The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-14

had voted uniformly against every such proposition since
he had been a member herc--now some ten or twelve
] years.
Mr. NILES asked that the resolution might be again
read; and 1t was read accordingly And Speaking with
voice not well heard) he said he had always deemed
this Practice not very honorable in senator's 10 provide
themselves with sort d political library at the pub
lie expense For his part he stated that ne had de,
rived very little benefit from it. Those which he had
received had been of but little use to him. In regard
the books voted at the last session. constituting some
thirty volumes of the proceedings of Congress, he had
taken no Steps IN regard to their distribution lie mad
certainly no use for them in connexion with his duties
here's and ne bad never felt authorized to vote Tor any
resolution of this kind
Mr.. MANGUM hoped the vote would be reconsidered.
The subject had distracted the Congress for the last fifteen
years 1t had been the ground for very large contracts,
amounting 10 hundreds OF thousands OF dollars. he
hoped the vote would be reconsdeed and the subject
referred 10 the Joint Committee the Library, that
bill may be reported, that before other fresh claim
ants Of these appropriations OF books shall come IN,
system OF distribution may be adopted which Will operate
justly and equally. He would not make pvidlous dis
inctons between senator's but he did hope that such
Legislation might be had now would put an end to this
evil forever.
Mr.. FOOT happened to be one of that class of new
senators proposed to be made the recipients OF these
books the titles OF which he had not even heard. II
there any doubt the popiety of the appropria
ton, he was disposed to vote against it at once The
sooner an evil practice were terminated the better II
should receive the least appearance of sanction He
benefit OF an improper act
Mr.. CALHOUN understood that when we vote the or
temen receive them With reference to his share
of the order of the last session, he surprised few
days on receiving letter with two boxes OF books,
sent his residence by of the worthy messengers of
the Senate He did not know of the passage of the
resolution which ordered them and he did not know
that the boxes now at his would be opened by him
during the session. He should vote for the reconsider
alton.
Mr. CAMERON stated that his motive in bringing
forward the resolution so early in the session was to
avoid the imputation of management-being aware OF
the Objectionable in which this resolution had
been passed Neutrality-suspicious. by thin Senate, and
in the heel of the session.
Mr.. HALE was not well heard. II was not policy,
he thought, to do wrong because of precedent If
thing had been wrongly done, there was but true
course in regard to it, which to do right and at once
The plea OF "jus once" would be just as good with the
next session of the Senate now. In the twentieth
Congress appropriation for this purpose made out
OF the contingent fund.- but he hoped the practice would
be now efectuay stopped, &c and he willing that
this retrenchment might operate on himself, new
ator, first, Sc
On motion, the Senate then adjourned.