The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, Dec. Is, 1881.

The SPEAKER informed the House, that he had
appointed the Committee on Rules, Of which Mr..
JONES, of Tennessee, is chairman.
resolution was submitted by MIR. FLORENCE,
OF Pennsy vania, relative to the discharge of la
borers, who are employed on the capitol; but the
motion to suspend the rules being objected to- the
resolution was withdrawn
Mr.. RICHARDSON, of ILL.,, called the atten-
ton of the SPEAKER, to the regular order of BUSH
ness; who decided that the unfinished business of
yesterday be proceeded with, and the motion to
refer the resolution for the repayment OF monies
received in California before it became State of
the Union, to the Committee on Military Affairs,
was negatived-the ayes and nays being taken, by
vote Of | 10 in the negative to Is in the affirma
tive; and it was then referred to the Committee Of
Ways and Means.
The SPEAKER then called upon the members of
States and Territories for petitions and motions,
when several bills Of local nature, were read
and referred to committees.
Mr.. BURT, of South Carolina, stated that Mr.
DARBY, from the State of Missouri, who came to
Washington, for the purpose of attending to his
duty as member Of Congress. had been struck
down by paralysis; and moved resolution, that
his mileage be allowed him; which was unan-
mously agreed to.
Mr.. MOORE, OF La, presented resolution and
memorial from that State, calling upon its mem
bers to use their exertions to procure the adoption
of measures for the encouragement Of persons
who have obtained right of way from the Gulf
of Mexico ard the Pacific and that sum be APP
propriated for the survey OF the most desirable
route to be chosen.
Mr. FLORENCE, of Pa, presented petition
from the citizens Of that State, requesting that
law be passed for preventing the Introduction of
foreign convicts and paupers.
Mr.. EVANS, of Nd, stated that he was in
structed by the Committee on Military A fairs, to
fn. 49, Il, Csr.l
company, which was read first and second time ;
and with the memorial was ordered to be'prned,
and referred to the committee of the whole house.
Mr.. STANTON, ofKy., chairman of the Com
mittee on Public Buildings, submitted resolution,
authorizing the architect to continue the employ
ment Of workmen recently engaged on the capt.
tol, and who have been discharged owing to the
funds that had been voted, having been expended
The architect had stated that the hewing of stone
and laying of foundation, can progress during the
present season, and net be injured by the frost
and desires to be authorized to continue these
people, who will otherwise suffer but who are
willing to wait for their pay until funds shall be
appropriated.
In reply to question from Mr. CARTIER of
Ohio, Mr. STANTON said, he was not aware of the
amount of funds which had been expended and
as TO the lime that had been used at the capitol,
it was the best which could be procured in the vi
cinity of Washington.
Mr.. FlCkLlN, of Illinois, was opposed to the
resolution, because it made II obligatory upon the
superintendent to employ the workmen; who
would thus be compelled to yield to camor.
Mr.. VENABLE, of N. c., would not agree to
resolution which recognized the principle that
the government should furnish employment, and
if men run the risk of coming to Washington for
the purpose of obtaining it, they must take the
consequences of what was their own act If how.
ever, II could be shown, that they were suffering
from want, he might be induced to vote for the
resolution. He was, however, against assuming
that responsibility which belonged TO an agent of
the government, and would not step in between
him and his responsibility.
Mr.. HUNTER expressed his willingness TO
modify the resolution, to meet the objections
that had been urged against 1t and moved that il
be referred to a committee Of the whole House on
the state Of the Union.
The ayes and nays being called for, there were
SO in favor Of the motion, and IS agains, it.
Ii was then moved that the House 90 into com
mttee the state Of the Union but a motion
being carried to adjourn, the House q, three
0 clock.