The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-24

House OF Representatives. :,

TEE seer su,iNEs.-oRAvr cHAReKs-PEcuLArIoN.
the Of other business little debate sprung
up, altogether uninterestng In order to better
OF the subject 1t Is necessary to state
that the former session, the clerk directed TO
furnish the members with the Diplomatic History
Gales and Seatons Register Of Debates Congressional
Globe and Appendix and other books Ito the value,
probably. Of S75ol provided it necessary
print The old members had received these volumes,
The clerk a the opening of the present session made
report, to the effect that there several hundred
copies Of one Of the works in the State Department. and
he made few suggestions This communication was
referred TO the Committee on Printing, and to-day II
made report in substance, that some OF the books
could be procured from booksellers and aders and
recommended the passage Of resolution authorizing
the clerk OF the House to buy the volumes to make SETS
at price not exceeding that which they have been
brief but true outline of the history. And now for
the action consequent thereon.
MIR. SrEPHENs having made a motion TO ADJOURN
Mr. WrsrwoRTH said I'll have been in the habit of
voting books for myself but rise to remark that
three hundred Of those which have been voted
others have been going the rounds Of Congress for
the last ten years. want the books ordered for the
new members TO be sent to their residences. am
fdent that books have been taken by members, and
sold Tor FEW csT s@. Ss VINO a Se
nsmes?' What does he say" That members
have cold their books ~
Mir HUNT imme diately arose, and remarked, amid the
confusion that prevailed: The gentleman, Mr.
Speaker, ought not to make charges of that kind
f. No, it's wrong F" Give us the names."l
Mr. WENTWORTH Chis seven foot form still towering
in the hall u have given facts aud have the evidence
MIR c. BRowN quitting in a word A man in this
city offered me set OF there papers for third their
Mr. WrSrwoRrH resumed do not want any new
member to understahd that do not wish to give him
the books but there should be end to this procee
ing of embers selling their BOOKS. have always
been Of this opinion There are books with marked
still here in this city.
Mr. MoLrAN desired to know whether, if the report
Of the committee and the resolution appended thereto
be laid upon the table by the House. the Clerk would
be under any obligation to procure the books.
MIR WEsTwoRTH resumed-There older heads
than any Of who have carried the resolution for
books every year. think that once had a COM
mittee to investigate the matter of members dsposing
oftheir books. t'What's that he says?r THAT men,
beers sell their books!'l have doubt that books
sold here and all ask is, when give these books
for the benefit of schools libraries that they shall
20 there. believe that If the members of this Con-
gress take them home, We will never hear more Of
Them nor see them again. wish to draw an amend
ment-tbat the Clerk that the books are sc mt to
the residences of members. [Good; Isecond the mo.
ton" ~ don't."l 1t may cost a littie more for
thousands of dollars.
OPPOSITION ExpREssEp-Goop PATH
MIR. MoLANE-I am opposed to the adoption of the
report Of the committee, and the resolution appended
There be doubt that Congress when they pass
be in good faith There was
noise and confusion" which induced the honor
able gentleman to sayl-1 besesch the new members
who entitled to there books to hear me. If We
underst and the report is to enable the clerk to OBJ
tain by ndirection, all the books similar to those
nirhed to other members am opposed to this; such
u The effect. i suppose shall receive all the books
which the clerk obtain in, good faith without re-
printing and without purchasing suppose that the
books which the Clerk announces will be furnished to
every new member; and suppose that the books
which cannot be got will not be received hone that
the House will lay the table this report and reso-
luton and leave the Clerk to act according the orr
snal resolution or refer the whole subject to the
House. ! will not receive book after the statement
made by the gentem from Illinois, (Mr. Wentworth)
that the Clerk will obtain them by purchasing from
members and after that of the Clerk that he cannot
obtain them without special contract with booksel-
ers. do not think that the gentleman from Illinois
this 10 the mode and by which booksellers obtain
these books. The gentleman knows that such is the
mode and manner. We are aware that the Clerk is
ready to distribute all the books which he has obtained
in good faith and submit whether ought to have
additional legiilation. e. Let's have the bOoks')
Mr. BorTs-I with to occupy moment Of time I
offered at the last sessop the resolution to furnish
the new members of Congress. with the books Having
been member several sessions before. had rs.e;rss
them myself and have them now at home. r. That IS
more than every one can say The reso utioh was
gres-a verbatim copy-an when it was brought to
my de,k was urgently solicited BY gentlemen
this floor, who had not received books, to offer it.
interested in it, because had received mine.
was disposed to extend to others the same liberaty
which was extended ts me. make this statement to
acquit myself any participation to the object of
any such arrangement.
MIR McLANE-I move that the resolution and report
STRONG rALK-"yrRrrE SANS pEuKu
Mr. CocxE-I think that it is high time that the
House Of representatives should put end to this.
think that the grosest fraud and most outrageous
proceedings carried on, of which cannot form
an adequate conception. | think that IL is wrong,
and grossly wrong, to deal in books extensively.
The people know nothing about Ibis matter, and the
committee will show what is the condition history
and system Of purchasing books How has it operated
The Clerk tells you that the number Of book. is ex.
hausted in part, and that the publishers (ales and
Seston) have not had copy Of them for years. and
that they sold only for members of this House. How,
then il the copies exhausted and il they were sold
only 70. members of the House. did the get
them They were procured in ne other way it is
have been members. e. That's true ~ This is the
only way. e. Have you received your books''D Yes,
and they are now at my home. What is the process
OF dieposng OF the books? A gentleman goes to the
booksellers and offers them for sale. An or der for
these books is sold for $780, the bookseller presents it
to the Clerk and receives the books with 500 or $500
No books in fact had ever been seen by the member
He cells the order for them 1t would be far better
to give every member 500 or $500 in cash Go
vernment weuld save money by it, / am opposed to
the whole system. 1.-THE country could know of this
no new member would ever dare to sell e. 1t will be
in the Heraldi) pledge myself if the House will in
stitute an inquiry by means Of q committee they will
learn all about the sale of these books There was
committee formerly appointed for similar purpose
but they never reported at all.
Mr.. Conn, of Georgia-My recollection is they never
MIR. CocKr-The result wss, that they concluded to
say nothing at all on the subject. move to lay the
The yeas and nays were called for but not ordered;
and on the question being taken the House refused
70 lay the resolution on the table.
A. ARGUMENT FOR BOOK DISTRACTION.
Mr. GIppINos-M My books with my constituents
No man buy these books CHA! ha hs!'l re-
ceived them in trust for the benefit Of my consttu.
ents. So far from laying the subject the table,
want all manner Of olks distributed among the
people think it Of more Importance to distribute
books, to enlighthn the people, than to carry on a
foreign for the destruction Of species aud at
. cost of millions upon milliens. l go for anything
which will inform the public mind | care not what
it is and go for edition OF the books. if they
be procured in no other way Ii it be in order /
move to refer the tubject TO a select comrlitteeI
'woRDs THAT BrRS"- DSrEscE OF CONGRESS.
MIR. FESABLE-l am somewhat aston..-hed at the
cour,e G: remaJk which the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr Wentvortb) has INDUCED in He has made de.
clsrations and charges which well bT.5 and L-""-hi-
.'.mop would repel He accused meCbers of the
low little dirty trick OF selling for their pecunary
No nan ought TO be willing to make such a charge
without naming the individuals e. That is right"
.rlrI---. A VIII ina another.