The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-30
A WORKING MAN IN CONGRESS.

A WORKING MAN IN CONGRESS.
The TWO following resolutions were oheredby
the Hon. Zadock Pratt in the House of Repre-
senisiives; they are of great importance 10 the
and consequently TO the people al
large. The first, if carried into execution, will
save the people from the responsibility OF Gov
eminent officers, from which they have hereto
fore suffered greatly, and the latter will save the
property of the Government, scattered 10 diff
ferenl portions of The Uuon, from destruction
and waste. We are glad that MIR. Pratt has
thus called the attention of the Representative
of the people, TO subjects of so much practical
importance:
Mr.. Pratt moved the following joint resolu
ton
Resolved, &C., That in the month of January il
each and every year the several courts and officers
whose duty il has been or shall be made by law tt
decide upon the sufciency Of the suretes upon any
bond which any officer Of the United States has beer
or shall be required to give for the faithful perform
snce of the duties of his Office, shall consider and de
terminc as 10 the suciency Of the surees upon the
bond which such officer of the United States shall
have given and when the court officer mo op
proved such bond shall deem II necessary or expedi
cnt 10 require additional surety, the same shall be
given 10 the satisfaction of said court officer, with
in one month after il shall be required; and wher
sny surety upon any such original or additional bone
shall conceive himself in danger OF suffering from
his tyship he may apply to the court or office
who approved such bond, who shall call upon the
officer who executed il give counter security to bt
approved by the court officer who approved sucf
original or additional bond and if the party wht
shall be called upon to give further security IN eithe
of the modes aforesaid, shall not within one montf
after the same shall have been required of him, give
such additional counter security the fact shall be
reported to the President Of the United States ant
be deemed by him, unless reasonable excuse shall b'
assigned for tho failure to comply with such demands
just cause for the removal of such officer.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Joint resolution introduced into the House o
Representatives by Mr.. Pratt on the 23d inst.
to secure more perfect accountability Of thu
public property.
Resolved, SC. That the Secretary of State, Thu
Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War
the Secretary Of the Navy, the Postmaster General
and the Commissioner of Public Buildings be direct
cd to lay before the next Congress, at the commence
ment of its first first regular session. reports Of al
public property, exhibiting the quantity, condition
and cost thereof hand the thiteth day Of JUNE
previous to said reports, embracing full descriptive
accounts Of all real estate, the location, time wher
obtained, purchased, reserved, the cost, objects
and uses OF all lands and Improvements Of all public
buildings for civil and military purposes, including
custom houses lighthouses, Notifications, arsenas
armories, navy yards, docks, and depots; of al
movable property, including ships, military stores
ordnance, arms. munitions, and material for maDufac
lures. And the said officers shall thereafter lay be
fore each successive Congress, at the commencement
Of its first regular session, reports showing the con
dition Of the public property embraced in the pre-
cediDg reports together with statements OF all public
property acquired disposed Of during the two year
ending with the fiscal year, showing the investment
and credits in such property account. And that tn
Clerk of the House of Representatives cause a cata
logue of the Library of the House of Representative
to be made by the Librarian and printed for the W.
And that the Commissioner Of the Public Building
day of March next and every four years thereafter
10 take an inventory of the furniture Of the President
house, at such time may be convenient to the Pre-
dent for the time being, and TO deliver copy there
Of to the President elect, and TO file copy of th
same in the Library of Congress. And that the Sc
cretary and Sergeant alarms of the Senate an,
Clerk and Doorkeeper Of the House of Representa-
tives shall be and they hereby required be
fore the first day Of July next, and every two year
thereafter tn causeto be mbde full and correct nveno
ries Of all pnbc property III the respective Offices o
belonging to either House and file copies Of the sam
in the Library of Congress. x
This resolution read three times successivel
the day of its introduction passed. and sent TO tn
Senate for concurrence.