The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-02


the serious Inconvenience involved as all knew in the
delay OF the publication OF the documents which the en-
gravings IN question are 70 accompany Twas probable
on the table OF the members much before the end Of this
long session He trusted that the House would seriously
consider this mattel and 80 change the present system Of
delivery OF the documents in question IN reasonable
Mr. CARTIER said he was in favor Of sustaining the
resolution reported by the Committee on Engraving.
We told by the chairman OF the committee that the
maps contemplated by the resolution are chiefly illus
irave Of the geology Of the northwest and Necessity 10
the inelligbity OF the accompanying documents Oh the
Presidents message. He in favor OF the publication
OF these documents, with their ustI aions Tor the same
reasons that upon former OCCASION he had voted for
the largest number OF the report commerce and nay-
CATION He held that the public treasure Is well expend
ed in disseminating among the people knowledge OF the
current condition and substantial interests OF the republic
whether the information relates TO the natural history or
political condition OF the country This resolution recon-
mended itself especially to his support for the reason
that hemaps proposed by il said TO develop TO very
considerable extent, the mineral wealth oil the hitherto un
ploed geology OF the great northwest II So their publ
cation is Important to the government in facilitating the
sale OF the public domain and very important, indeed
10 the vast multitude oil western emigants who are an
nually exploring that region, with the view OF fixing
their future homes He was not little surprised 70 md
the resolution opposed 6y the distinguished gentleman
ing on former occasion, emphaticay urged upon
our support the publication Of the geography OF the
Atlantic coast important to the commercial interests OF
the country These maps sustain the same relation TO
the West and the western emgfant that the coast survey
and the maps thereof bear to the seaman The points
the mariner to port of safety; the other directs the
Mr. WINTHROP Tin explanatory remarked that the
gentleman from OHIO Mr. CAsTTER had mistaken ne
tenor q ms tM Ws remarks ne ala no. complain dG 10
doubt their importance TO the country His protest was
against the in which they being executed
He objected to the fact that the House does this work BY
the printing OF the House is not done in due time.
Mr.. FOWLER "a member Of the Committee on En-
craving said hs would o sw Cr the
planned OF BY gentlemen, was in no degree mpua6ie TO
the committee; and that there are good and sufficient
o adopting as resolution hey have Sas
committee, at early day in the session, reported res
oluon in favor OF engraving the maps, drawings &C.
the Presidents message and other e1ec u
members, on the ground that the sum paid Tor engraving
last year was large, and might be so this year. unless
timely measures were adopted 70 preSsnt ana mere
afterwards the resolution was taken IRON the liable and
"recommitted, with instruction. to ascertain by such
me az me committee Sa might q, deem best and report 70
The committee, thus instructed, forthwith caused
notices 10 be issued in several Of the large cities far as
asking Sr proposals from sucn a a. So Sn %
limited time That time having expired, the committee
yesterday, and, opening and examining the propo
SAILS prepared and submitted the resolution before
the House. This is succnct and yeritable narrative OF
this matter Now, Mr. Speaker, submit it to the House
whether, if unnecessary delay be imputabe to any per-
sons any share Of il should fall upon the committee.
the facts just stated must convince every gentle
that all practicable despatch in the matter has been
used And now to the reasons for adopting the reso
luton
That the members Of this House may act understand
ngly, should be known and considered what has been
done to make this engraving necessary Sir our prede
erous mind commend, to the public interests,
connected with the public domain, made provision To-
the survey of the western lands, and lakes, and rivers
connected with the mineral localities The 2sth Con
gess in 1884, appropriated $4,000 for surveying, will
reference 10 mines and minerals in that portion OF Mchi
gan south Of Lake Superior, under the special direction
OF the Secretary OF the Treasury and such rules and
regulations as he may prescribe.
The 2sth Congress, in the year 1916, appropriated
$1,000 for surveying the copper region Of Michigan
erals In ls47. additional appropriation Of $4,000
was made for the same purpose. The Goth Congress
in ls4s. appropriated $4,000 for surveys, part Of
which (say $50 ,0o0) was for the purpose before
stated And in ls4s an additional sum Of $4,000 wa.
voted for completing the surveys. Thus Sl50,000
let il be remembered, have been expended in pro-
curing these surveys; and the work is now being
completed The surveyors and biologists have made
their reports TO the Secretaries, who have communicates
them with their annual documents And the true CUES
ton before Nj. Speaker, 10, shall the work
Undertaken and prosecuted at such expense and fol
the promotion of the public interests, be made available
by publications. You must print these reports. and
engrave and issue the accompanying maps and draw
inSs. neither the government the people will reaI
the least benefit from the expenditures that have been
literally made Sir, the wisdom OF making the survey
is not the matter before that matter dis
posed OF by predecessors They caused the surveys
to be made; zoe are simply TO decide whether will
authorize their publication On this question,
that every member of this House, who will duly con
slider the resolution, and what proposes shall be done
will give II his ready support
Mr.. HAMMOND desired TO say word in reply TO the
gentleman from Massachusetts,. He knew nothing of the
expedency of having the engraving Of this House done
through the agency OF committee The plan suggested
by the gentleman may be better But delay in the
pursuance OF the io4h rule OF this House, the com
mittee long since reported q resolution asking the
| authority 10 contract for the engraving necessary
to accompany the Presidents message But the House
declined at the time to grant this authority, and
exhibited determination not 10 grant this authority
until should know what the expense would be likely
amount TO- The committee, therefore, asked that th
resolution should be recommtted to them that they nigh
ascertain and report TO the House the probable cost II
ascertain this fact they resorted TO the plan which hal
given dispeasure to the gentleman from Massachusetts
They advertised in the newspapers Of Boston, New
| York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, tha
oil who might be disposed 10 do this work might have
an equal chance Of obtaining it-that the committed
might be free from the opportunity and suspicion Of par
tally, and that by competition the bids might be brought
individuals alone should have the opportunity OF being
benefited by the contracts which are TO be made by hi
committee The committee have thrown the door oper
10 all, 90 far their action has gone. The House, how
ever have the power 10 correct their error, one Ia,
been made
II there has been unnecessary delay, fhe House has
caused H. In would have been more fair those who now