The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-13
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5.

oil the mechanlcal portion OF the Patent Office
report for the use of the House, and 1000 for
the Commissioner, having come up
Mr.. Clingman moved that the report be re-
committed to the Printing Committee, with in
structions to report to the House what printing
had not been executed by the Public Printer,
and whether any others had been employed,
together with the prices that had been agreed
upon; and that in future it be executed by the
lowest responsible bidder, after ten days no
tice
Mr. Stewart of Michigan, objected TO the
resolution as being out of order
Mr.. Cartier, of Ohio, contended that the
House ought to know what the Committee on
Printing were about and whether they are
transcending the authority with which they
are invested. 1t was bis desire. he said, not to
pass any reelection upon the committee, unless
they should be found to merit it,
MIR. Evans, of Maryland, moved to lay the
appeal on the table.
The Speaker explained the grounds upon
which ne decided that the resolution was in
order.
The yeas and nays having been taken on Mr.
Evans's motion, it was carried-yeas 1872, nays
"A.
Mr.. Bayly, Of Virginia, moved TO insert the
words "Senate and House Of Representatives y
in the resolution.
Mr.. Bayly said his object in proposing the
amendment was to ascertain the number of
higher law members in the House By the law
of 1916, he said, the Public Printing was SUBJ
mitted TO a joint committee of both Houses
but during the present session there had been
an endeayor to control the law
Mr.. Evans, of Maryland, stated that the
Public Printing had occupied the attention of
the House since the twenty ninth Congress
There had been, he said, determined attempt
by combinations in this city to break down the
contract system. The Senate, he understood,
had given the printing of $4,000 copies of the
Patent Office report to the Republic, and now
it is proposed to give that of the House to Don
eson 4 Armstrong This, he said, is the whole
secret of the debate.
He was in favor either of adhering TO the
contract system, or the establishment of ma
tional printing Office, and quoted the mode
adopted by the powers of Europe, by which the
Public Printing is faithfully executed He in
sisted that all the difficulty which exists is
caused by the House itself and that when
other contractors had violated their contract,
the same course had not been pursued as it is
proposed to adopt towards Boyd Hamilton.
After protracted discussion, the House ad-
journed.
THURSDAY, MAY6.
The Speaker having decided that the motion
made by Mr. Bayly, Of Virginia amending Mr.
Clngman's resolution, 80 a. TO render it Joint
resolution, was out of order and the previous
question having been seconded, the main ques-
ton on the passage of the resolution WAS car
ried-yeas IS, the nays not being taken
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole, and took up the Homestead bill
The first section having been read, it was
moved to strike out that portion which required
that the person entitled to receive free grant
of land "should not be worth five hundred
dollars
An amendment limiting the gratuitous grant
ing of land to native born citizens, and those
who had become citizens prior to January, 1852,
was disagreed to-
IL was then agreed to strike out that part of
the first section which required that the appli.
cant "shal not be the owner Of any landb
Mr.. Brown, of Mississippi, inquired of the
Chairman if it would be in order to move as
an amendment the bill which he proposed as
a substitute.
The Chairman decided that il would not be
in order until other amendments were dis
posed Of
Mr. Clingman, of North Carolina moved to
amend the first section by providing that every
citizen of the United States, except members of
the present Congress shall be entitled to one
hundred and sixty acres Of land, to be located
in the same manner rs under the bounty land
warrants. He confessed that he did not like
the bill but If it was to pass he wished TO make
it M efficient az possible. Under this provision,
be said actual settlers would be entitled to
their land without waiting five years while
those who wished TO remain at home might sell
the land, or keep it for their children. The
was negatived.
MIR. Sackett, Of New York, moved an amend
ment, authorizing the free grant Of lands to
every citizen Of the United States who has at
tanned the age of twenty-one years, which was
also negatived
MIR. Clark, of Iowa moved to fix the price Of
land at fifty cents per acre He considered
the bill as species of class legislation, which
is unconstitutional
Mr.. Chandler of Pennsylvania, replied to
the arguments just advanced, and thought
while lands were granted 10 railroad compa-
MES and large corporations, that actual settlers
should be placed on the same footing
Mr.. Molony, Of Illinois, regretted that any
w estern member should express himself against
the bill, which he viewed not only a. nation
al but az Western measure
The Committee then rose and reported.
Mr. German called the attention Of the
House 10 the resolution by which the public
printingis to be let out to the lowest bidder
by which delay would be occasioned, but with |
which it was his intention to comply.
FRIDAY, MAY 7.
Mr.. Stanton, of Kentucky, from the Joint |
Committee on Printing submitted a report, |
upon the passage of the resolution |
of the House on yesterday; which, after refer |
ring TO the tenders of Towers and John C. |
Ryes went on 10 enumerate the particulars in |
hjch the present contractor, Boyd Hamilton,
bad failed ia the performance Of his contract
and stated that he had notified the Committee
Of his inability TO do 80. In this emergency,
the committee had proceeded, in conformity
with the law Of 1916, 10 have the printing per-
formed by other persons, the terms OF which
were annexed TO the report which concluded
with q declaration, that as the duties OF the
committee were defined by the law referred
TO- they cannot he contracted by the instruc-
lions Of the House conflicting herewith
MIR. Brown, of Mississippi, gave notice OF an
amendment that he should move, TO the effect
that the House Of Representatives has a right
10 direct is Committee on Printing as TO the
manner in which ii shall discharge its duty,
and that they should perform such duty in the
manner appointed by the House.
Ii was agreed thai the subject should be de-
erred till Wednesday.
The House resolved itself into Committee
Il the Whole ON the private calendar, and dis.
,osed Of such bills a. we're not objected 10, and
= hich 1T cnurs~ alieitad M debate.
The House having resumed, motion was
made that when il adjourn, il adjourn over TIL
Monday, but there was no quorum voting