The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-11

Mr HUE Elk Perhaps the senator would like TO see
the letter from the General Land olce will send
Mr. UNDERWOOD; Well sir. will look at the let
ter, and read IL 10 the Senate probably cali Tor ,nfor
nation The gentleman OF the Finance Committee SAYS
that II will make no difference have not looked into
the treaty and, whether the money properly or i'm
properly paid, you have, by passing bill organizing the
Indian department. placed things in such condition that
now you are bound to pay ysur own clerks. You can
not BY that organizing bill, take this money pay the
clerks. Then the honorable member of the Indian Com
mee says we passed that bill without anybody's know
ing anything about it. This is really an extraordinary
state Of things go TO the counry. that egs
atng in this way without knowing any thing OF the ef
feet of this legislation Really am willing TO Join the
senator from Tennessee, Mr.. BELL] and suspend the
delsood, especially If the Committes on Indian
Affairs, or prominent member OF it, did not understand
It's provisions at the time il was passed We have 10 de-
pend very much upon the opinion OF the committees who
examine these SUBJECTS in action in this body Now,
sir, this state OF things which struck little
Z s sx;ss 81 M
cur II we have improperly taken an Indian fund.- nobody
now can tell us. Whether is thousands hundreds Of
thousands OF dollars nobody tell us.
Sir, there is defect and allow me, if you please,
Tor the beneh OF the country to mention 1t here When
was member Of the House of Representatives
believe a rule to this day-it a duty OF The
miltees OF that body report the appropriation bills
within thirty days OF the close OF the session; and
these appropriation bills had precedence and priority
the most important measures which come before
Congressneasures mach more deeply, perhaps, affect
ms our constituents than any other measures, because
to see how it is disposed Of But under the rules OF
this sort, which unfortunately. not to have been
acted upon here we have appropriation bills, civil and
diplomatic bills reported this morning, within two
three days OF the end OF the session and Just
| as bill is reported we are called upon 10 act upon
| amendment after amendment, before they
printed. We know nothing about it, We have no time
to consider. time to commune with each other, and
| no time TO find out anything and in this way are
to dispose OF hundreds of thousands if millions of
dollars OF the peoples money Sir, hope that these
marks may go to The country, and that those whose
business il is to give us the appropriation bills at
earlier period OF the session may hereafter do
Mr.. HUNTER ! want to know whether he imputes
any blame 70 the Committee on Finance.
over the way excused himself This bill has but just
been reported here by the Clerk of the House
Mr.. HUNTER. Day before yesterday. ....
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. | know that | do not blame
the members of committee. But are to enter into
Investigations Of this upon spur of the moment,
as is manifest by this amendment-Robody having time TO
examine into lt-nobody having time to if the money
has been properly or improperly taken from that fund-no
having time to look into the subject; but it is 10 be
passed said by the senator from Tennessee, MIR.
BELL,] without a proper deliberation and without a
proper understanding OF the matter. And here
in this extraordinary condition. Why, what is to be
done in such condition, ! confess do not know 1
leave TO wiser heads than mine say what ought to be
done-to say whether should vote Tor this amendment
or against il Really do not what ought TO be
done.
! Mr.. GWIN agree with the senator from Kentucky
tina, merely registering the edicts of two commit
tees in Congress-thai of the Committee of Ways and
Means in the House, and the Committee Finance in
the Senate-and that member of the Senate OF the
House, OF these two committees has an opportunity
of examining these bills and the members from the new
States never know what done for their States, and
cannot know until the matter forced upon them. and
then forced to act upon amendments without their
being printed Here is most extraordinary state of
affairs. and want II 10 go to the country want the
country to know that Congress does not deliberate upon
these bills appropriang forty fifty millions of dollars
that is all done by their committees, and nothing said
most meritorious claim. know the officer to be Of
the most faithful IN the coualry and does not touch the
treaty alluded TO by the senator from Kentucky at all
The provision merely provides that for that he
has rendered. and rendering he shall receive the
compensation asked to be allowed him Whether he was
Tlghuly or wronguly paid before is not the question.
This is now merely stating that he shall receive the
same compensation from the treasury that he has received
before. This is of the merorious claims tha,
know of. have examined into it thoroughly and |
hope that the general question brought up by the
from Kentucky will not be detrimental to this amend.
ment
The question being taken upon the amendment, it was
/ Mr. HUNTER | have another amendment from the
Committee on Finance which relates to the matter,
as follows
For salary clerk in ths Office of the Secretary OF
the Treasury heretofore paid out OF the Indian fund from
thereof may be necessary at the rate OF $1,000
and is according TO the estimate OF the Secretary OF the
! Treasury. .....
The question being taken on the amendment, 1t was
adopted.
Mir II. have another amendment from the Commit
tee on Finance, as follows:
"For house in Oregon, $1,000 provided that
the whole cost OF the site and budng shall exceed the
sum herein appropriated
That is an estimate from the Treasury Department
The question being taken upon the amendment, II was
adopted:
Mr. H. from the same committee, reported the follow.
ing amendment, stating that IL in conformity with
estimate OF the Secretary OF thelnterior;
Eay the nj publ RuIlI lIipus
$500"
The question being taken upon the amendment, upon a
dvision-ayes 49, noes not declared-no quorum voted
Mr.. PEARCE beg leave to say a single word in e.
laon TO the necessity OF this clerk The Commssio
Of Public Buildings in former years allowed a
clerk but some seven eight years ago the allowance
for clerk discontinued rather think from reasons
personal TO the then Commissioner OF Public Buildings
Now we have a Commissioned who is compelled, in the
execution OF his duty, to employ clerks and it is fact
which am warranted in stating to the Senate, that in
making compensation to his clerks who perform services
which must be rendered in his office, his compensa
ton, which by law 900 year. is actually cut down
TO 81 900 IL is believed that the public business, TO be
properly conducted requires these clerks and would be
very unfair and unjust TO the Commissioner to require
him TO pay out OF his pocket for their services He
is very excellent Commissioner, and at the present
time, am sorry say that he is disqualified by sickness
from attending to his duties, and obliged TO employ ad
dtonal force at his expense Now, II seems to
to be entirely proper that he should pay out of his
own pocket for services which performed for the
public good
| Mr WHITCOMB | would inquire whether this
amendment looking the decision made by the Chair no,
long since, is in order Here is a new othcer would
not about raising point of order il not that
take issue with my friend from MARYLAND fNr Parcel
as TO the merits Of the officer He the last otf