The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-08

another attempt TO procure the enactment of OF
the same character which had been rejected al the last
session The effect OF its enactment would be TO bolster
the old hunkesn Of both parties and to strengthen
i for the work OF putting down what may be deemed
heresies in both In return for the expense TO be thus
incurred, said Mr. r., what 10 give the coun;
ry' Its friends say, better and elaborate well
impartial, reports He did not the necessity for
attempting in this improve the reports of the
proceedings of the House, everything said or done IN
the hall worthy OF publication is already promptly given
10 the country and In condensed form Under these
circumstances, he conceived that substantial public
benefit could possibly from carrying into effect
the proposed enactment However, before The question
is submitted TO vote, he desired to know something more
relative TO the probable expense to be thus incurred The
gentleman from Massachusetts tells that il is TO
81 50 per column, which, there is to be two such pub
caions, Will amount to l3 per column This pro rata
may not be too much but he desired to ascertain before
voting, how many columns are TO be paid for at this
rate
Mr. c. j. INGERSOLL rose TO a point of order As
he felt answerable In measure, for the origin of this
debate, he desired 10 know whether 1t Is now in order
debate any other subject than the simple
on 10 lay the resolution of the honorable gentleman
from Massachusetts OH the table,
Mr. GlDDINGS interposed, with the remark that his
colleague [Mr RooTl debating the question of laying
the table He assigning his reasons for favor
ing the motion of the gentleman from Illinois
Mr. ROOT Continuing his remarks) said He had
proposed to pay for this service He however, regarded
il as highly improper to give the public money IN tins
way to any journal or Journals The country, IN ms
resolution would result nin the speeches purpong TO-
have been delivered in the Senate which had been pub
ished in the Washington papers during the recess OF
Congress- Now though thus published and paid Tor al
the expense of the people, II is well Known fact that
they are BY means The speeches actually delivered
in the Senate chamber
But, under the proposition of the honorable gentleman
from Massachusetts, not to have the publication
of such speeches included in the contract This he be,
lieved was likely to result worse Tor the House and
country than the Objectionable arrangement of the SEN
ate. under it the members Of the House would be en-
rely at the mercy of reporters who in the haste neces
sary prepare their notes for publication on the next
morning could not conveniently submit them TO the
vision OF the speakers -
message was here received from the Senate by Mr.
DIcKINs, their Secretary, as follows:
Mr. SPEAKER | am directed to communicate TO the
House OF Representatives information OF the death of
the Hon Des LEWIS senator nat from the State OF
When MIR. HARRIS rose and addressed the House as
follows.
MIR. SPEAKER: The communication just made by the
Senate the House, notifies officially that upon
its floor is longer filed by its accustomed occupant!
That Dixon Ii. LEWIS, another of this great
federated republic has passed from the council chambers
of enrlh to the unseen, mysterious and solemn realities of
another state OF existence Days. weeks have passed
away since the unwelcome first heraldcd the
nation at large. We have all accustomed ourselves 10
template the unacrable fact free from that shock to the
cnsbilitics OF which every generous bosom
first feels when good and great is called from his
county, his family, aud his friends Perhaps the assua-
sive influence OF time may have partially reumed
with returning cheeruness the happy domestic circle,
dered lonely and desoate by his taking away Shc the
companion of his youthful days the mother of his chill
lren his faithful constant friend, to tho gates OF
death she who bends lowles beside his bier she
may have learned school her wrung sensibcs to the
hard lessons of Christian resignation Heaven grant that
It may be so!
But STILL Mr. Speaker the long and uninterrupted
in the councils of the OF this distinguished
statesman; the relations of intimacy and friendship in
which he stood many this floor and of official respon
blity and cooperation in which he stood to all, render
peculiarly fit the melancholy task OF pausng in the midst
of other duties briefly contemplate the character of
great man. who was with us but yesterday, and with
whom may be tomorrow.
DIXON H. LEWIS born in the county of Hancock, in
the State of Georgia At early period of his life he emf
grated with his father to the State of Alabama then now
State, and destined prove the chehng friend OF his
unfolding talents and his manly virtues. At premature
age he exhibited traits of that mental vgor and of
discrimination which in after years, developed and
strengthened by exercise in the practical business Of life,
placed him among the profoundes statesmen OF his coun
try His education was completed at South Carolina Col
Iege; and there, within the walls of his alma
ter tho first intellectual rium phs Of the embryo states
man achieved. In the enuous conflicts OF scho
Iasc rivalry, his competitors whose ascendency
would have reflected dscredit upon any from whom
they might have snached the palm. In the catalogue
of names constituting the class in which Mr. Lewis
graduated Unprecedented number of those who
have held high and prominent positions before the
country many of whom have graced with their pres
the halls of this Capitol and adorned other sta
tons of equal responsibility in the States which they
respectively belonged And yet among these stood tmus
pare the distinguished senator whose death de-
pore Emerging from the shades Of the academy crowned
with its highest honors, and with mind we'll stored with
the rich endowmen of classic lore he entered upon the
rugged of practical life And here the promise
his school boy days disappointed Competition
paused admire his rapid and early asccndency the
head of his profession lawyer He continued, how
ever but short time at the bar His active and excablc
mind painted for enlarged and congenia range of
thought than could bo supplied by the dry detail. of the
law He stepped upon the theatre OF politics. and there
performed his part till the of death concealed him
from Dyes.
this eminent citizen is so demonstrave Of his worth,
long and uninterrupted of public honor
his fortune Scarce had he passed the bound
AIRY which separates youth from manhood, when, in
eighteen hundred and twenty six, the voice of the people
Caced him in the legislature of his State He took
and by common consent, position in that body to which
mere preension mcdiocrity would have aspred in
vain And be il spoken to his honot a consistent and
sighted statesman, that at that PERIOD twenty years
ago. he impressed the archives of the State tho
ccnce Of those principles of public action from which, to
the day of his death, he departed From the
ellis of the State he transferred this branch OF Con
gress, and removed hence only to be promoted
Office of still higher dignity in the other end OF the Capitol
On this floor he sat representative for eighteen
secuve years the Senate for and had been elect
cd December last for additional full senatorial term,
under which far show how strong
the confidence his talents and fidelity had inspired 1t
was at ne like this, with the highest honor his State
could besow, newly conferred upon him. with bright
of honor and usefulness before him. that the mex
orable summoned him