The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, February 10, lS45.

On motion of Mr.. BOwLlN, a resolution was
adopted, requesting the Secretary Of War TO CON-
manicate to the House the result Of Lieutenant Free
mont's expedition to the Rocky Mountains but if the
report be not ready, whether the same can be pre-
pared and laid before the House at the present ses
sion. F.a. ~
Mr.. PRATT presented a memorial from forty
seven authors and editors residing in New York, pray
ing that magazines and periodicals may be placed on
an equal footing with newspapers with respect to
mail privileges; which referred TO the Commit
lee on the Post Office and Post Roads, ....T
The House adopted the resolution of Mr.. MCKAY,
submitted yesterday, that all debate the bill maxi
ing appropriation for the civil and diplomatic expen-
Of the Government for the year ending on the Both
of June lS45 shall cease on Thursday, at o'clock
and that the committee shall then proceed to vote on
the amendments pending or which may be offered
FURNITURE FOR THE PRESIDENTS HOUSE.
Mr.. SLlDELL arose for the purpose of moving a
reconsideration Of the vote by which the bill propos
ing an appropriation for refurnisbing the Presiden
tial mansion was rejected We had, by usage, if not
by law imposed upon the President the obligation
Of residing in the House, and therefore he should be
supplied with the means of doing so in manner
compatible with the dignity Of his station, and the de-
cencies of life. He Mr.. Slidell would not enter into
disgusting inventory of dapidated furniture, bro
ken chairs, and damaged and torn curtains, but he
took for granted, the authority of the gentle-
man from Tennessee, (Mr. Jones one of the CON-
mitee who examined the premises, that the furnl
ture Of the Presidents House not in suitable
condition The question was what sum was neces.
sy for the purpose, and whether it should be appIo-
priated When the vote was taken yesterday, many
we're absent, but now that the House toerably
fall, he trusted that his motion would prevail. For
himself be was not afraid OF responsibility in this
particular, and hoped Il at large majority would be
found TO occupy the same ground. .
Mr. HAMMETT gave his reasons for opposing
the bill, yesterday; one Of which was that the
amount designated was too large and he alluded 10
the unauthorized order OF the Chairman of the Com
mittee on Public Buildings for curtains etc He
not inclined to deny what was absolutely neces-
sary, but was adverse to extravaganza.
MI PRATT was heard more audibiy than the
gentleman from Mississippi He only desired TO
say TO him. (eaving IL for others to answer to their
country that he thought very little business to
talk and talk about the Presidents furniture for
home consumption. IL was small business indeed
We have had our elections, sut several gentlemen
around him, according to what they had just said
had not had heis and this accounted for their talk
ing about a little furniture, little furniture =
Laughter They voted yesterday, against the bill
appropriatlng S28 900 for furniture for the Presi
dents Hou-e but in an hour afterwards, in Commit
lee of the Whole they voted for themselves $4,000
in the shape OF books But they could not afford e
vote a smaller sum for the Presidents Mansion
they could not afford tit was too extrava
gaht-the simplicity Of our Republican foru
oil Government forbade IT! One word u
the gentleman from Mississippi. He (Mr. Pratt
was perfectly willing 10 be called to account-he ex
pected as representative, to be responsible for al
he did, and he came here TO act and vote, and Il
avoid as far as possible, the love of talking, which
characterized others whom he might designate-
lLaughter.l II was true he had ordered curtains Il
he placed at windows in the Presidents house--h'
had sald put them there, and he would give the up
hosterer the money. This was on his own indivdu
al responsbiity and not the Chairman Of the Com
mlItee on the Public Buildings and Grounds. An
he further promised that IL Congress should make n
provision Cor the expense, he would himself pay tn
onsy. Now, could the gentleman from Mississippi