The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-10
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.


Mr.. MELVILLE was appointed a member of the
select committee (raised at the instance of Mr.
STANLy, TO inquire into certain electioneering
movements of officers of the Government under
the last administration in the place Of Mr.. INGE
who was excused from serving upon it.
OREGON AND MINNESOTA.
Reports made from standing committees
one by
Mr.. RICHARDSON, from the Committee on Ter
ritories, To amend the acts establishing the Terri
torial governments of Oregon and Minnesota. IL
was referred to the Committee of the Whole ON the
state of the Union, ordered to be printed and made
the order OF the day for the 18th and 29th of the
present month.
EXPENDITURES CONNECTED WITH THE HOUSE.
Mr.. KING, of Massachusetts, from the Commit
tee on Accounts reported a resolution-that, dur
ing the recess of Congress, the Clerk of the House
shall not cause any alterations, additions repairs
to the hall Of the House, offices committee rooms
of the same, or in the furnishing thereof, except
with the advice and consent of the Commissioner
of Public Buildings.
Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee, inquired whether
at present any alterations repairs could be made
without the order of the Speaker
The SPEAKER replied that he had no control
over the contingent fund, which was under the care
of the Clerk of the House, and nothing 10 do with
the furnishing of the hall and the committee rooms
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, did not see why a
change should be made, giving the control of the
matters specified in the resolution to the Commits
sioner of Public Buildings, who was not RESPONSE
bic TO the House, and who not presumed 10
know what are the wants and convenience OF
members.
The SPEAKER stated, further, that the expendi.
lures of the Clerk subject 10 the revision of the
Committee Of Accounts.
MIR. STANTON, of Tennessee, would propose an
amendment, and insert, in lieu Of commissioned
Of Public Buildings" the words Speaker Of the
House."
MIR. KING, of Massachusetts,, explained the OBJ
a. a. glatsar l1.s
large amount Of money expended for reftting
the hall and the committee and the Speakers
rooms. There was no Speaker then, nor was il ac-
cording 70 any rule TO consult with any person
upon the subject There should be some check 70
the discretionary expenditures of the clerk of the
House.
MIR. WINTHROP said that when he came TO the
Capitol, at the commencement of the session, he
found the chamber assigned 10 the Speaker entirely
refurnished. He could bear testimony most cheer
fully that the room needed refurnishing, and h,
congratulated the Speaker that he had a more com
Portable room than he (Mr., W. had when he oc-
cupied the position Of presiding officer Of the House
He was never consulted with regard to retting the
hall, or refurnishing any Of the rooms.
Mr.. KING, Of Massachusetts,, did not say that the
expenditure was unnecessary, but that it was tho
duty Of the Committee Of Accounts 10 report such
measures came to their knowledge in relation u
the subject
Mr.. McLANE desired to know whether the Cerl
Of the House does not bold until successor
appointed, and whether he did not give bonds fOl
the money under hs control.
Mr.. KING replied that there no doubt abou
that, but the Clerk was not authorized 20 pay ou
any money but with the consent Of the Committee
Of Accounts.
Mr.. RICHARDSON moved TO strike out the
words commissioner Of Public Buildings" in tho
resolution, and insert, "unless by direction by tn,
Committee Of Accounts, previously gwen
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, opposed the reso
/ luton In his opinion, no alteration could make
| the arrangement better than il now H..
! Mr. McLANE said that this was question below
/ the consideration Of the House. II one as Il
! whether jobs should be given out by the Commi,
! Mr.. RICHARDSON moved 20 lay the resolution
upon the table, but the motion did not prevail
4 yeas 90, nays 10.
Mr.. WOODWARD moved to strike out econ
sent and advice" and insert concurrence in tn
resolution, TO put the Clerk and the Commits
sioner equal footing.
Mr.. HOUSTON said that the repairs should b
made by irregular appropriation, asked for by tn
Mr.. MCDONALD was in favor Of the amcndmen
Of Mr.. WOODWARD, and said that there ne
cessity for restricting the expenditure during tn
! recess.
Mr.. CARTER offered a substitute for the resolu
tion-that no expenditure shall hereafter be mad
for the purpose offurnshing refitting the Hous
| or the committee rooms thereof, except by resolu
ton specifying the object and amount Of the appro
priation.
Mr.. KING, Of New York, withdrew his amend
ment.
Mr.. CARTER said, that IL any fund was like
TO be squandered, il was the contingent, becaus
there was no limitation TO the expenditure. G.
into the room Of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
and you find II furnished like palace. The fur
niture oil the next room IL simple and niggardly
He wanted TO know whether there was any reaso
70 suspect that the Committee on Foreign Affair
had any superiority over the Committee on MiIitar
Affairs. He would soon think Of reforming iii
by referring il to the Devil, as by reforming th
| expenditures under the contingent fund by refer
ring the expenditures 10 the Commissioner Of Pub
lie Buidings II is the commissioners business I
spend money.
Mr.. CROWELL inquired whether the gentlems
knew ut whose request the room OF the Commute
ON Foreign Affairs fitted up9
| Mr.. CARTER replied that he did not. He ha
accidentally stumbled into the room, and had see
the dsmask drapcry and the furniture like that {
n palace. fLaughter.]
| Further proceedings took place, when the reso
luton ofMr CAaryR was adopted, In the place {
that originally reported.