The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-12
hoard OF Aooorsrs.

The SPEAKER announced the question to be OF
agreeing to the amendment reported from the Com
| mittee of the Whole on the state Of tho Union
and on which the previous question had been de-
| manded.
Mr.. INGE remarked that, some time since, the
House set apart day for the confederation OF busi
meas relating to the District of Columbia.
The SPEAKER said that to- day had been set
apart for the purpose mentioned by the gentleman
The Board Of Accounts bill, however, being spe-
cial order, took precedence. When this shall be
disposed Of the District business would be IN order
Mr. INGE observed that, if the previous question
| should be sustained, the Board Of Accounts bill
| would occupy but short time OF the House. II
not he should move to postpone the sPeciai order
| until tomorrow.
The demand for the previous question was then
seconded and the main question ordered to be put
on agreeing the substitute or amendment Of the
| Committee of the Whole on the state OF the
Mr.. ASHMUN inquired whether, if the House
should disagree TO the amendment, the bill would
stand as il WAS originally sent to the committee.
The SPEAKER replied that all the amendments
Of the Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union were lost and that substitute for the bill
had been reported. The first question was on
agreeing to the substitute, and then on the original
bill. Two amendments had been reported. The
committee struck out the first section of the bill
and insertcd substitute offered by the gentle
man from North Carolina, Mr.. DAsIEL.) The
second amendment was to strike out the remaining
portion of the bill, to make it conform to the first
amendment. There would be no improperly in
taking the question on both of the amendments at
once; and, if there objection, this course
would be pursued. The question was really be-
tween the original bill and the amendment Of the
gentleman from North Carolina, reported from the
committee.
The substitute provided that whenever any citi-
zen citizens of the United States feel aggrieved
by the decsion OF the proper accounting officers OF
the Treasury Department, upon any pecunary
claim or demand against the United States, it
shall be lawful for such citizen citizens to file his,
her. their petition in the district circuit court
Of the United States from the State, Territory,
District Of Columbia, wherein the claim or demand
arose. stating with brevity and certainty the mate
rial facts on which the came depends, dates and
places, making the attorney Of the United States in
such court q party defendant thereto, and praying
such relief he, she, they may thinkthemselves
entitled to- which petition shall be filed with the
clerk Of the court, who shall endorse thereon the
day Of its delivery, and Issue copy thereof to the
said attorney of the United States to be served upon
him process ia served in similar cases, by sum-
mons only Provided, That the petitioner or petit
TONERS, before fling petition aforesaid, shall
give bond and sufficient surety to the clerk for the
cost which may accrue in the prosecution Of the
claim and II shall be the duty OF the court to award
in which the petition shall not be sustained unless
upon the principles and rules OF court Of equity
the costs should be otherwise awarded those rules
and principles may seem to require; but If any cit
iEen. who is DESTROYS Of fling petition aforesaid
10 unable 10 give security and will make affidavit
before the clerk OF that fact, and that he isnot worth
more than ten dollars, his wearing apparel and
tools Of trade excepted, he may file his petition with
out security.
The remaining sections prescribe the mode Of
procedure, rs in equity. Permits appeals to the
Supreme Court Of the United States. The amount
OF jud gment, when against the United States not
exceeding five hundred dollars shall be paid out OF
the treasury; and greater amount than this shall
be reported to Congress by the Secretary Of the
Treasury, &c. This act to remain in force for four
years, and no longer.
The question being taken on agreeing to the
above substitute, il was decided in the negative
yeas So. nays 100.
ginal bin to a third reading, when
Mr. VAN DYKE moved TO lay il upon the table
This was decided In the negatye-ycas 95, NAYS 49,
The bill was then ordered to a third reading. II
counts TO consist Of three commissioners to be ap
pointed by the President, by and with the advice
and consent Of the senate Each commissioner to
receive salary of four thousa nd dollars ner num-
10 hold office for the period of six years and shall
be removable by the President. The fret three
commissioners to be appointed the one for two, the
second for four and the third for six years; after
which all appointments shall be made for twelve
stoned by death or resignation. The commission
ere may be re-eligible II shall be the duty of the
Board 70 hear and determine all cases pending in
any department which NAV have arisen out of ony
law OF positive regulation which may be referred
to such Board by the head Of such department, and
all which may be referred by Congress to the
determination Of said Board and their decision
upon all such shall be final and conclusive. II
shall Ice the duty OF the Board to examine quarterly
the public accounts in the several Executive De.
partncnts OF the Government and in the Patent
Office aud make report as to the condition of those
accounts, or Of any errors which may have been
detected, either TO tho statement OF amounts, or
the method in which they arc kept These reports
shall be made annually to Congress, and quarterly
10 the President OF the United Statcs. Any claim
ant officer or agent who shall make claim founded
upon any law Of Congress, or upon any regulation
Of an Executive Department, or Of the Commits
sioncr Of Patents, or upon any contract expressed
or implied, with the Government of the United
Sistes, and suggest by bill in the nature of bill in
equity, that he claim cannot be brought within the
strict provisions of law but s good in equity shall
be heard by such Board
An attorney for the United States, to represent
the Government before the Hoard 10 he anno;nted
by the President by and with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate at n salary of three thousand
dollars per annum.
Authority IA conferred on the Board TO appoint
commissioners 10 take testimony: any person
~es rim m falsely TO be punished for neriurv