Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FR1pAY. FEBRUARY 81. 1851.

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Mr.. McWILLlE, from the Committee on Printing, 4
whom had been recommed the resolution for the relief
Thomas Richie, assignee of William M. Belt, the contraco
for the public printing with instructions to inquite to tn
manner in which the public printing had been executed
having regard the quality Of the work and time,
whether it had been performed agreeaby to contract,
what Mr. Richie has lost by the contract made repor
thereon in which the committee say that they satisfied
that the paper made Of for the regular numbers Of docu
mens better than required by the contract and inferior
the extra numbers, making average OF the quality
paper required They state that the apparent delay the
result of the great quantity Of work ordered (beng larger
than that of previous Congress which the estimates were
bas and the time consumed in organizing the House.
delay the report states, rather apparent than real and
they give several instances to show wherein Mr. Richie has
lost large sums Of money.
After much controversy and the decision Of many motions
lay on the table, calls Of the House, &c. &C. the resou
ton passed-Yeas loo, nays l0l.
CANADA RECIPROCITY BILL.
Mr. DUER called up the motion made by him at the last
session Of Congress to reconsider the vote by which was re-
ierred to the Committee Of the Whole on the state Oh Inc
Union the bill TO admit certain articles OF the grown or pro-
ducon of Canada into the United States free OF duty upon
the condition that the like articles of the growth production
Of the United States admitted into Canada free OF duty
He stated the objects of the BILL and desired 1t to be now
taken up and disposed Of
MIR. McLANE Of MARYLAND, also spoke in favor Of the
BILL giving notice Of an amendment which be intended to
Offer should the motion to reconsider prevail.
On motion of Mr.. ASHMUN, the motion to reconsider
was laid on the table.
HOMESTEAD BILL.
Mr. JOHNSON Of ennessee, called up the motion made
by him some time since reconsider the vote BY which was
referred to the Committee Of the Whole the state of the
Union the bill to encourage agriculture, commerce, and all
other branches Of industry by granting to every man VINO Is
the head of family and citizen Of the United States,
homestead hundred and sixty acres OF land out OF the
public domain upon condition of occupancy and cultivation
Of the same for the period therein specified
Mr. j. made remarks, urging the adoption OF the mo-
ton to reconsider and stating that should be agreed TO- he
would move an amendment which would make the bill
unexceponabe He considered this Of the most inn
bills that bad been brought before the House, and
referred 10 the fact Of the House having refused lay the
table by majority Of ten votes as evidence that could be
Immediately disposed Of He moved the previous question
the motion to reconsider.
90 motion Of Mr. CONGER the motion to reconsider was
laid on the table Ayes 80, noes 81. e
EVENING SESSION.
Mr. BISSELL asked the unanimous consent Of the Houss
that the bill Of the Senate making appropriation Of lar
for the heas Of the insane in the different States might ts