The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-12

Sd OF the present month The contract does moi require
portion Of that conacti This not Congress al all
Our session at this lime has nothing TO do with the
sona al acton here lhe Thirty fri conxss. ended on
The Sd OF March. and the Thirty second Congress com
mences on The hrstof December next, Our proceedings
here Senate proceedings, and have nothing do
either with the Thirty FIRST or the Thirty second Con.
gress and The public printer of the late Congress has
very promptly and properly said that he should con
sIder himself Obliged 10 execute no printing under his
contract which might be ordered by This session.
Ia that think he clearly rights for he desires 10
consider the law decidedly in his favor and that all
| the printing ordered by this session is excluded
| The honorable senator from Maryland says we have
no authority 10 repeal joint resolution or act OF Con-
resolution attempts TO repeal no law. II IS merely an
order Tor the printing 10 be done for this extra session
II the law be he states, that all the printing shall be
done by contract and that notice must be given surely
the Secretary OF The Senate will have 10 comply with
that law and provide for the execution OF the work &C
cordngly THIS is simply an order by the Senate That
in this extra session certain printing shall be done.
and the resolution requires that the order shall be
executed by the Secretary of the Senate instead of the
Committee on Printing, as usual And the resolution
contains provso TO limit the price OF the work That
surely violates law We have right, if we order
and The Secretary in advertising proposals TO do it, would
have TO conhne The price within that limitation and II
the proposal Of the lowest bidder should exceed that lm,a
ton, he would have right TO accept it, all the propo
sails would have TO be within the limitation before they
could be considered by him. think, therefore, the OBJ
iectons taken by the senator from Maryland do not
|
Mr. PEARCE | think the reasoning of the senator
IRON Arkansas is subtle than sound. 1t true
this is Congress only branch of Congress
1t is true Congress is not in session but it is the
e IN M we p naud
the joint resolution conlempates the printing for both
houses OF Congressman Tor both joint body, but for
both translated meaning each house OF Congress and
can no reason at all WHY the printing ordered al
the special session is not equally printing ordered for one
OF both houses OF Congress, as much so as II II were
| nr "a no Cnpur
houses assembled think, therefore, il does come
within the rule, and within the law intended to
provide that all the printing done for both houses OF Con-
gressthe well as the obershoud he done under
The contract system. think imperatively bound
TO have printing done in the manner prescribed
Besides let refresh the recollection OF senators
by referring to what done at extra session
two years ago Congress ordered the printing of 10000
copies of the decision of the Supreme Court do not
know that there was any stipulation 10 the price or
any provision 10 who should do il; but il went
matter OF to the parties who had contracted for the
printing OF that Congress and was charged for as was
alleged, according to the rates stipulated Ii is the
charge was not, IN my opinion, proper one and think
the contractors made mistake and lnerpolaed words IN
that contract which not there But they held Con-
gress to The stipulated prices of that contract though the
printing OF that report did under the clause
which supposed would come, but under different
clause, where they ntepoated the words 'per page in
the contract, and charged accordingly makes no diff.
ference, however whether that right wrong. |
mention the fact only showing that at that time
supposed tina, the printing ordered by Congress
Ira session was pruning 10 be &C
coding the prices stipulated for the Contract which
| had Just been made; and there be defence,
hepre,ence OF any defence for the enormous sum which
was paid 10 the conactorsbeing about thirty times
much could have been done for any office in the
United Staes-except that il according to the stipu
a' M coopER was M p sa ba The time
the Senate is be consumed by this debate. therefore
move TO lay the resolution, with the amendments, the
i table.
The question being taken on the motion to lay the sub
ject on the table, IT was agreed TO-
MILEAGE QUESTION.
! Mr.. UNDERWOOD. | move to 90 into executive
/ Mr. FOOTE ask the gentleman 10 Withdraw it 10
lei me submit another motion.
| Mr. UNDERWOOD What isitl
| Mr. FOOIE. | want to call up a matter which is not
personal 10 myself, but which relates another member
OF the Senate, involving the question of mileage IL will
occupy bui few moments. There report made upon
the question by the Committee the Judiciary and
presume there be action had at this session OF the
Senate upon the subJect indeed. | doubt exceedingly
whether II ought to be acted upon when the body
It's present condition IL aqueson of magnitude,
and Is OF exceeding interest at any rate 10 some gentle
men hope the report will be taken up for consldera
ton, with view 10 have printed. and then to postpone
the subject until the beginning OF the next session OF
Congress That is all the action desire to have the
qsesiion w.
The PRESIDENT What is the objec, of the senator
Mr. FO0TE 1t is simply TO have the report taken up
for present consideration. with a view OF printing IL
| The PRESIDENT. That will be done necessarily.
| Mr.. FOOTE. Very well then will not>make that
motion, but merely have it taken up with view to post
pone the further consideration of II until the beginning
| OF the next session.
Mr.. DAWSON. II goes over 10 the next session, OF
course.
Mr.. FOOTE. But it may be called up at any time,
and as am going away, wish tito be understood that
It IS not to be acted upon at present
Mr.. COOPER. With The permission OF the senator
from Mississippi, will state that believe it the i'm
preston OF the Judiciary Committee that consideration
oil the subject necessary They supposed that II
to be made merely for the benefit OF the President
10 ask opinion OF the Senate merely to enlighen the
judgment aud conscience of the President OF the Senate
and there design the part OF the committee to
call 1t NJ for action al all.
Mr. FOOrE II it can be understood that the subject
shall he postponed until the beginning OF the next
sion, | am perfectly satisfied.
TIE PRESIDENT The Chair is under the necessity
OF stating that his action this session will be governed
with his opinion
Mr.. FOOTE. | hope, under the circumstances, no
further action will take place.
The PRESIDENT. II lies upon the table, OF course
and no further action will be had
Mr. MANGUM As there is a diversity of opinion
upon this question in reference to the mileage OF the
stor from California, hope that whst is done in
atlon TO the subject will he done under protest against
the opinion OF the Presiding Officer and that ultimately
there will be full examination.
The PRESIDENT. There is necessity for pro-
test.
Mr. UNDERWOOD moved to 90 into executive ses.
sion which agreed to.
The Senate accordingly proceeded 10 the consideration
OF executive business after which the doors were
opened and
Ghe Senate adjourned
no o good Fruits and tn. admirers Of I'm.