The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-11

| This was agreed to-ayes 10. noes g.; but after
the amendment Of Mr. MCDONALD had been further
amended, It was disagreed to.
The question then required MIR. G oRMAs's
motion to strike out the first section of the bill.
Mr.. NELSON moved an amendment, which was
agreed 10, requiring the commissioners to take an
oath for the faithful and impartial discharge of the
duties Of their Office.
Mr.. BURT moved that tho committee rise but
the motion did not prevail.
MIR. WENTWORTH. Would it be in order to
move that the Committee sit this bill OUT
The CHAIRMAN II would not
MIR. ALLEN offered an amendment, "that no
member of the present Congress shall be appointed
to any office created by this act"
Mr.. WENTWORTH. object to that
Mr.. ALLEN BY the intimations around the
hall, his amendment was not understood. Itwas,
therefore, necessary to say word in explanation.
For year past he had seen in the newspapers re-
ports that a brother of some member of
| the present Congress has been appointed to Office
by the Executive. Now, from his amendment 1t
was not to- be inferred that any member of this
Congress has sought office for himself or relatives;
but yet the Executive, in his paternal of mem
bers and their families, had provided for large
portion Of the families Of members both sides Of
the House. The bill before the committee con-
tanned some high prizes, and tho President may
think that the prizes should not be given to the
younger members of the family, but reserved for
the older. He feared that the Executive, in the
kindness of his honest heart, might force some of
these Offices on members. to the scandal of mem
Mr.. MATTESON was understood to move an
amendment TO the amendment of the gentleman,
to the effect, -"unless he be a Silver Gray"
VOICE: " Amend it by saying, or woolly
head" [Laughtsr.]
MEMBERS. Question" question:" "give US
a vote on that
Mr.. MATTESON said that he would withdraw
Mr.. ASHMUN remarked, you can't Withdraw it,.
Mr. MATTESON. ! am informed that cannot
withdraw my amendment
SEVERAL VOICES: I" No, no; let's have q vote. I"
The CHAIRMAN. The Chair has not entertain
ed the proposition of the gentleman.
Mr.. EVANS, OF Maryland, sent to the clerks
table the Constitution OF the United States, from
which that officer read as follows:
"No Senator or Represent ative shall, during the
time for which he was elected, be appointed to any
civil office under the authority Of the United States
whereof shall have been increased, during such
time; and no person holding any Office under the
United States shall be member of either House
during his continuance in Office"
The question now REQUIRED on striking out the
first section of the BILL as moved by Mr.. GoRMAN,
and it was decided in the negative-ayes 10,
noes 10.
Mr.. DANIEL then moved to strike out the first
section OF the BILL and to insert the substitute here
toforc submitted by him, providing that whenever
any citizen citizens Of the United States feel ag
grieved by the decision Of the proper accounting
officers of the Treasury Department, upon any Pc
growing out of any lawful contract with the Gov
eminent under any law of the United States, it
shall be lawful for such citizen citizens to file his
or their petition in the district court of the United
States for the State, Territory, District of Co.
lumbia, wherein the claim or demand arose, stating
with brevity and certainty the material fncts on
which the same depends, dates, and places, making
the attorney of the United States in such court a
party defendant thereto, and praying such relief as
he, she, or they may think themselves entitled to-,
&c. The amendment proposed the suing OF the
United States by bill in equity.
The substitute was agreed to--aycs IS, noes 81.
On motion Of Mr.. DANIEL, the remaining sec
tions of the original bill were stricken out; when
The committee rose.
The question being stated on seconding the de-
mand for the previous question non agreeing to the
amendment
Mr.. THOMAS moved that t..e bill be laid on the
table. But the motion did not prcvail-yeas &c.,
nays 100.
ton
The House adjourned