The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-16
TIE eALPmIN cLAI..


MIR. BAYLY called for the order of the day
The SPEAKER announced this 10 be the report
Of the select committee appointed 20 nvcsug gate
the COnneXion and relation Of the Hon. George w
Crawford 10 the claim of the representatives of Geo
Galphn.
The following amendment Of Mr. FEArHERsro,,.
10 the third resolution OF the select committee was
pending when the House adjourned on Tuesday,
viz:
"And that the House ocs not approve the con-
duct Of the Secretary Of War, in continuing TO be
interested in the prosec uon Of IL when it was 10 be
examined adjusted, and paid by one Of the depart
mcnts oi the Government, he himself being at the
samc time at the head of another of those depart
ments; but the House considering that such con
ncrion and interest of member Of a Cabinet with
a claim pending and prosecuted before another de-
psrunent would be improper, dangerous as
precedent, and ought not 10 be sanctioned; and
consequently this House alec totally disscuts from
the correctness Of the opinion which the said Crsv
ford said the President Of the United States eN-
pressed 10 him, that his (hc said Crawford) bcing
at the head Of the War Department, and the agent
Of the claimants, did not "a Ike from him rights
hc may have had a. such agent, or would have
justified him in having the examination and de-
cision Of the claim by the Secretary Of the Urea
sury suspended;' and that this House decidedly
disapprOvCs Of and dssents from the opinion given
by the Attorney General in favor Of an allowance
OF interest on said claim, aud from the action of
the Secretary Of the Treasury in payment of the
same claim"
MIR. FEATHERSTON said that, having demand
ed the previous question, he presumed hc had a
right to Withdraw IL. lie did go. for the purpose of
getting control OF his amendment, and withdraw
ing II. While his mind had undergone no change
a. 70 the amendment itself, hc did not regard the
present a. suitable occasion for is adoption.
Certain events have transpred since the amend
mcnt was offered, and 10 which IL was not necessary
TO allude; and for this reason among others, be
withdrew the amendment, aud demanded the pre-
viOus question the adoption Of the third rcsolu-
ton of the select committee II was true that if the
whole amendment should be adopted, il would 20
further than TO dissent from the opinion of the
late President which the Secretary Of War said had
been expressed TO him. lie did not regard this az
the appropriate time 10 express a dissent from that
opinion. The object Of the amendment could not
now be accomplished. II adopted, il would be a
mere expression Of opinion on this point. There
fore, he withdrew the amendment, and gave notice
that, at an early day, he should introduce bill 10
make permanent the objects contemplated by IT, lie
now moved the previous question the adoption Of
the third resolution reported by the select com =
miitee, and which is as follows
Resoivsd, That the act aforesaid did not author.
izc the Secretary Of the Treasury 10 pay interest on
said claim, and ats payment was not Gin conformity
with law" or precedent"
MIR. HILLIARD moved to lay the whole subject
ON the table.
The SPEAKER remarked, that the motion could
apply only to this resolution, the first two Of the
select committee were heretofore adopted.
The question was taken, and tho IIVuse-by yeas
%, nays s9-rcfuscd TO lay the resolution on the
table.
Mr.. ROOT inquired whether, il the demand for
the previous question should not be seconded, IL