The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-08
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
FRlDAy, June Z, 1850.
SENATE

IL
Mr.. STURGEON presented a petition from a.
zens of Pennsylvania, praying modihca'ioh oi tne
Petitions were presented by Messrs. CLARKE
and DoDGE Of Wisconsin.
THE PUBLIC PRINTER
Mr. MASON presented the petition Of William
NJ Belt one Of the contractors Tor the pubic PRINT
ing setting forth his inability TO perform the PRINT
ing according TO the contract Mr.. M. read sev-
eral passages in the petition.
Mr.. DAYTON asked who Was the contractor!
Mr. MASON William NJ. Belt
MIR DAYTON. Who the sureties on the
Mr. MASON said the sureties we're Thomas
Richie and Thomas Green. From what he could
learn, he believed that Thomas Richie Vas sub
stantially the contractor.
He moved the reference OF the petition TO the
Committee on Printing.
Mr. BORLAND said that he wished the memo
rial 10 have some other direction. The committee
have already made report ON the subject,
Mr.. FOOTE said that, as there was an apparent
reluctance the part OF the Committee on frlht
ing TO AXE this ,mattcr under consideration, they
having already acted upon the subject, nc moved
the reference TO select committee
Mr. BORLAND said that the Committee on
Printing had at an early day examined the sub
iect and had become satisfied that the iacls set
forth ia the memorial were true, and that II The
contract enforced, il would be rulnous 10 the
contractors perform the printing al the very loN
prices at which il taken. He had, as chair
man Of the committee, addressed a letter To the
contractors suggesting that the contracts be abro-
gated. The committee had reported 10 the Senate
such facts, and Joint resolution Tor that purpose
Mr.. FOOrE said that he considered the subject
should be inquired into, and relief granted II II
should be ascertaincd that such was necessary and
just.
Messrs BoRLAND. HALE and FooTE con.
tnued the debate.
Mr. MASON withdrew the motion TO refer the
memorial to the Committee on Printing.
Mr.. HALE renewed the motion
MIR, BADGER suggested the Committee tie
Judiciary.
Mr.. HALE accepted that as a modification of his
motion.
Mr.. BUTLER opposed the motion, and the cues
ton being taken. was decided in the negative.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD moved the reference to the
Committee on Printing, and the question being
taken, il was decided in the atflrmatve--yeas 20,
nays II.
Mr.. BENTON said that few days ago he had
mentioned that the report of w Cary Jones, on
the subject Of California land titles had been printed
by Messrs Gideon & Co. for Mr.. Jones, and that
he would bring a copy Of IL TO the Senate, and
would state the cost Of printing it. He now would
lay the table acopy Of the report that might be
examined. One thousand copies cost $ 100 The
document was one of sixty pages and vas printed
on good paper, with good ink, and with good work
lnanship.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
MIR. KING said that during his service in the
Senate nc had never shrunk from the performance
of any duty which had been assigned him, and
which he could possibly perform. He was on the
Committee appointed TO investigate the disturbance
which took place in the Senate time since.
An occurrence had taken place ON yesterday before
that Committee, which rendered 1t necessary that
he should decline serving any longer on that Com
lnitee. He would not GO into details; 1t was suiil
Gent Tor HIM TO state that he could not proper
ly serve any longer. He therefore asked TO be ex
cused.
Mr.. FOOTE said the Senator would say, that the
occurrence spoken of had no reference to him.
Mr.. BADGER said that he hoped the Senator
would not withdraw from the Committee. He had
been ON the Committee, and was familiar with what
had taken places and il would be exceedingly EN-
barrassing position to whoever would be appointed
10 NIL the vacancy.
Mr.. PEARCE said that il desirable that the
Senator would not withdraw from the commit e..
Every member of that committee would be glad
that the Senator would remain
Mr.. KING said that he had no intention of con-
veying the idea that he and any member Of the
committee had had any difficulty. He had attended
every meeting Of the committee, and had cndea-
vored TO discharge his duties faithfully and impair
TALLY. But there wac an idea that he had preju-
dices, and BIASED in his opinion, and this rem
dered il improper that he shoald continue on the
committee.
The question then put, and Mr.. KISG was
excused. Ii ordered, also, that the vacancy be
filled by tile VICE President.
REPAIRS OF PRESIDENTS HOUSE
Mr.. CLARKE, from the Committee Public
Building s reported the following joint resolutions:
ResoiUed, by the Senate and House of Representa-
ires of the United States Of Aneica, IN Congress
sembied That much of the appropriation made
for painting the Capitol as is yet unexpended, and
not required for that purpose, be, and the same
hereby is, transferred 10 repairs upon the Presi-
dents House. And that the Commissioner of Pub
Tic Buildings be, and he hereby is, directed 10
pend the said unexpended balance, much
thereof as Is necessary, upon the Presidents House
and the outbuildings Immediately adjoining.
TIE JUDICIARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
DIR. DODGE, Of Iowa, presented petition signed
by DR.. Thomas Miller and Others citizens Of Wash-
ingtOn, praying reorganization of the judiciary
III the District Of Columbia.
Mr.. WALkER pursuant To notice, introduced a
bill to reorganize the courts Of the District Of Co
lumbia.
THE PENSION LAWS.
Mr.. BoRLAND submitted the following resolu.
ton, which lies over under the rule:
RssolUed; That the Committee on Pensions be in
structed to inquire into the propriety Of amend
ing the pension lave as 10 place the officers and sol
iers of the army the same footing with the ofil-
Gers and seamen of the navy Of the United States.
And further, into the propriety Of providing by
law for granting pensions % the widows and
phans of those soldiers, whether volunteers
lars, who served on the frontiers of the United
States during the late war with Mexico, and that
the committee report by bill or otherwise.
IMPROVEMENTS ~ MOBILE BAY.
MIR. KING submitted the following resolutions,
which lies over day under the rule:
ResoiUed, That the Secretary Of War be directed
20 communicate to the Senate such information as
his Department can furnish as 10 the practCability
Of removing the obstructions and deepening tic
channel al Dog river bar and Cboctaw Pass in Mo
bile bay, with the estimate Of cost if any such has
been made.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Msslssippi, from the Commit
tee Public Building, reported the following
souton, which, after short debate, was postponed
til to morrow:
RtsoiDed, That the Secretary Of the Senate il
hereby instructed procure and cause 10 be placed
ia the ia the centre two chairs suitable for the
purpose, the to. be appropriated 10 the use Of
the official reporters Of the Senate proceedings and
debates.
CALiFoRSIA-TERRIToRIAL CovERSMESrs.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of the
ball reported by the select committee Of thirteen,
20 admit California a State in the Union; 10 e..
tabsh Terfitor sl governments for Utah and New
Mexico; and making proposals. to Texas Tor the es-
tabshmcnt Of her western and northern bound
aries.
Mr.. CLEMENS moved 10 strike out of the 39tl
section the following provisions:
First 'Phc northern boundary Oi said State
ITexasl shall DC follows: Beginning at the point
ON the Rio del Norte, commonly called FL PasU
and running up that river twenty miles, measured
by a straight line thereon, and thence eastwardly
10 a point where the hundredth degree 0f west
longitude crosses Red river. being the southwos.
angle in the line designated between the United