The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-02-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.

The Senate was not in session.
HousE.-Mr. Vinton, from the Committee
Of ways and Means, reported the annual bill
making appropriations for the current and
contingent expenses of the Indian Depart
ment, in order to fulfill the treaty stipulations
with the various Indian tribes, for the year
ending on the Both of June, 1S49. Read
twice and referred to the Committee on the
State of the Union.
Mr.. Vinton also reported bill for farther
supply, to defray the deficiency in the APP
proprations for services rendered during the
present fiscal year, amounting, in addition to
previous appropriations of five millions, to
between twelve and thirteen millions-chiehy
for the expenses of the army and marine
corps, light houses outfits for Charges to
Naples, the Papal States, Bolivia. Guatemala
ard Ecuador, salaries, contingent expenses in
safe-keeping, transfer and disbursement of the
public moneys, and expenses on loans and
Treasury notes.
Mr.. Vinton said he supposed that the dis
covcry of an error in the estimates of the
Treasury Department, by which it appeared
that there were several millions more money
in the Treasury than was at first supposed,
would obviate the necessity of immediate
action on the Loan bill, but two days ago he
had received a letter from the Acting Secretary
of the Treasury, stating that the increased
expenditures of the War Department, amount
ing to four millions of dollars, rendered it
indispensable that there should be immediate
action on the Loan bill. The report of the
Secretary of the Treasury had not yet been
laid on the table of the members, and for the
want OF it he had neglected to accompany the
bill with report, lest it might mislead the
members of the House as we'll as the whole
country. lie was not now able to enter into
q discussion of the merits of the War bill,
(Which would call for sixteen millions) but
from the urgency of the Acting Secretary of
the Treasury would move that the bill be
tlken up next Wednesday.
Mr.. Asthmun called the attention of the
House to the fact that the Secretary of the
Treasury was urging the action of Congress
upon his measure, while at the same time he
had not furnished the members with his re-
port, although two months had elapsed since
the Committee on Printing had been called
upon for an explanation. Cause ; Delay
The printer had informed the Committee that
the Secretary had several times taken the
manuscript away, for the purpose of making
alterations.
Mr.. Mckay observed that there had been
rumors that the Secretary had altered tables
in his report, but it was not so.
Mr. Ashmun replied that the printer was
now in the House, and that he averred that
the said tables were now in the hands of the
Secretary, and that the delay in furnishing
the report was wholly owing to him.
Mr.. Mckay answered that the gentleman
had information enough, and urged an early
action on the bill.
Mr.. Hudson stated that the bill had been
rad twice and referred to the Committee of
the Whole on the State of the Union.
Mr.. Mckay produced minority report on
the loan bill, which was read and ordered to
be printed.
communication from the Treasury De-
,artment was received, in reference to this
loan. and ordered to be printed.
The Committee of the Whole on the private
calendar. Mr.. Chapman, of Maryland, in the
Chair, took up the bill for the relief of Mary
Brown. which, after due consideration was
reported to the House, with an amendment
which proposed giving her eight, instead of
twenty dollars per month. The amendment