The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-14
House OF Representatives.

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION AGAIN
The States being called for petitions and Louisiana
Mr. MORSE said that he did no: rise to present one,
but TO privileged question Yesterday the House
fused agree the resolution offered by the gentle
man from Tenness (Nr. Johnson) for the appoint
ment of committee on the Smithsonian Institution.
He thought without ering into any argument, that
the House will see the importance OF appointing CON-
mttee, in order to meet the views OF the gentleman
from Vermont, (Mr. Marsh) we'll those of
the gentleman from South Carolina, Mir. Rhett; and
he had no doubt that on the other side who
wish to the connection between the Institution
and the government will the propriety of submit
ting the matter TO committee, that they may inquire
whether it would not the better carry out the beques
Of MT Smithson, to hand the fund to those who
constitute corporate body to superintend entirely
the disposition OF the money left TO the United States
1t would be well for committee to report the precise
situation OF the affairs Of the Institution. 1t is true
elaborate and able report has bee made but IL is
parfe far the interests of the House and the
country are connected with it, Let the
mttee be appointed. He was aware Of the respon-
siblc duty which Congress had AIKEN upon itself
Whatever the views of gentemen be to the pro-
priey of accepting the legacy, it is now too late to
make opposition; the government is under O solemn
moral Obligation to discharge its duty to the people of
the United States. That duty only be properly
discharged by the appointment of a committee i'm
partial capable of reporting the facts to the House,
for future consideration He did not intend to commit
himself to any pan but IT, hereafter he should his
way clear he should vote to disconnect the institution
from the government. If the committee show that
this can be done, every gentleman will probably be
willing to hand over the funds to the board The bill
been considered in committee. 1t is true that
reported from committee, and elaborate report
made but that bill was rejected, and a substitute
offered by gentleman from New York (Mr. Hough)
adopted, after amendment There many objections
to the act But he wanted the House and the ntry
to possess all the facts With these and ether ne
moved reconsideration Of the vote which rejected
the passage of the resolution for the appointment Of
committee on the Smithsonian Institution. .
and the question was decided in the Affirmative
Yeas, 107; nays, IS.
Mr. Evans moved to reconsider the vote Of ye.ter-
day. by which the House ordered to be engrossed for
third reading the bin Of Mr. Cobb, forbidding
pendture by either house Of the contingent fund,
without joint resolution of Congress. He remarked
that the gentleman from Georgia stated that ma
jorty Of the members last session, in favor of
the bill but he knew of no evidence OF the truth of
the assertion.
gave notice Of the introduction of the BILL bat time
was not allowed him to do He did however, move
asuspenson of the rules and he well membered that
q large majority voted in favor of it. but not two
thirds If the gentleman would refer TO the journal,
he would discover this truth.
MIR. EVANS replied that his recollection was, the
House not then willing to consider the proposition
nor would they be new. If the gentleman should
break his chair it would require the assent of the
Senate to have it mended The joint resolution ap-
propratng the money would have to be submitted to
the President and he cosld veto it-thus interfering
with the disposition of the contingent fund 1t would
require joint resolution for wood ice and hundred
other items-a specific appropriation. This bill is to
prevent the House from expanding the fund under
their control.
MI CoBB referred to page 2l7 of the journal oflast
session On his motion to suspend the rules 80 voted
in the Affirmative and 70 in the negative. He stated
this in onhrmation Of what be mentioned yesterday.
The bill thus received the approval Of the jorty OF
the House The gentleman from Maryland seems APP
prehepsve Of the veto power but he assured the gen.
teman that in what he sad he had refee to the
exercise Of that power did he desire to bring the
disburse that fund within the operation of the
veto power The resolution would require the sig
nature Of the President II gentlemen will reflect
the of the past few weeks they need appre
hn. rvu,fh fort o
next four years The resolution to expend the con-
tiDgent fund would require the signature of
the President than the payment Of the salary Of the
chsplans.
Mr.. EvAss-Refer to the constitution.
Mr.. CoBB-1 do not consider that my bill is such
would require the concurrence OF the House
Mr.. EvANs-lf the gentleman will give way will read
the clause
Mir. Conf have it before me-
Mr. EvArs-Read it.
MIR. Cons remarked that, If the gentleman could
satisiy him that the signature of the President would
contemplated by the bill, he would still urge its pas
rage On the House When the government first
dollars required pay the all expenses Since
the expenditure had grown as to exceed the
Of than two thirds of the States Of this
Union. The sum has doubled, and treblsd, and qua
druped. is half million Of dollars. is il right
that the money Of the people shall be unnecessarily
voted away by resolution Of this House at midnight,
on the last night of session. when not onethird Of
the members conscious of the objects to which the
money is to be appropriated
Mr. CoBB-Before the money Is paid out there should
be cool, deliberate action by the two houses. How
much 10 voted away the last night Of a session
Perhaps not ten members know Large amounts of
money are foolishly voted away. He recolectel one
instance, when he was member Of the Committee of
Accounts. resolution was introduced, and passed,
to buy what was called valuable statistical informa-
tion, costing $4,000. He ressted 1t in the House and
in the Committee, but without effect The books were
purchased, and turned ogt to be worthless. They
ordered be carried to the Treasury department
and there they are buried beneath the rubbish
Ly. onff ha tNt.fta fh aN
every joint resolution and act before become law,
except resolution of aJjournnen shall be present.
ed to the President. etc.
Mir. Corr was aware Of that but his bill was no.
,nch as was contemplated By the constitution. The
House votes $4,000 for books and extra pay TO its
omcers Does any one believe that this would be done
u IL required concurrent action Of the two branches
The proposition which lie submitted proceeds on this
principle viz:-thst the contingent fund should be
devoted 10 ats true purpose and that all motions TO
pendt should be examined coolly, and deliberately
MIR. wHIrr remarked that il the bill co nte nplated
reform Of the expenses Of the House il began at the
small end Of the horn. He wac not in favor OF it.
nays6
MIR CoLIlmER offered few remarks in opposition to
the bill and then the House by vote of % TO So
considered the vote by which the bill ordered 60
be epgrotsed for third reading, and the bill com.
mitted TO the Committee OF Accounts
Mr. Corr made an Intellectual attempt to introduce
the proposition In another form.
FsLsE swEARING.
MT hocKwELLi Of Con necticut, from the Committee
OF frlvse Claims reported bill to preye ut false
pg .itn TO claims which carried through
the several forms, and passed.
DIT STEWART, OF Michigan, offered n resolution, the
substance OF Mr. Cobbs bill ana in the shane OF Joint
rulethat neither the Senate nor The House ,hal dis
pose OF any portion Of the contingent fnna without
TIE concurrence Of boGh houses; and lac moved the
previous question
Mr. AsnMUS moved to lay the resolution On the Ia
Die. and
Mr.. SIuARr demanded the yero and NAYS, which
were ordered
MT. Evans inquired whether joint resolution did
not require notice Of day
The sPEAKEk replie a in the negative.
The previous question was Iot sustained and tho
resolution was ordered TO lie over.
THE GOLD REGIONS
On motion Of MIR HESLY, tho Committee OF WAYS
ano Means were inttructed TO inquire into tbs exps
oiehey Of survey Of New Mexico and Calafornia and
Ihe etabshnent OF United States mi at a the last
territcryi and also the occupation OF the gold
"h"j hat the proceeds thereof BE- appreciated 20