The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-30
dress The Senate upon the resolution the resolution
H. tutl


..- DR. OWENS REPORT
The Senate proceeded 10 consider the following reso
luton submitted by Mr.. DoDcE, OF Iowa, on the 22d
instant: W
Owen. the geology Of iows Wisconsin, and Minnesota
Territory be printed IN quaro form, according TO the reso
the be delivered 10 the Commissioner OF the General
Land Office 200 copies Dr. Owen. and 800 copies 10 the
Smithsonian Institution Tor distribution
Mr. UNDERWOOD. That resolution was passed over
the other day al my instance and am so very hoase
that do moi know that speak upon The subject al
all to-day; but | wish to make one suggestion 10 my
friend the way perceive from the reading OF the
resolution that the printing IS 10 take place in the quarto
form The printing. according 10 The resolution under
which il is usually done, is 10 take place IN the octave
form Now, by departing from The usual mode Of doing
the printing, il | am correctly Informed, you leave the
printer at large to make his own charge without any
regulation from The past action OF Congress upon the
subject OF charges BY this change he is to do the work
without any restriction whatev er upon The price This
seems 10 be departure from the rule heretofore
established that there should Re rule regulate
the extent OF the charge But here you order the work
10 be done IN new mode, where there - nothing TO
govern the matter in The way OF compensation; and I'M
der circumstances of that sort you will probably have
bill OF two or three times the amount which Inc work
would Otherwise cost
Now, sir wish this matter to be referred to the Com
mittee Printing. According 10 my experience upon
subjects OF this Sort there will be great many sketches
and diagrams, and engravngs. recolec looking lit
tie into this subject year or two ago. and The amount
claimed for cngrayings for the Patent Office asonished
me. think the amount claimed for engravngs Tor the
faenl Omce report some Too,ooo ~ 1fo,ooo ioi
single volume To adopt a resolution OF this Sort chang
ing the form in which the printing Is 10 be DONE without
knowing anything about the number OF diagrams or
plates which may be necessary to PRINT to order II to
be done without knowing anything about the amount
which the work will cost therefore think it prudent
10 refer TO the Committee Printing, and to let them
make some investigation of the matter. am not able to
continue these remarks. and am sorry to have been
compelled to say what have. will move to refer the
resolution to the Committee on Printing
Mr.. DODGE, OF Iowa. | do not object 10 the refer
ence The number stated u precisely The number pub
shed IN the case OF Mr.. Whitney; and this document
ordered to be published at the last executive session
OF the Senatethe session commencing the 4th of March
astby resolution which offered a, that time But as
it is proposed to publish il in new form, and am
exceedingly anxious that II should be published in that
FORM and, further the gentleman has made OBJ.
lection to the resolutions hope il will 90 to the Commit
tee Oh Printing.
The resolution accordingly referred
ADJOURNMENT OVER.
Mr.. ATCHISON moved that when the Senate ad-
lourn. il be TO meet on Friday next.
The question being put, on division there ayes
~, noes not counled SO the motion was agreed 10.
The Joint resolution from the House of Representatives
authorizing inquiry into the Of the late fire
read The first and second times by unanimous consent
and referred to the Committee on Public Buildings.
The bill from the House making appropriations TO
meet the expenses incurred in consequence of the late
fire. was read the first and second times by unanimous
consent, and referred to The Committee on Finance
Mr.. CASS submitted amendment approprIatDg
s. for The purchase OF books; which referred
10 the same committee
SPECIAL ORDER DAY
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration of the
special order OF the daybeing The resolution submitted
by Mr. BRIGHT IN relation 10 printing the returns OF the
Mr.. SMITH This is a subject of very considerable
Importance which will involve Appropriation OF sew
eral hundred thousand dollars aud should be very sorry
TO have II brought under consideration and receive dis
position al our hands when the Senate as thin
al me present time have no disposition to throw any
obstacle IN the way oil the consideration OF this question
but desire TO take the opinion Of the Senate-of the
entire body-upon this sublect There is very little
more than quorum now present and II seems TO me
that ine senator from Indiana Mr. BRGHrl will. upon
reflection, agree with that It's consideration had better
be postponed until after the hoydays. AT early day
next week will be prepared TO submit TO the Senate
such suggestions as conceive be material the sub
lect move, therefore, that be postponed Monday
next; and will say to my honorable friend from Indiana
that viii then be prepared to take II up and dispose OF
Mr.. BRIGHT It will be recollec,ed that this Joint
resolution has been the standing order of this body for
The last len days refused to call II up at the proper
time, The honorable senator from Connecticut having al
legged that he would be ready upon the following day
with his amendment. There is really necessity that Il
should be promptly acted upon. part of the returns
provided Tor by this resolution are now ready Tor dev
cry and ought 10 be put into the hands of the printer
without delay. dislike 10 press IL II the senator OBJ
lects but see good for delaying the matter
The public contract for the printing OF this body does not
cover this class OF printing We have TO dispose OF to
other and different persons The Joint resolution pro-
vides that the Committee Printing shall contract with
the gentlemen named in the resolution for this printing
and those gentlemen prepared go right with the
work al fair prices. can myself objection 10 the
resolution and hope may be the pleasure of the Sen.
ate 10 take II up and act upon II.
Mr. SMITH | have already said TO the Senate that
we have very little more Than quorum hereonIy some
"a or IS senators and II is exceedingly doubtful whether
there will be quorum the hall il undertake 90
into the discussion oil this resolution have sug
gesuons 10 make TO the Senate opposition 10 this
proposition and hope TO be able 10 satisfy my honor.
able Trend from Indiana that there very OBJ
lections 10 the adoption Of this resolution But
willing TO address myself to only about half OF the
Senate. believe II Is very unusual, Mr. President TO
take up questions OF this importance involving the ex
pendnre o some three or four hundred thousand dollars
If not hall Million and call upon little over one. half
the Senate TO make disposition OF TIA final disposition
80 far as concerned ! wish TO cay nothing al
present regard 10 the character OF the resolution but
IT is proposition 10 what has been the policy OF
the two houses of Congress for the last five years
Some three Tour years ago determined that the
public printing should be divorced from the political
press in this city; and II proposed reesabsh
the connexoD that lormery existed between the public
printing and the political press IN this city II il shall be
The desire and purpose OF the Senate 10 reesabsh this
connexlon in the manner that Is poposed that be the
real judgment and opinion oil this body for one, shall
not complain, because have objection whatever to
this resolution. But wish the opinion OF the entire
Senate upon this subject and unwilling 10 be called
upon to address the Senate upon subject of much
importance when there Is barely quorum present II
therefore deem II TO be my duty TO persist this notion
and hope my honorable friend will acluiesce Ger
anly do not desire any delay upon this subject have
come here three or four mornings IN succession prepared
10 address the senate upon this queston-wIth not
great deal oil ammunition, however-and trust the gen
mai sutll ha