Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-12-11


from South Carolina M RHFTT TO the remarks OF his col
league M VsToS the constitutional provision on which
he based his proposition That provision gave Congress powe
Ito regulate commerce with foreign nations and among tn
several States" All these powers had been committed
single committee, and the gentleman from South Carolini
(r RHErT) had said that division OF power could ncreas
power The gentleman alarmed at something he
alarmed not only at the division Of power but at the division
OF action IN carrying of power Now, they looked
this clause they would that there something thar
ne had mentioned for the clause gave other powers by
these words, and with the Indian tribes"
We had already divided the action this provision by
adding TO the Committee Commerce Committee Indian
Affairs and there be difficulty by division now there
must have been difficulty then This proposition only
for further subdivision which became necessary in
quence o the increased business OF the three
instead OF two committees Committee foreign COM
merce, Committee Commerce among the States, and
Committee Indian Aairs-three several committees,
each OF which its appropriate division of labor would be
signed
The subdivision of committees which appeared give The
gentleman from South Carolina much concern,
novel in this Government II had been going from in
situton There formerly but Committee Com
merce and Manufactures. That continued till 1919, when
division made. Then again there the Public
Lands and Private Lands, which under the pur-
view of one committee, but with which committees
charged He also found in the section of the
stuon clause which gave Congress power g make
rules for the and regulation of the land naval
forces, and why should that be committed to one com
mttee Because convenience suggested the necessity of
division, and all military matters referred Com
i
to the Committee on Naval Affairs The Committee the
Militia, too, subdivision from the Committee Militia
ry Affairs All these subdivisions made for convent
sake and for distinct action particular subjects 1t
useless however, further illustrations If the
resolution of the gentleman from Indiana Mr. Henley were
adopted the Speaker would appoint the usual committees
But if the proposition he had make could be entertained
the Speaker would have all his committees before him. and
he would be able to discriminate in the selection of gentle
men to each. All the argument of the gentleman
from South Carolina Mr RHETT) in opposition to this fur
ther subdivision based probable abuse of power
but there could be an abuse OF power by the Committee
Commerce well by subdivision of that committee that
genemans argument therefore, did strike him being
very feasible He reiterated concuson his intention
submit motion suspend the rules these motions
were disposed of.
Mr.. VINrON said was important that this resolution
should be adopted to day. which he appehensve would
be consumed with the discussion of his amendment ade
feat the object of the gentleman from Indiana, (Mr. HEN
LEr1 He proposed therefore, withdraw his motion, Civ
ing notice that Monday he would again bring for
ward his proposition TO divide the Committee Commerce
into two committees.
He here begged leave say one word in relation to the in
tmaons of the gentleman from South Carolina Mr RHErr)
that he Mr. " had in view plan to pave the way for
law TO regulate the slave trade between the States.
Mr.. RHETT had not said that the gentleman had such
intention, but that such committee mig be induced to do
Mr.. VlNTON had only to say that he had reference
whatever to that subject He had never this floor, made
any proposition which he intended to have any bearing
that SUBJECT IN any way
The resolution of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. HEN-
LEr) was then adopted
EXECUTIVE COMiUNICA ATOMS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House sundry communca-
tons, to wit
printed copies Of the Presidents Message ready to
be furnished to members the day Of its delivery Congress
by the President.
letter from the Secretary of State, transmitting, in
obedience the Goth section of the approved August %
1916, and the act making appropriations the civil and d.
pomatc expenses Of Government for the year $780, the
nua statements of the contingent expenses of the Department
State and OF foreign missions for the year ending June 80
1917 which letter and were referred the Com
mittee on the Expenditures of the Department of State
letter from the Treasurer Of the United States, trans
mtng pursuance of law copies of the reasures
with the United States for the third and fourth quarters of
s46, and the first and second quarters Is47 adjusted
by the accounting officers of the Department Laid on the
table, and ordered to be printed.
letter from the Secretary Of the Treasury, transmit
ting pursuance of law account Of the receipts and ex
pendue of the Government for the year ending the 3Oh
June last which letter and accompanying documents
laid the table, and 900 extra copies ordered to be
printed
letter from the Second Auditor of the Treasury De.
patment transmitting copies of such have been
rendered by persons charged with the disbursement app
cation OF &C. for the benefit of the Indians from the
ls of October lS45, to the 30h of September 1885, ncu
sve together with containing list Of
Of all persons to whom goods moneys effects have been
1uxered within the time. Laid on the table, and or
dered to be printed.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
Mr. WHITE, in compliance with the notice he gave yes
terday, introduced the following resolution;
Resolved That the rules Of this House be amended by add
ing the committees consist of nine members which
shall entitled Committee on the Smithsonian Institution
l. shall be the duty OF the said supervise the pro-
ceedngs Of the Board of Regents examine and the
condition of the funds of the Institution suggest such altera-
tons amendments of the law under which the institution
established be deemed and report the
House from time TO time, the interest of the institution may
require.
Mr. HILLIARD said he supposed that the resolution would
as a matter of course lie
The SPEAKER said that the resolution was now before
the House.
Mr. HILLIARD deemed this resolution entirely unneces-
The Regents OF the Smithsonian Institute select
ed three from the Senate and three from this House. What
possible necessity them could there be Justify the appoint
of committee to inspect the affairs Of that institution
Besides, other departments OF this Government required
act in with them and therefore there could be
to justify the bringing Of the affairs Of that institution
into this Of debate that its progress might be embar
rassed its harmony of action impaired and the objects which
had undertaken be defeated He asked the gentleman what
good he proposed to accomplish by He would mpute
sinister motive gentleman of his enlarged and enlightened
views, but still il must be borne in mind that the bill itself
encountered great difficulties its progress through the House
during the last session Much hostility manifested TO it,
and therefore be again asked what good could be anticipated
from the appointment Of such committee ,
He believed they ought not change the present relations
of Congress 10 that institution committee appointed by
this House would not share the daily deliberations of the
Board of Regents and, without participating in them it
would be difficult TO comprehend all its designs The Board
Of Regents had endeavoed good faith to carry the law
l,f al