The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-10
And the leave having been given,

Thursday evening. Ii would be recollected that
a few days ago, resolution was introduced by the
gentleman from Illinois, [Mr. RoBERr SmirH, in
relation TO certain maps OF the territory Of Oregon,
and that he Mr.. H. took the liberty al that time
to call the attention Of the House To the delay which
would probably be occasoned by the engraving, II,
as was proposed, the maps should be attached 10
the Presidents message. He had also presented an
amendment 10 the resolution, calling upon the
clerk TO inform the House why there was delay in
the printing of the message and accompanying doe.
uments, and also the report OF the Secretary OF
the Treasury. lie had stated, as he felt bound
TO do, having presented the amendment, that
there Rad been, as he Understood the matter,
an unusual delay in the delivery of these doeu'
ments He had imputed no bad motives to the
public printers. He thought there had been delay,
and he had asked for information as to the cause OF
that delay. He had stated also, that he believed
that heretofore these documents had been delivered
at an earlier period; and that was another reason
why he wished an inquiry into the cause. lie had
also stated, that fact had come 10 his knowledge,
| land which had not been denied in the article 10
which he referred } that the public printers, for some
three or four weeks probably after the period OF
their election had not gyen,the necessary bonds for
the discharge Of their duty. Bnt he had imputed
| noihing-no bad motives.
| Mr. MCCONNELL rose to order,
Mr. HUDSON (not being arrested by the Speak
cry proceeded. He had simply stated these facts as
| he believed them TO exist.
| Mr. MCCONNELL said he called the gentleman
| 10 order.
The SPEAKER said, the gentleman would state
| his point Of order.
| Mr. MCCONNELL was understood to say
(though the reporter, catching only one word in
| three, owing 10 the position OF Mr. Nee, rather
| conieetures than knows that the gentleman from
Msssac husetts Mr.. HuDsosl could not tell whether
| the public PRIMERS had, or had not, given bonds.
He (Mr. MeC.) asserted that they had given the
| bonds.
The SPEAKER said, the chair thought that
| the gentleman from Massachusetts was proceeding
| in order.
Alter a remark by Mr.. MCCONNELL,
| Mr.. HUDSON continued. | stated what be-
| leyed to be fact. received my information from
| one OF the officers Of the House and the public
printers themselves have not denied that, at the time
! spoke Of, they had not executed their bonds.
| For making these remarks which thought had
| right 10 make, and which | felt il my duty Ia
| make in order to support the amendment which
had presented and not for the purpose Of attacking
| the public printers, or casting imputation upon
them--for making these remarks the article to which
| allude, and which will ask may be read by the
| clerk, has been published.
4 1.-THE article from the Union" Of the day referred
to, under the signature Of Major Hess, was here
/ read by the clerk.
| Mr.. II. proceeded. 1t will be seen by this article
that am charged with exercising narrow, uncan
did, illberal spirit habitualy and that it is also
i charged that, In this case IN many others, my
statements are not founded in truth. The Other
rhetorical hourishes of the article will let pass
i With regard to the eandor have manifested here
and elsewhere, have nothing TO say. Those who
have acted with me are competent to Judge. But ir
relation to the "falsehood" in this case, have
word to say. stated in substance and, of course
4 in round numbers, that the message and accom-
panying documents had generally been delivered
within fortnight OF the commencement Of the SEES
sion meaning of course, within fortnight from
the time Of their delivery to the printer. find, or
inquiry into this subject, (alhough we have exac
means, far can ascertain, Of determining tn,
precise day on which these documents have usu
ally been sent up here reaching back beyond las
year, but it seems that the Presidents messag,
last year was delivered to the printer on the Sd o
, December and that the first copies returned
} on the 10th. BY conversng with those who hav,
heretofore done the public printing, am informed
that this is about the usual tme-that is, from Il
III, or Is days from the time at which the document
are delivered to the public printer | said il
e two weeks. l had also minated that smila
delay had taken place regarded other documents
| canno. ascertain the dates at which other docu
: ments were usually Delivered but by inquiring o
9 those who engaged in the folding-room, lear
that they generally come in as carly az tn
holydays; and that the folders usually engages
a during the holydays in folding them. This yea
: the holydays came, so far all practical purpose
are concerned, several days later than usual; be
cause the session commenced the first day of tn
d month, whereas in some years it does not com
mence until the 9th or 7th--the first Monday no
. happening until then; that the holydays were
: comparatively speaking, one, two, or three days,
= the least later than usual
| Some further interruptions took place pon
0 of order, raised by Mr.. MCCONNELL; afte
: which ...
Mr. H. proceeded. The report Of the Secretar,
of the Treasury at the last session delivered
n the printer on the 18th, and was returned on tn
18th; and now submit to the House whether tn
do ,paAh
these documents have usually been delivered within
fortnight. And this is one of the charges of false
I hood that is brought against me.
g | am not disposed to detan the House on thi
subject and declare, Mr.. Speaker, to you and Il
| the House. that personally have no feeling at al
of this character, whether they appear in this o.
E any other paper. l simply rose to call the aen
ton Of the House to the subject and the light il
/, which | view it ia this: officer of this Hous
(for so, suppose, | may call the public print
. ers, for | perceive that they take the lib
ery of walking within the bar and select som'
! of the most conspicuous seats In the House
and are usually, l presume, regarded off
GERS --an officer of this House is supposed by nu
merous members to be delinquent in the discharge
of his duty; member rises in his place, and sub
mts a resolution of inquiry to ascertain why there
has been delay in furnishing the printed documents
or whether there has been any. The question
wish 10 submit is this: Will the House, when ont
or It's 0fflcers is called 10 an accountlf an inquiry
is Instituted in relation to the discharge Of his off
cia duty-tolerate and justify that officer in attempt
ing to browbeat the member and stihe the inquiry
is but few days since that some remarks mad,
in relation the doorkeeper the subject of fold
ing, and that some imputaton was made on him
Suppose he had come out in a newspaper, and de-
T nounced the member who had the daring or impu
dence to call him to account; or suppose that member
complains of one of the little messengers that he il
dilatory, or negligent will the House tolerate thai
the person-an officer Of this House--when thus
civily called TO account, shall attack the member
who does it, thus virtually attacking the House it
self ............. ..I.
\ II such things are to be tolerated, we shall in o
short time come TO this that the officers of this
House--the pensioners Of the government--shal
dictate TO the House, and to its MEMBERS the course
they must pursue, and the language they must utter
and that IL any member shall have the independence
to express his convictions, or offer resolu.
ton Of inquiry as to the manner in which certain
duties have been discharged, he must expect to be