the printing of
maps, sc.
Upon DIVISION no quorum voted.
Tellers were called Tor, and ordered
Messrs. CLNoMAS and GRIsNELL were appointed
telers who reported 81 in the affirmative and 81 in
the negative.
So the rules we're suspended.
MIR. HALE rose AID demanded the previous ques-
ton; but withdrew il.
Mr. PAYNE said in examining this subject, the
committee had discovered nothing criminal but there
appeared great looseuess in the contracts; no
fixed principle in making them; and this was
what tic Committee wanted TO remedy He
then gave detailed statement of the enormous pro-
hts made on the maps, which he said entirely
too high for the lahor perlormed and that a com
mittee should be raised TO make all contracts 10
vent such abuses.
! Mr., COBB demanded the previ US question; and
! Upon division there was second
! Mr.. KENNEDY of Maryland asked the Speaker
.
| The SPEAKER said it would bring the House first
! 10 vote on the amendment of Mr. Steenrod
! The question then REQUIRED on the main question
and 1t was decided In the negative.
The question then REQUIRED on the adoption of The
resolution, and II was agreed TO.
! Mr.. KING moved to reconsider the vote by which
the bill for the relief of Daniel Dean was passed
The question was Dictated by Messrs DILLET.
THOMPSON, VANCE SAMPLE, HAMlIN'
KING and GIDDlNGS.
Nj THOMPSON
ordered.
Messrs. CRINNELL and ATKINSON were sp-
pointed tellers, who reported GO in the affirmative
and AZ IN the negatiye--no quorum voting.
The STEAMER requested gentlemen TO vote on
one side or the other
The question was again stated. and the teller.
reported 90 in the affirmative and 81 in the negative
SO the vote " as reconsidered.
The question then REQUIRED on the passage of the
bill; when
Mr. COBB said gentlemen had voted misunder
stand'ngly and gave history Of the case and SAID
It would be setting bad procede Mt to reject it,
Nj THOMPSON opposed the passage of the
bli upon The ground that the clamb mt had let IL rest
tor twenty years, without making applicant for tire
clam and he was not disposed to cast censure on
Col Crowell, because It was presuma bic that nom
Der of Congress was honorable man
Mr.. COBB said that the presumption was rather
sweeping but he did not impeach Col Crowel
MI MING made a few remarks in opposition to
tie bill, when
Mir VANCE called for the yeas and NAYS, which
were srderdd.
The CLERK called the roll, and the following i. The
result-yeas 81, noys n.
SO The Tin wa, II jecled
Mr. HALE offered reso uton authorizing IN,
committee to report the names IN relation 10 the mr. M,
ing # maps.
II wa objected TO
Mr.. HALE moved a suspension Of the rules. and
It was decided in c negative anu
Mr.. ADAMS olFered resolution calling uno, a.,
President Of the United States for information ~ w.
alton to the Rhole Island controversy.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON objected.
Mr.. ADAMS moved suspension Of the rule. n
entertain It, and demanded the yeas and NAYS. which
were ordered ''' WIN"
The reading Of the resolution was called for and