The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-08-23
Thirty-First COngress--IstSe Session.
Correspondence of the Charleston News.
WASHINt:rnN Aur 1S

Correspondence of the Charleston News
WASHINGTON, Aug. Is.
In the House, the Speaker presented letter
from Mr.. Conrad, rendering his resignation as
member His first act in assuming the duties
Of Secretary of War was to discharge Mr. An
derson, the chief clerk. 1t was the intention of
the latter to have resigned on the first of next
n,onth, but the new Secretary anticipated him.
The House again went into Committee of the
Whole on the Civil and Diplomatic Appropria-
ton bill, speeches being limited to five minutes
The question was still on the first section OF
the bill which provides that hereafter the mile
age of members shall he computed according
to the mail route; also, that members residing
east of the Rocky Mountains shall receive only
$1,000 mileage for each session, and those re-
siding west of the Mountains not more than
{ $4,000; likewise thai no Senator shall receive
mileage for anv session of that body if called
within' thirty days a(ier the Adjournment OF
8 both branches of Congress, unless the travel
3 for rwhich such mileage is charged, has been
actually performed.
ali. Mct;augley thought this proposed re-
4 form was. all right, only it ought to have been
commenced earlier
Mr. Toon,bs replied that it never was too
late to attempt the removal Of an evil.
Messrs Fitch and Mead spoke in favor of the
direct route. They thought member might
travel very we'll on a road which was good
enough to admit of the transportation OF the
mails:
Mr.. Stanton of Tennessee, moved to amend
by inserting "tl,e usually travelled route" but
it was reiected-Ayes 40, Nays 70.
Mr.. Featherston alluded to the practice OF
"pairing off," and argued that the pay of men,
bers so doing ought to be deducted. He de-
{ nounced it as great evil demanding immedl'
ate correction. 49,
Mr.. Woodward replied that he would be
willing toleave the matter to their constituents.
Mr.. Carter followed, and denounced the prac-
tee as an abomnation.
Mr. Vinton spoke against all amendments,
and in favor of prompt action OH the bill.
S.. Finally the amendments to the first clause
were rejected, and the second clause of the
bill was taken up.
Ii appropriates $l97,749 for stationary, flu.
ell, printing and other contingent expenses oi
the House.
On motion of Mr.. Holmes, an amendment
appropriating 1000 was agreed to for carry.
ing into effect the act of lS4S, providing Tor
the exchange of books ETC., with foreign coun.
tries, under the plan of NJ. Vattemare.
The residue of the day was consumed by a
dry but somewhat ill-uatured discussion on the
clause providing for the furnishing Of the usual
books for members. The consideration of the
bill will be resumed on Monday, and it will
have precedence of all other business until dis.
posed Of This does not include any appro.
priation for the pay of members, a separate bill
being required for that purpose.
741he Senate haptdg adjourned to Monday,
many of the members of that body have avail.
ed themselves of. the opportunity to leave the
city, -,
Mr.. Bayly's declaration that the Committee
on Ways and Means will report against any
modification of the tariff, has excited Il great
deal Of indignation among the Pennsylvania
members They complain that after all the fine
promises of Mr.. Bayly and his friends, the in.
dustria Interests of the North are to be treated
with cold contempt
In the present state of affairs no one profess
ses to form any idea as to the adjournment
of Congress. Many think it cannot be before
lst of October.