The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-10


Mr. BUTLER said that he could no longer yield his
right as chairman OF the Judiciary Committee That
committee had reported eight ten bills, not one of
which had yet before the Senate though some of
them were OF great Importance. tie had gwen notice OF
bill which was very important indeed, Tar regard
ed portion OF the States of this Unon and he hopel
the Senate would take II up and pass IT, without allowing
il to be set aside by others. He willing TO yield 10
the authority of the Senate but beyond that he could not
yield that preference should be given any other matter
Mr. ATHERrON said that he considered il his duty
10 state that he had several Welded to the
suggestion of senators that bills before the Senate should
be disposed of before business was brought up He
had yielded especially the bill concerning the railroad
across the ishmus of Panama and 10 the pos,otce bill
lie should feel bound to request the Senate, Monday
next 10 take up the civil and diplomatic bill The differ.
appropriation bills before the Senate could be
disposed of in a day two, and exceedingly i'm
portant that the Senate should act early upon them AMI
especially among the amendments was one providing
for payments due Mexico within the current fiscal
year He would repeat, therefore, that he should deem
his duty 10 request the Senate, on Monday to take up
that civil and diplomatic appropriation bill
Mr.. HANNEGAN requested the senator from New
York to give way, that he might move that the Senate
proceed 10 the consideration of executive business in
turtherance of a notice that he had gwen twice before
MIR. DIX remarked that he not sure that the bill
would excite debate that there would be any obiec.
ton to it, 1t was bill of great importance. and in
which every State OF the Union was Interested He
hoped there fore, tina, might be taken up. lie would
give way if the Senate would agree to take up the bill
and make ii a special order for tomorrow.
SEVERAL SENATORS. Take ii up now-we pass it
in five minutes
Mr.. DIX will move, then, that it may be taken up
now.
Mr.. WEBSTER If the reports OF standing commit
tees n suppose the next order is 10 take mp the
resolutions laid upon the table; and any of these
is likely to occasion considerable debate il would be
quite proper to move that it be laid the table. do
not know any way to get through the business of the
Senate SO good as to follow the rules and general
ce of the Senate hope the reports being in, that
the resolutions will be taken up which upon the
table, and that those which of to occa.
sion long discussion will be disposed of.
M would q frOm
New York to avail himself OF the suggestion OF the sen.
ator from Massachusetts,, and TO withdraw his motion
until the resolutions could be disposed OIL when he might
renew il.
Mr. DIX said that he would acquesce with great
pleasure but he had given way once before, and other
members had stepped in and made motions other bills
MIR. WEBSTER Because other subjects had prefer.
ence resolutions then; they have not now
RESOLUTIONS CONSIDERED.
Mr. DIX having given way,
The Senate proceeded to The consideration Of the fol-
lowing resolution submitted by MIR. BENTON
ResoDed That the l9h rule which provides for choosing
the Secretary of the Senate and Door
Congress, be repealed.
Mr.. BREESE asked for an explanation of the resou.
Mr. BENTON said that experience had satisfied him
that it would be advantage to have periodical cleo
ton, except of the highest officers The elections
always in their hands Although he had come to the
determination to have nobody applying to him for Offices
he hal found that he could not keep clear of them He
believed it was a fact that individuals would apply for
engaged in the performance OF their duties should be
un ermned during the whole period of their service
These applicants would apply for the highest Offices, be-
ginning at the top and coming down the ladder 1t
like falling from They would catch at the upper
limbs, and failing of that would endeavoI 10 seize upon
every limb until they fell to the ground For long time
senator's had been clear of all the opportunities Of this
knd-so long the old rule continued in force But
from the time they had adopted the rule in force,
there had been concentration of all the reeciyes in the
United States almost thrown upon the Senate He hoped
the Senate would abolish the rule and free themselves of
these opportunities and applications for Offices He had
been against the rule from the first By adopting the re-
solution they would free themselves from all this vexa
ton, and the applicants Of all their anxiety, and still
would retain in their hands the full right discharge
any incompetent officer.
The resolution then agreed to.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the fol-
lowing resolution, reported by MIR. JOHNSON OF Louisiana
IRON the Committee on Pensions:
Rssoird That the acts of Congress relative to
pensions and the executive regulations touching the sub
ect, as have been deemed by the Committee
Pensions 10 be published well the laws relating
bounty land conainlng abou. - pages be printed under
the direction Of the Commissioner Of Psnsons and that
300 additional copies be printed for the of Senate
and LOCO Tor the use of the Commissioner el Pensions
Mr.. JOHNSON moved to amend the resolution, by
striking the words under the direction of the Com
mittee on Pensions"
Mr.. ATCAISON said that he could see no good reason
for the amendment of the from louisiana and
hoped that it would be pressed He thought that The
commissioner was the very that ought to be selected
Tor the business.
Mr.. JOHNSON said that it would be remembered by
Ocudtt pleTe was an ODJeCtiOn urged the One[
day against the Commissioner of Pensions being en-
ployed the ground that he not member OF that
body. The committee had consulted with the Commits
sioner OF Pensions. When they consulted with him in
making up the compilation to be repubshed they had
found him willing to undertake the republication of the
work. He was perfectly willing, however on account
OF the objection that had been raised have his
struck out
Mr.. WESTCOTT stated that he had made the obec-
ton referred to the other day, and he had stated the
reasons for the objection He did conceive that the
objection would apply to the Commissioner of Pensions;
but that as member of the Committee Claims, he
would state that he had seen year after year, repeated ap
plicatons made for services rendered He opposed
to the practice of putting the contingent printing of the
Senate out of their control The objection did not apply
to the present Commissioner of Pensions; but he was
opposed to the principle and thought best exercise
great deal OF caution in such Hnatters.
Mr.. DAVIS of Massachusetts called for the reading OF
the resolution
The resolution accordingly read
The question being then taken upon the amendment
it was rejected
Mr.. YULEE moved to amend the resolution by sub
stitung $1,000" for 5000"
Mr.. JOHNSON OF Louisiana had but single remark
to make. He hoped the amendment would not be
adopted The document was of great value, and very
much in demand
Mr. ATHERTON did not know that what he should
state would change the opinions of senators upon the
resolutions but, for the information OF the chairman OF
the Committee Pensions. he would ask attention TO
the bill making appropriation for civil and diplomatic
expenses section of which seemed to be similar TO
Inc resolution now proposed. MIR. A. then read the
clause
For the purpose Of printing under the direction OF the
commissioner Of Pensions an additional number OF
House document number ninety the first session oil
the twenty ninth Congress, and all