Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-16

OF OF the people OF the United States which was
read twice and referred TO select committee of ve.
On motion Of Mr.. CAMERON,
Ordered That the COMMITTEES be appointed by the Chair
The VICE PRESIDENT appointed Messrs. CAMERos,
DAVIS, of Massachusetts,, BurLER USDERwooD, and BAD
GER as said committee.
EXPENDITURES OF THE POST OFFICE.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Mr.. President, yesterday report
presented by the Chair the Senate from the Treasurer
OF the United States containing accounts OF the receipts and
expenditures of the Post Office Department for the four quar-
ters ending June 30th lS46 When this report laid
before the Senate other Senator seemed to pay any ae
ton TO IL and, supposing that might contain Information
valuable TO the Senate 10 my place and asked for 10
be printed The motion prevailed, and the printing
deed Afterwards the Secretary informed that this
document which usual to print and heeupon
went to the table and examined it, found TO contain
thing than Of the deposes made by the Post
Office Department at the various deposaries to the credit OF
that Department. and drafts paid by the Treasurer of the
United States Of the fund deposited to great variety
OF persons, whose names are given in the ACCOMPLISHING
twelve thirteen hundred but what the money paid for
is wholly omitted therefore conceive that is wholly
less print the document in its present shapes and have
risen, therefore, for the purpose Of moving reconsideration
of the vote by which the printing Of was ordered.
desire, sir TO call attention to the manner in which these
accounts kept There four large volumes OF the
count which shows how much labor has been bestowed upon
the report which be Of practical value whatever in its
present shape In this account there credit given to the
Post Office Department for $3.50, go and charges
Grund Of S972. amount paid to Hamilton Tourney,
$4,000 and for amount paid to Gales Seaton, rs;
and on, going through the twelve thirteen hundred
set down in the books And this is all the information
which the book contains. 1t would have been just valua
bic have said, that for the second quarter Of the year
ls4s, the receipts Of the Department much the ag
gregate, and the expenditures much.
In looking into this subject has occurred to thatmany
of the reports made by the various Departments Of Government
showing how money has been expended, very unsaac
toy in not stating for what the money was padn not
hbtng the nature Of the service rendered. the kind
quality ofhe property purchased There might be in the
luminous reports made by the different Departments of the
Government all this information given every session
of Congress. But if il communicated in the Ineligible
form in which ought be done, showing the paid
to each individual and for what service if be
tract the actually purchased and delivered by the
vendor, not apprzed by the reports made In view of
this subject, after my motion shall be disposed of will with
The leave of the Senate, submit resolution, which will be
ont resolution for the purpose OF nsucng the various De-
pamens of the Government making report
money that they inform us not only whom the money has
been paid but for what specific purpose And that be
stated very briefly, and the information communicated in that
way would be valuable When have submitted my joint
esoluon it may lie on the table, and in the mean time will
consult those better informed the subject if this information
annually given. If not perhaps shall call up the resolu
ion, and ask the action of the Senate At present, sir
reconsider the by which this very useless account
IS | think, has been ordered to be printed.
The order then reconsidered and the motion print
withdrawn.
OBITUARY.
message received the House of Representatives
Mr. Campbell, their Clerk, announcing the death of the
Hon. ALEXANDER D. SIMS, Representative from the State
South Carolina, and the action of the House with reference
hereto.
Mr.. BUTLER. Mr.. President: My late colleague the
Hon. ALEXANDER DRoMGooLE SIMS, whose death has just
announced by the resolutions read took his in the
House of Representatives, for the first time, in the Twenty
ninth Congress few days before his sudden DEATH which
ook place the 10th of the last month, Kngstee South
Carolina, he learned that he had been returned for the third
ime by the district to Congress These marks of po
,uar favor honorable evidence that he had and
aimed the confidence of an intelligent constituency.
Mr.. SIMS born in Brunswick county, Virginia, on
he 18th of June, 1908. His highly respectable PARENTS
hough moderate circumstances belonged 10 that class of
who placed high value the advantages of liberal
ducaon and two of their attained emnenee and dis
incton, and by their in e made worthy Iequita
or the sacrifices of their parents
The deceased Of whomI speaking if a scholar in
he highest import Of that term, gentleman Of excel
ent intellect, of various and elegant literary aanments
His brother (ae professor OF Alabama University was
eminent divine and ripe scholar My colleague, after pass
ng through his ordinary academic course became student
the North Carolina University and continued in that inst
uton until his junior year. when perhaps attracted by the
Ugh reputation of Dr. Mott for whose character be seemed
have entertained pious veneraon, he joined Of the
higher classes in Union College, the State of New York,
md graduated in that institution in 1929 leaving behind
him high reputation for capacity and aanmens especially
those branches of learning comprehendng the tasteful pur
suits of literature and the philosophy of the human mind
On his return from college he studied law in the office Of
lis uncle (the late Gen. DRoNGooLE,) and for
after his admission TO the bar he pacsed in the courts
Virginia His not being equal his expectation
n the aspirations of his amben-or he ambitious
nan-he removed, in 1885, Darlington district, South
Carolina, and took charge Of academy In this situation
emineny useful and laid the foundation Of many
nduring friendships which he may perhaps have been
ebed for his subsequent in life. Some Of his pupils
citizens Of distinction, and bear testimony the
eence of their teacher and pecepo and perhaps the
highest and honorable monuments he has left behind
lin are intelligent citizens who acknowledge with graft
ade the instructions derived from him.
Mr. SINS admitted to the Bar Of South Carolina in
solicitor, and advocate speak Of him with
lnegned pleasure He engaged in the most important
his circuit and always equal to Them In the
Supreme Court Of his arguments marked by research
earning, and ability.
His ambition aspircd rather to political distinction
han forensic reputation, and before be entered upon the
responsible duties Of public life he took active part popu
meetings in the exciting politics Of the time In 1910 he
returned member Of the Legislature Of South Carolina
His efforts here enhanced his reputation among his constu
and felowcitzens, and he transferred TO the Con-
yress Of the United States.
His in that body is better known to others present
han myself Judging from notice taken Of him in late
book Of biographical sketches he has acquired something like
historical reputation In early life he thoroughly school
ed in the doctrines OF the Republican party, and throughout
bis political he adhered to them with consistency and
irmness.
Mr. SINS possessed in very high degree wha, is implied