The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-30

. not TO be sanctioned by when made il is contract
of the government.
Now. SIR the senator says this census-the returns OF
his census--ought TO be published because they are
needed that was the gentlenan's reply when
him 10 assign his Ii then appears that what we
are now considering is mere question OF time. Every
body admits that these returns ought be printed
but desire to know whence arises the necessity Of hay
ing them published Immediately What public injury
will be sustained by delaying the publishing OF them one
week Why. sir surely il is impossible 10 assign any
reason why we shall be IN such hot haste TO have these
census returns published They ought be published
in reasonable time but they ought to be published in
such manner 10 do justice TO the country ID should
be duly considered and every pecauton should be
to have them published with some reasonable care and
that there shall be unnecessary expenditure made in
their publication And particularly. my friend says In
passing Join. resolution for publishing the
turns. shall transform the head oil the Census Bureau
into hlslrogapher and bographer Of the United States
and all the States and counties thereof Tor presume
this notice must include particular Information with regard
10 the first families of the principal counties in that part
OF the United States where they harper 10 be SO fortunate
as 10 have first families.
Now. sir, think have right TO obtain some in
formation about this matter, and il must be done when
we have sufficient time TO look into the subject And
now Mr.. President ask you il such thing as refusing
TO postpone SO Important subject The before
has been known since you have served the Senate
Certainly there has been since have had the honor
of occupying seat upon this floor Sir, this is matter
OF vast imporlance--nvolvng expenditure OF half
hatoo much. sir, TO be hurried through this body
during the Christmas hoydays Such thing has never
been known since have been in the Senate.
And again. SIR here is the senator from Come
Mr.. SMITH,l who says he wishes TO be heard on the
subject OF this resolution, and explains the reasons why
he does not wish to remark at length upon the pres
ent occasion. He wishes TO be heard by full Senate
not by body that consists OF very lllle than
constitutional quornm-and asks the indulgence of hay.
ing il postponed until The next day when the Senate shall
meet Now ask you. in your experience in this BODY
il such request as this was ever denied TO any senator
Mr. President, this is important resolution besides
the amount OF public money TO be expended for the pub
catiOn OF the census returns trust that not the pri
mary consideration. II this work is to be pub
lished | wish it to be published well and wish
those who are to publish il to be well paid for it
But TINS resolution involves principle which we
will ultimately subvert the system which has formerly
been adhered TO- As far as the system of printing is
ceIned think agree with the senator from Indiana.
lMr. BnIGHTl entirely; opposed to the contract
system have been ready Tor year to vote for joint
resolution establishing law TO abolish it, Our expert
ence in this body and in the other House. has shown tina,
under the contract system we get documents pub.
lished on bad paper the printing and the bind
ing is still worse. Sir am tired and sick OF it, The
publications are dsgracefu 10 this body Probably most
OF them lin the course Of few years The ink will de-
sOy the miserable substitute Tor paper upon which il is
placed will become absolutely iegble My mind is
made np upon that subject. concur with the sena,or)
MIR. BRIGHT wish the Senate, when this resolution
comes up, would attend 10 the subject and should be
glad 10 see JOINT resolution passed for repeating the law
under which the contract system exists II the honor
able senator from Indiana Mr. BRIGHr will consider
for moment, think he will be fully convinced that this
subject ought 10 be considered in the presence of full
Senate am not at all opposed to pass resolution d.
rectDg contract TO be made for printing the
turns wish TO have II made by competent pei and
wish them to be well paid for IT, have no sympathy
for the wreched policy OF inducing bid off these
contracts at runous rates. for the sake OF saving the gov
eminent little expense, and thus enailins upon
selves the shame and disgrace of ordering such badly.
executed documents. | think it better to engage
competent persons, give them ample time perform their
and then compensate them with fair and honest
equivalent AT the same time, | would suggest TO
the Senate that this resolution ought not TO be pressed
upon at this time. Ii there other rea.
for according the usages of this body the single
suggestion made by the honorable senator from Con-
neccu Mr. ShTH that he wished to be heard, and the
reasons assigned Tor not giving his views when he
prepared 10 be heard. ought 10 induce defer
i 10 another day There reasons why it should
be published soon; and If should postpone the
matter ten days, apprehend il would prove no very
serious derment to us or TO the county,
Mr. GWlN Mr.. President, the senator from North
Carolina Mr. BADeERl speaks of hot haste in this matter
Why, is 1t mol known 10 every member OF the Sen
ate that this subject brought forward for consdera
ton nearly year agoi Is il not known that this ques.
lion pressed upon then, and should have been
acted upon And has il not been before us nearly from
the commencement Of this session OF Congress do
not think any hot haste has been exhibited upon this
al all The question presents itself whether or
not we shall take up this resolution and act upon IL
The object have IN view is 10 progress the business OF
The Senate. am not anxious TO press vote now, the
Senate being thin; but wish the resolution brought up
now. and 10 be considered until il is disposed Of do
not wish 10 be postponed 10 specific day. but TO come
up regularly the unfinished business until il is dis
posed OF. and then can progress with other matters
MIR, BADGER. | think the senator did not hear what
was said by the senator from Connecticut Mr. SMITH
lie SAID that in consequence OF cold he should be
BILE 10 address the Senate to-day and therefore
Mr.. GWlN No, sir did not hear that All have
10 say is that want this 10 be the business before the
Senate when meet again.
Mr.. BADGER Move an adjournment
Mr.. GWlN Very well, SIR | that the Senate
ad joun
Mr.. PRATT II the senator will withdraw that mo-
ton a moment
Mr. GWIN withdrew The motion.
Mr. BRIGHT. | certainly did not understand The hon
orabe senator from Connecticut 10 say that he wished
ibis posiponeHent because he unable address the
Senate II | had so understood him. should not have
pressed the matter a moment
Mr.. BADGER | have ascerlained from the senator
with regard 10 his being boarse II the from
mir UNDERWOOD Laughter
Mr.. BRIGHT Certainly, SIR, ! not disposed TO
press this matter upon thin Senate do desire this
proposition TO pass unless II has merit in it-unless it
ought TO pass introduced AT early day OF the
should be entered upon at once II IS very vouminous
work, know, and will require large expenditure of
money but so large has been named by the sena
Tor from Maryland, Mr. PRArT,l the senator from
North Carolina, Mr.. MAsouMl The printing Of the last
amounted TO less than $500 900 and feel author
zed to say, from inquiries | have made, that this will
amount 10 less than $500 900.
The senator from Maryland Mr. PRATTl inquiries
what II is we are TO have printed. He thinks that the
gentleman who has charge OF this subject ought TO lay
upon tables sample OF the forms which 10 be
used in this work And underst him 10 say that
there is great deal Of historical matter connected with
the results Of the labor of the Census Bureau The an
swer 10 his inquiry 10 be found in the law of the last
session OF Congress We there authorized to print
an enumeration OF the inhabitants OF the United States
a W oil Inv thc