The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-06
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

AT -, m, precisely, the SPEAKER took the chair,
and called the House to order.
Whereuron the Clerk read the journal of the proceed
lngs of The House on the day before
Mr. McCLELLAND gave notice, under the rule, of in
tenton 10 Introduce the following bills:
bill making appropriations for the preservation,
PAR, and completion OF certain harbor Improvements
the northern lakes
bill making appropriations for the improvement of
certain harbors on lake Michigan and OF the St. Clair
fats;
bill making appropriation of land for the consruc-
ton of canal around the falls of Ste Marie, the State
Mr. WENTWORTH, on the part of the Join, commit
tee appointed yesterday to inform the Executive of the
readiness of Congress TO receive any communications
fTom him, reported that, in reply, he had notified the
committee that at of this day he would send in
message IN writing.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania offered the follow
Ing resolution; which was adopted
Resolved, That the Clerk be furnished the
members of the House, during the session. such
papers as they direct the expense thereof
cee the oil T3) annum to each member from the
commencement of the session.
Mr. SAWYER gave notice of intention to introduce n
phi to legaze the location OF certain land warrants at the
land office at Defiance, Ohio, and for other purposes
Mr. GOGGlN gave notice of motion for leave to in
rouce bill to reduce the rates of postage on letters and
newspapers to establish uniform postage charges, and to
correct abuses Of the franking privilege.
On motion of Mr. HENLEY it was
Rssoiped That the shading committees be appointed
, conilng to the rules and orders of this House.
MIR. GREELEY gave notice of motion for leave to
introduce bill to discourage speculation in public lands
and to homes thereon to actual settlers and cult
yators
communication in writing was received from the
President of the United States by Knox Walker, esq.,
his private secretary which being the Presidents annual
message, 1t read
During the reading of the message, Mr.. STEPHENS
rose to suggest that the further reading be dispensed
with, as the members had been furnished with copies,
and were generally perusng them
Several voices, however, crying No, no!
Mr.. SIEPHENS waived his suggestion, and the Clerk
proceeded with the reading
Mr. uASKEJ ,f,oru,,,Js ronorod Tho e,rro,,;o,
Mr. VlNTON said that the reading OF the Presidents
annual had been dispensed with and that
any such course in this instance would probably be con-
s'rned into want of proper respect for the Executive
Ine SPEAKER directed the Clerk TO proceed with the
reading. and ii was continued.
When the Clerk had concluded
MI BRODHEAD moved the reference Of the message
10 the Committee of the Whole House the state of the
Union, and the printing of $4,000 copies with the &C
companylng documents
MIR b, remarked that this was the usual number and
mat his motion did not provide for printing any'number
OF copies OF the message without the accompanying doc
unents.
MIR. SMITH of Indiana moved to amend this motion
by striking out $4,000, and inserting 10000 in lieu
thereof
Mr. CONGER said that, under the rules Of the House.
all motions with reference 10 printing should be referred
to the Committee on the Public Printing
Mr. SMl I'll OF Indiana remarked that usually there is
great anxiety in the public mind to read similar State pa
pers as early possible. That the war having been
brought 10 close much of this eagerness had ceased to
exist He was OF opinion that ten thousand copies would
prove sufficient TO supply the legitimate demand of the
country upon the House for this State paper He be.
leyed that before the largest number suggested could be
printed and out by the House, it will have reached
all who desire read il through other channels and he
referred 10 the dlatory manner in which the House
printing OF the last session was executed to justify this
impression
MI CONGER here read extract from the law to
Ter motions to print to the Committee Public Printing
prove the proprey of his suggestion for the reference
OF the motion under consideration
The SPEAKER explained; saying that the rules Of
The House, so far they bore on the question, clearly