The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-19

that none might eontradic, them, or doubt their ae-
curacy. 49,
Mr.. JARNAGIN, in reply, observed that he did
for; but his objection was that the whole OF II might
be found in the several annual reports made TO Con-
gness III f,ere was any particular item Of informa-
lion called for in the resolstion. which is not given
in those documents, there might be good reason 10
call for that bur he did not think that the President
should be called upon 10 make computation OF facts
already presented.
Mr.. CASS submitted a few remarks in opposi-
lion to the resolution, which, If adopted, would take
up greal deal Of the time Of the departments,
would entail enormous expense, and entire
ly unnecessary. The report would make book
probably Of 1000 pages.
Mr. EVANS remarked that the information
sought quite accessible 10 the Senate and could
readily be obtained; and he also observed, that a
great deal of il, when obtained, would be perfectly
useless Il might be all very seryiceable TO the his
toTian, but was Of no practical value whatever 10
the Senate. As 10 the comparative amount OF ex-
penditure at different periods, all the information NO
eessary could be derived from the Official record Of
expenditures II was known 10 all that the expen-
dture for the army, during the last ten years, had
been very large, in consequence Of the Florida
war. The expenditure from 1876 TO 1906, would be
very uBjusty compared with that OF a later period
Il appeared TO him that the proper course would
be direct the Secretary Of War to select from the
public documents the information desired by the
senator from Florida rather than TO incur the ex-
pense Of the mode proposed by him, which would
require large amount Of labor the part ofal the
clerks Of the various departments, that would
greatly interfere with the regular and efficient dis
charge Of the public business. Indeed already these
frequent calls on the departments for information
seriously interfere with the labor Of the public Off
GERS, and they Justly complained Of The embarrass
IL. a.fa
by the heads ofdepartments and printed and these
reports contained full details Of the public business
committed TO their care.
MIR. BENTON was opposed TO the resolution on
the ground Of the large expenditure Of time and
money which il would necessarily occasion-an ex-
penditure, in his Judgment, almost altogether I'M
profitable. He begged to refer the senator to a
work now extant comprising index Of all the
acts Of appropriation passed by Congress since the
formation Of the government.
Mr. YULEE was still Of the opinion that sena-
tors had not examined the subject with sufficient
care. He did not believe that the adoption Of the
resolution and carrying out its objects would involve
the expenditure Of half as much time or money
was incurred by the first resolution Of inquiry
which had been offered, and passed during the
present session He believed that the expense had
been much exaggerated. His object was to obtain in
collected FORM and in authenticated FORM that in
formation which he must be permitted TO say in
all difference 10 some otncr senators, was, In MS
opinion, Of very great importance.
Mr.. ALLEN moved that the further considena-
lion of the resolution be postponed, and that the
Senate proceed TO the consideration of the special
order, but gave way to a motion that when the SEN
ate ad journed il should be to Monday next which
motion agreed TO,
Mr.. A. then said that he desired TO give notice
that Monday next, after the expiration Of the
hour set apart for the transaction Of the morning
business, he would move that the Senate go into
executive session. There was, he would state,
a matter connected with the executive business Of
the Senate which would require the action Of the
Senate within four or FIVE days-a matter Of i'm
portance, which he could not then mention He
merely gave this notice so that the Senate might not
be taken by surprise by such motion made at that
time.
Mr.. ASHLEY observed that, after the special
order had been passed over to-day, he asked for
an executive session for a short time, with a view
Of correcting a mistake made at the last executive
session.
Mr. ALLEN remarked that the call Of which he
had given notice. had reference to special business.
SPECIAL oRDER-"THE NOTICE"
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the special order, the notice, &c.
Mr.. NILES addressed the Senate in a speech Of
which full report will be given hereafter Mr..
N. expressed himself in favor Of the notice. given in
dignifed and suitable form.
On motion of Mr. CALHOUN, the Senate then
proceeded to the consideration Of executive bus-
ness, and, after short time 30 occupied the doors
were reopened, and the Senate
Adjourned