The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-04

II TO the reports thus submitted 10 the Senate and
house we add the reports made to both at the last
son. have lees than twenty reports, (snce the
date already mentisned) all concurring in the same
news and arriving at the same result Many of these
are exceedingly full and elaborate and some are dsta
gusbed by great learning and ability That of Edward
Livingston presented TO the Senate the 22d febu-
ary 1890, list session 2lst Congress- and may be refer
red TO as conclusive on The question before No man,
either statesman pubcIst, lawy eI could be
competent TO form opinion this interesting subject
than Mr. Livingston and perusa OF his report by hon
orabe memeers would render all further argument super
huous. This wonderful unanimlty OF so many commit
ees-composed in several instances OF ofhe ables
men who have occupied seats the two houses of
Congess-should 1T is believed have great weight with
The suggestion contained in the minority report of the
last session, that the cnlorm concurrence OF committees
for 10 long period is not entitled TO much consideration
on account OF The parliamentary rule OF courtesy
founded. The honorable senator Mr. HUSTEEl in tha,
report says 1T parliamentary rule TO refer subject
tos committee that fayorableo it; and II is too much
10 asK mat the Claimants should have only the benefit
of Tins rule, but also acquire from this very ndu gence
presumption IN favor oi their demands II this parliament
ay rule be preserved, and the reports OF commuters
constituted are to be coasdered presumption Of title on
the part OF claimants they certainly succeed if they
VIII only persevefe long enough Under this ysem the
oosr me Claims The stronger would be the presumption
IN their favor"
Thus IA certainly compendious way OF getting rid OF
the authority OF such names as Livingston, Holmes,
Chambers, Wilkins, Webster, Choa,e, and Morehead
NO such rule OF courtesy has BEEN for long time
observed in the houses of Congress The oblee, OF
the Senate 10 organizing its committees whether standing
OF select - TO insnre tu FAIR, and impartial invesga
uon OF all sublects OF legislation, and particularly of pr
vaie elaine Who ever before dccried the we'll consid
cred opinions ot committees of this body this practice
OF courtesy Are the opinions Of such a as Edward
Livingston 10 be sei aside any such groundsl Be-
ndes In the House. the subject has since the first
OF the nineteenth Congress. been uniformly referred
we appropriate standing commlttee-ths of Foreign
Anairs And II 10 little too much to claim now that
me mportant committee has been for the last quarter Of
acentuy uniformly organized with view 10 favor these
Claims hs true they have, in the Senate. been more
kaS referred TO select commitlees and il the senator
WIN nave II that such committees have been predsposed
IN hef iayor, has been because the Senate has
oeen long convinced that they should be allowed and
p anu 10 hai view, the appointment of every select
commee would involve the expression of an opinion by
'hs body favorable other validity
IN aod'uon 10 all this, we know that whenever the
houses have permitted themselves TO ACT on The subject
ney nave always declared in favor OF the equity and Jus
ongess) bill for the relief of the claimants passed the
oen&e ~ z vote OF twenty-five in the affirmative 10
twenty IN ihe negative. and was sent 10 the House. but
no' taken UP BY that body In 1884, (second ses-ion
-.ny eKnh SonGress) similar bill passed 10 third
eAnins IN the Senate by vote OF twenty yeas If
een nays but was not ultimately acted passed for
an' o' ums In 1886, lhrst session twenty ninth Con
s'ees) like bill passed the Senate by vote of twenty
yeas 70 twsnty-three nays aad, being sent TO the
nouse, passed that body at the session by OF
e'y-fouf yeas TO eigsy nays and sent TO
reasons: y
u The short time intervening between the passage OF
~, o'l ana the adjournment of Congress did not allow
nun 70 give the subject a sufficient examination
II was psssed near the close OF The session. when
many measures o Importance claimed the attention OF
congress, and might not have received that fil and
uehbefate consideration which the large II appropr
sed and the then existing condition o the treasury and
me country demanded" and therefore be deemed il 10
duty to return y to the Senate, where originated