The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-05
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
MONDAY, February 4, 1850.
S,E NATE.
FIRST SESSION.

n1ILLrR, CAss, DICKINSON, COOPER, SHwARD, DAVIS
of Massach usetts, Downs, ATcHisoS, CLEMENS,
CoRwIN, KINe, and YULEE.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD presented the proceedings
Of public meeting held in Richmond, Kentucky,
1912 the same bounties granted to the soldiers Of
the Mexican
Mr. DOUGLAS presented petition of sundry
citizens Of Chicago in favor Of the free navigation
Mr.. CASS presented memorial praying for the
establishments of some mode of settling national diff
hculties without recourse to war.
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Memorials praying reduction Of postage ON let
ters were presented by Messrs CAss, DICKINSON,
BERaIEN, SEwARD, DAVIS Of Massachusetts,, BALD
WIN, CLARKE, and CoRwIn.
FLoaoISo IN THE NAVY.
Mr.. COOPER presented memorial praying the
abolition of fogging in the navy.
THE TARIFF.
MIR. COOPER presented petition from citizens
Of pennsylyania praying the repeal or modification
REPORTS FROM Committees.
Mr.. JONES, from the Committee ON Pensions,
reported bills for the relief Of Jno. Mitchell, HUI
bert H. Boone, Johnston Hutchins, and Elizabeth
Monroe.
Mr.. HAMLIN. from the Committee on Com
mcrce, reported bill for the relief of John A. ,
of New York
Mr.. NORRIS, from the Committee on Claims,
made adverse reports on several claims.
Lands, to whom had been referred several petitions
of officers and soldiers of the war of 1872 asked to
be discharged from the further consideration of the
same, and that they be referred to the Committee
on Military Afairs.
He also reported bill granting TO the State of
Michigan the right of way, and donation Of pub
lie lands to aid in the construction of ship canal
round the falls of the river St. Mary, in that State
Mr.. RUSK. pursuant to notice, introduced bill
for the relief Of VIM. L. Cavenagh.
Mr.. DODGE, of Wisconsin, offered a resolution
which lies over, requesting the Secretary Of the
amount of money expended for the construction of
harbors. opening roads, building light houses and
pier lights, &C., within the Milwaukee land dis
trict. Also, that he communicate copies of a re-
port of the soundings of the harbor of Racine in
Wisconsin. made by 1t. Webster, with the accom-
Mr.. YULEE offered q resolution, that the Com
mittee on Public Lands inquire into the propriety
Of providing compensation for certain registers
and receivers in Florida. And another, that
the Committee on Naval Affairs inquire into the
expectancy of providing suitable naval depot at
Mr. CLEMENS offered a resolution inquiring
into the expectancy Of establishing national foun-
dry in the State of Alabama.
Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, offered a resolution in
curing into the expectancy Of making geological
survey Of Oregon Territory.
Mr. CoRWlN offered resolution inquiring into
the propriety. Of making certain payments to the
Winnebago Indians.
Mr.. DOUGLAS submitted the following, which
was adopted:
Resolued, That the Secretary of War cause to be
laid before the Senate the report made to General
Persifer F. Smith, by M. l.. Smith, of Topographic
cal Engineers, upon the improvement and drain
age of the city and valley OF Mexico.
The unfinished business (being the resolution
suspending diplomatic relations with Austria)
came up next in order, and, after short conversa-
ton, the resolution was laid on the table, and the
Senate proceeded TO the confederation of the bill
making provision for taking
THE CENSUS.
The bill having been read
Mr.. DAWSON moved to strike out of the first
section the word "annexed" and insert "the tables
prepared by the census board" He thought the
plans or tables submitted with the bill not ~
complete, nor well calculated to the collection
OF statistics as those prepared by the census board
this subject had been referred to the board at the
last session. That board had made a very brief
report which was before the Senate That report
contained no tables. The committee had, after la
borousy considering the subject, adopted the TIA
bes printed with the bill. set of tables was laid
before the committee by the secretary of the board
which had, a. the secretary of the board statsd,
ton with the board. The committee had consid-
cred these tables, and keeping In view that the in
quiries to be made should Be condensed posi-
bic, and not too complex and numerous.
debate ensued TO the powers given by the
law establishing the census board; whether the
board had the authority under that law TO frame
the plans for taking the census and that such plans
board was only directed to report the plans and ia
bcs 70 Congress- TO be approved, altered changed
by Congress, at its pleasure; in which Messrs.
DAWSON, SHIELDS, BEsRIES, DAVIS of Massachu-
sets, UsDERwooD, and BApoKa participated.
The question then taken on the amendment
and II was rejected
Mr.. BORLAND offered an amendment to the
twentieth secton the scction IL stands, directs
that all the necessary printing shall be done under
the supervision and authority Of the Secretary oft
Interior. The amendment directs that II be done
by the printers TO Congress, under the law that
subject.
Mr.. HALE was opposed to this amendment. The
work done for Congress Mt the last session per-
formed in most shameful manner.
Mr.. BRIGHT did not consider the remark of the
Senator from New Hampshire sufficient answer
TO the proposition Of the Senator from Arkansas II
the work OF tho public printer was not done well,
ne could be held TO the contract The cost oil the
printing Of the blanks for taking the census would
cost not less than 8 300, 600 The bill 1t
stood placed this matter In the hands Of the Secre-
tary of the Interior.
He was not disposed 20 give the expenditure Of
this large TO the Secretary of the Interior; he
would perhaps be willing entrust II 10 other
officer, but not that Secretary.
Mr.. HAMLiN advocated the amendment. The
sum appropriated by Congress for the same work,
in lS40, was . I37 900, and II admitted that
more than one half that clear profit. He
hoped the amendment would be adopted, and then
the cost Of the printing would be within the control
OF Congress
Mr.. HALE had but little interest this subject;
but he took occasion to say that he disapprovcd
trey OF connecting the enumeration OF the nhabit-
ants with the collection Of statistics All expert
encc showed that these statistical returns were
wholly incomplete, untrue, and consequently worse
than worthless. These collections of statistical in
formation should be left the States and Congress
should only provide for the enumeration Of the in
habtants.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD offered as substitute for the
amendment provision that the work should be
Performed under the authority and supervision Of
the Secretary Of the Interior restricting the cost Of
the work 10 the allowed to the public printers
for similar work
Mr.. DAWSON called the attention Of the Senate
70 fact which would perhaps illustrate in some
way the cost which the printing OF those statistics
would amount to. In schedule number there
was a column in which the cnumerators TO
put down ''the name of every person whose usual
place OF abode on the first day Of June, 1850, was
IN this family" This was but single item In the
| first schedule.
He estimated the population of the State Of New
/ York he tUo nd IA rnfllfons NJ Now