The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-07

PRESIDENT Pro TEN.
Mr. ATCHISON said that the Vice President be-
ing absent il became incumbent upon the Senate
10 choose President pro iempore He moved that
the Honorable WILLIAM r. KING a Senator from
the State of Alabama, be appointed President pro
fempors of the Senate; and the motion was uDani-
mously adopted.
Mr. KING was then escorted to the chair by
Messrs. ATcHisoN and MANoua.- Upon taking the
chair,
Mr.. KING said feel highly honored by the APP
probation Of the Senate placing me in the high and
responsible position which il has assigned me.
can only say, gentlemen, that ! shall endeavor,
during the short period may occupy this seat TO
discharge the duties incumbent upon the Chair
with faithfulness and impartiality. Every Senator
well knows that the high character OF this body Tor
order decorum, courtesy and gentlemanly deport
ment, has given il reputation in the land that
commands the confidence and respect OF every Por-
ton of the country throughout our widest border
To retain that confidence, still to command that
respect, it is necessary that every Senator should
sustain the Chair in endeavorlng to put down the
least movement of disorder, or the slightest indul-
gence in personality. While preside shall en-
deavor as far as possible TO repress any thing Of
the kind, and rely upon my brother Senators To
sustain me in the discharge OF these important du-
ties.
Mr. ATCHISON moved, and it was
Ordered That the Secretary of the Senate in
form the President of the United States of the cleo
ton of the Hon. w. r. King as President pro tenn
OF the Senate, and also that he inform the House Of
Representatives of the same.
SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
Mr.. BUTLER said that the Hon. FRASKLIN II.
GILMORE, appointed Senator from the State of
South Carolina TO fill the vacancy occasuned by the
death Of the Hon. John G. Calhoun, was present,
and desired to qualify.
Mr.. GILMORE then took the usual oath, and was
assigned seat
Private petitions presented by Messrs. Dor
GLASS, BoRLAsp, CAss, BRADBURY, DoDGE of Iowa,
and BALDWIN
Several reports from committees private bills
were made and ordered to be printed
Mr.. BORLAND, from the Committee ON Printing,
reported in favor OF printing five thousand copies Of
the report made by Messrs. Persifer F. Smith and
DR.. Tyson, upon the geology and topography Of
California; and after debate, the report was con
Cured in.
PATENT OFFICE REPORT.
Mr.. BORLAND, from the Committee on Print
ing, reported in favor of printing thirty thousand
extra copies of the part of the Patent Office report
containing the agricultural statistics.
Mr.. YULEE said that he did not expect that he
could prevent the adoption of this report He only
desired to call the attention of the Senate to the
vast amount OF public printing already ordered by
Congress The public printing already ordered by
Congress would make average issue of ten thou
sand volumes per week from this time to the meet
ing of the next session of Congress. That is, a
weekly supply of ten thousand volumes from this
time TO the meeting of the next session will not
more than embrace the printing already ordered
by both houses of Congress- Estimating the cost
Of these volumes at five dollars each, and he thought
that sum not too high estimate, the weekly
sum TO be paid for public printing would amount
to $4,000. 1t was now proposed to print 80, 900
copies of document of which the House had al
ready ordered 900 copies to be printed. He
thought that this matter should be well considered.
MIR. BORLAND said the Senator was probably
correct in his estimate of the amount Of public
printing ordered to be done by Congress, but the
Senator was in error in supposing that the of
this report would be any thing like five dollars a
volume.
Mr.. TURNEY advocated the printing of this
portion Of the report of the Commissioner of Pa
tents. twas the Agricultural part, and was looked
for with great interest by the people.
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi, asked whether the
Committee on Printing had examined into the re-
port, and could speak ofits contentss
Mr.. BORLAND said the committee had exam
ined the report only very slightly II was a very
large document, and they could not be supposed to
have read il through. They had recommended the
printing Of thirty thousand, in consideration of the
very great interest felt in, and the great desire
throughout the country TO have copy Of this por-
ton OF the report.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, said that from the
information he had received respected this report
il Of the most visionary aud speculative
character. He believed that any document bound
and containing plates printed by Congress would
be sought after with much avdity as this Patent
Office report.
Mr.. BUTLER said that this annual agricultural
report of the Commissioner Of Patents was the most
popular document which was printed. He was op-
posed 90 printing them. He thought that Congress
had right 10 endorse and send out as an official
document statistics upon agriculture prepared and
furnished by man who knew nothing Of agricul-
ture. He thought much harm might be done by
this course II il was intended 20 circulate them
generally, then thirty thousand was not suffi-
Gent number; Il placed members in a position
where they could not distribute them TO all their
constituents. Last year he had lost all Of his and
thus saved the trouble Of distributing them al
al A ma Of the.e
tributed at all The very worthy man with whom
he lodged in this city, baker, had a supply Of
them on hand, and actually sends out his bread
wrapped up in the Patent Office Report
Mr.. RUSK advocated the printing Of the docu.
ment.
Mr.. BADGER said that he was in favor of print.
ing this document. II reform was 10 be commenced
in the printing line, he thought it should be com
menced in the printing of the large numbers Of DO
litical documents. This report was generally
sought after by those who were not politicians but
who were plain farmers, and who looked for THU
document every year with considerable anxiety.
Mr.. DAWSON opposed the printing Of this doc.
ument, because the great end proposed-to give
agricultural information-was not attained by IL.
Ia former report on the agriculture Of the coun-
try only part " his State alluded To- and that
only upon the single article Of peas. lie would be
in fayoe VI agricultural bureau where some
practical Information could be prepared and fur
nished 10 the country. The annual expense OF
printing this document would support and main.
an AGRICULTURAL Dufcdus
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, moved 10 strike out
all that portion Of the motion reported by the com
mittee directing the printing Of thirty thousand
extra copies. leaving the usual number only TO be
printed.
Mr.. BERRlEN said that he differed from his col
league on this point. He knew no document which
the farmers Of Georgia anIiOusly desired TO re.
ceive as this agricultural report Of the Commits
sioner Of Patents. And they desired IL, too, MOI
because Of the binding the plates it contained
but ON account Of the merits Of the information
therein contained.
Mr.: DAVIS, Of Mississippi, replied, and Mr.
BERRIEN rejoined.
Mr.. FOOTE said that he had usually voted for
printing these reports Of the Commissioner Of Pat
ents, but he did not feel at liberty 10 vote, a.
present advised for printing this one. He held ia
his hand the first part Of the report Of the Commits
soner land he supposed il was a sample Of par
two, and the remaining portions Of the report) o
Patenvthst part Of his report devoted 10 hanis
arei and he was compelled 10 say il was IN,
most ridiculous production that ever appeared be
fore the public. He knew any production
more calculated 70 excite disgust by reading it, Of
one which would cause every true spirited Amer
can 10 hang his bead with shame The title pag,
was enough 10 disgust any one who would read 4
He would readit (Mr. FooTr read the title page
the last words Of which were . with an introduc.