The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-05
CITY OF WASHINGTON FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY 5, 1S49

gentlemen to propose such amendment as has been
suggested submit to the gentleman whether, in his pc
slon TO oppose the reconsideration is exactly fair if his
objection be simply TO the amount allowed TO the claim
ant since This opposition places out of the power OF the
friends OF the bill 10 propose any amendment! hope,
therefore, that the senator will withdraw his opposition
and vote Tor the reconsideration.
! Mr.. WALKER. 1 do not rise, sir, TO discuss the
merits OF The bill, but Tor the purpose OF making few
observations with regard to the report OF the discussion
which was had the other day upon this subject The
honorable senator from Alabama has already referred to
| II, and wish also to advert TO il myself
Upon looking at the report m the "integencer,"
ind myself made 10 say Just the reverse OF what did
say; aHd understand that by accident that
the senator from Florida not made TO say in the
| port OF has remarks, lin tie Union report,l that
had acted IN very ungentlemanly manner The
preston got into the report bat he had the good fortune
to IT, and the uprghness generosity and kindness
assure the reporter that he said such thing, every
senator knows that he did not say it, And desire to
say aher, that am ready, when occasion offers TO
sclnd the resolution under which the reporting OF the SEN
ale is now being done
am made TO say this that private property destroyed
to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy under
the principles OF the constitution is not taken Tor pnblic
use and therefore the owner not entitled to emnnea
ton whereas stated precisely the said, that
in of that kind, the claimant mould be entitled TO
compensation. am made to utter absurtty and if
there is not greater care IN the reports hope that here
after my humble efforts may not be reported at all
Mr.. WESTCOrr The remarks Of the senator from
| Wisconsin (Mr WALKER) make il proper that should
say few words in explanation OF matter he alluded to-
Alter the debate upon this bill when last before the Sen
ate, obtained the notes of the reporter for the Union
for my revision, as, when have leisure is generally my
practice, and have found-unless am willing 10 be
enormously repored-is the only safe practice with
reporter | was mortified and surprised finding, BY
those notes, that reported having used the wer
ungentlemanly with reference to the illusions of the
senator from Wisconsin to the navy officers corrected
1t at once but apprehensve lest might have been mis-
heard by others, called on the senator Immediately and
stated that the report have observed, and that
had corrected it; that it mistake, as could not
have used such language in which the senator agreed
with me. While the floor, take occasion say do
NOT wit tho rhn
The reporters employed by both the lneIlgencer and
Union are, think infinitely superior to any the Senate
tia and obging and disposed afford every facility
to each senator 10 be represented properly in the reports
and il all the senators would revise their remarks
eral do, whenever the subject is all Important there
would be trouble or dissatisfaction. am surprised
that the reports nearly they are when
the difficulty of hearing from the seats OF the reporters
so great and if they given better seats, doubt not
! 1t would obvlae all complaint
As regards this BILL it IS not my desire 10 press it; and
assure senators that if they will allow 10 be recon
sidered, it may lie upon the table until they satisfy
themselves with regard to the proprety OF any amend
men which they may deem necessary presume there
will be no objection To its reconsideration.
The question being then taken upon the motion for re-
consideration 1t was agreed to upon division ayes is,
MIR. WEsTCoTr observed that he had no disposition
to press the bill to-day and moved that its further
sideraton be postponed until tomorrow; which
agreed to.
JOHN DEvLIN.
The Senate proceeded the consideration of the mo-
ton made by Mr.. DICKINSON the 18th June last, TO
reconsider the vote passing to third reading the bill
for the relief OF John Devln.
| Mr. KING Months have rolled away since this bill
before u.s. and suppose there are few senator's here
who know the nature of the claim think, under these
circumstances it will be well that the matter should
be recommtted, in order that may have some more in
Mr.. DICKINSON My friend from Alabama has
stretched the time little, ii Seems TO me- 1t has only
been three four months and he says twelve months
have rolled away
| Mr. KING No, sir; months, said
| Mr.. DICKINSON. Then misunderstood the senator.
do not profess TO understand the case myself but
called up to put it in the power of the friends of the
bill to give full and perfect information; not TO
take upon myself the business OF explaining 1t, for do
not understand all the mnua of the the nature
| Mr. WESTCOTT reported this bill from the Com
mttee Claims and will state its character appre-
bend that every senator will remember the case 1t was
fully discussed at the last session When the claim
first presented reported against it. 1t was subsequently
recommed, and some additional testimony was pro-
cured when the committee were satisfied of It's justice,
and reported ia favor of it,
| The case is briefly this The Fifth Auditor of the
Treasury Department employed Mr.. Devin as clerk in
his department during the absence or sickness OF one or
two Of his clerks He said there two months. The
business increasing, he was employed afterwards for
some thirteen months, think do not recoect the time
exactly--in anticipation that Congress would make
appropriation for additional clerk in The depart
ment Congress did not make that appropr 'tion, and
the consequence was, that this man could not get
his allowance from the Auditor of the Treasury there
being law to authorize it, He petitoned for payment
for that time was at first opposed to it. But the Fifth
Auditor wrote letter, stating all the facts and
satisfied that the claim Just one, and ought to be
allowed. Other senators will recolect the case, after
this statement
Mr.. KING. have now sir, perfect recollection OF
the circumstances after the explanation OF the senator
from Florida There is but point in the pre-
sented to the Senate that in the slightest degree OBJ
lection the passage of the bl and that point is,
that he employed to do the labor OF that Office when
there was not civil appropriation made by Congress to
authorize the employment OF such clerk. But The EVIL
dencc complete that he not only labored in that office
for long me but that he discharged duties there of the
most important character-such perhaps few men, In
any office, could have perormed-and by which TO the
government OF the United States saved. probably,
some 90 80, $4,000 in settling claims that had been
partially allowed Upon renvestgation and examna
ton of these CaIms he would correct the mistakes, and
save the amounts TO the treasury.
Mr. WESf COTT. $4,000, | believe.
Mr. KING resumed. Now, sir, | repeat, there is
solitary objection and that that he not EN-
ployed in consequence of any civil appropriation made
by the Congress OF the United States to authorize the
slider it a perfectly valid claim; and think, therefore,
that this ndv dua entitled to the compensation he asks
for the discharge OF laborous duiies which he honestly
and faithfully performed.
Mr. NILES. | recollect this very well, sir.
opposed it before oppose 1t now. The statement is
ton This employed by the Auditor
there was nothing like an employment by the Auditor
lie was first employed by clerk perform duties which
properly belonged to him, and afterwards continued his
services in expectation OF an appointment There was
no employ ment by the Auditor at all He remained
waters to be the first TO step in when they were
troubled And he did step in, and thus he got his pay
voted against this bill in the first place, because be-
eved that ii not exactly correct Tor to volunteer,