The daily union., 1852-01-15
SAS4

have Ielt extremely embarrassed dtd not wish 10
say one word about this matter. But when ! am called
on vote without satisfactory information before me-
say that feel extremely embarrassed in giving my
yoe. | do not know what am 10 vote for do not
see the plan OF operations am able 10 comprehend
what ls TO be the size and magnlude oil me wotk;
there is anything in the suggestion which has been
thrown oul trust there is not am not prepared 10 pc
eve t-hat there is a purpose q making loo ol shs,
Twill be easy 10 swell out with historical mailer as 10
towns and countless and States 70 cary ,ns 700 70 any
page or by The en-, by rule which pays them according
10 the propoonae magnitude OF the work, there VIII be
an indictment swell Il out; and the greater the proht
the larger he book will be, under these circum-
staDces thiAk ii very clear that ought 10 under
stand at least something about the limits OF this work
something about the extent 10 which II is 10 run IN all
human probability, II have laid before us the sam
pile OF State which exhibits the method complete. then
we form pretty good opinion when that comes to be
run through the whole Union
Mr. COOPER think that il must strike everybody
that there is great wisdom in the suggestions made by
the senator from Arkansas Mr. BoRLASpl and by the sen
ator from Massachusetts, Mr. DAvIs.l We are yet in
the dark, and cannot know what are doing until we
have sample OF what is proposed 10 be done by the Su
perintenden o the Census understand from suggestions
which have been made that there is accompanying the
censusthat which is correctly speaking, the censusa
historical account not only OF the States but OF all me
counties, and perhaps of the towns in the States need
not tell you, need tell the Senate that this must
necessarily be very inaccurate and but very tte cacu
lated opromote knowledge OF the condition OF the coun
try You have gazetteers OF the several States pre-
pared by who have taken the utmost pains TO
certain the hisora facts in relation to the States and in
accurate all those gazeeers are and how little oi acc-
rate history they really contain Now il has been
marked by the from Massachusetts, IL seems 10
me that we are departing entirely from what ought 10 be
the object OF Congress in making an enumeration OF me
population and OF those things which are properly stas
teal. When we 20 beyond the population ana the pro-
ductions OF the country, and give history by gente-
competent 10 do the work, which was originally in
tended, but from the OF the work, necessarily in
competent 10 give you anything like history
OF the various States countless and towns IN the States
am opposed to it altogether And before can vote un
dersandngy, | must be informed what Is proposed.
When the character OF the work that is 10 be pro-
duced, shall bepepared 10 say what number Of copies
should De ready TO vote tor what number OF copies
should suppose might be distributed with advantage
among my constituents but until know that. should
be voting in the dark. therefore think that this meas
ought 10 be postponed for the present, until sample
OF Congressn order that we may know what should
be stricken out and if there be anything that ought TO be
added, what it should be- think that the suggestions OF
the honorable from Arkansas and the gentleman
from Massachusetts, contained much OF wisdom hope
therefore that the resolution with the amendment Will
be postponed. that the subject will lie over until
sample shall be furnished which VIII enable us all TO vote
understandingly Irepeat here, however, that am en-
trey opposed this history gotten up this way for
il must necessarily be mass of trash 1t is utterly i'm
possible that gentleman however qualified he may be
TO write history, if he had the time necessary could
under the circumstances. give correct history OF all the
States of this confederacy and OF all the counties IN the
States.
Mr. HAMLIN. Mr.. President shall detan the Sem
ate but very few moments have just had placed in
my hands what purpors 10 be part OF this work, as
prepared at the Census Bureau 1t appears TO be the
sus returns for part OF the State oil Maryland II
the first knowledge had that the head of Census
Bureau had turned historian IL was the FIRST knowledge
had that the law we passed contemplated any such
thing. Indeed, the law does not contemplate any such
thing II neither contempates such thing, nor you
draw from il that power by any possible deduction. My
friend from Pennsylvania Mr. BRoDHEAD] suggests that
twenty four horse power might possibly it. doubt
very much have turned 10 the law for the purpose OF
seeing what the law was, and comparing u with the
thing which they have presented TO us here Tor our ac-
ton. The law is very plain and very clear. II pre-
scbes, first, the duties OF the marshals, and what they
shall do; what information they shall collect and re-
TO the Secretary and then the section concludes by
saying
the same 10 be classified arranged in the
convenient manner for use and lay the before Con-
gress at the next session thereof"
Is there any power given there by which this bureau
was authorized to become historical bureaui know
not how may be with other senator's here, but should
regret exceedingly 10 see any individual however
qualified be might deem himself for the iask make an
attempt TO condene the history OF all the States know
OF no individual connected with that bureau with whom
would ntust that power the duty OF condensing The
history OF the State from which come Who is there
there who knows intimately OF lis great and extended
commerce. Who is there there prepared 10 enter into
those details that should deem essential in our own
State and which would be necessary do justice TO the
State if they are to be sent broadcast this land and
sent to other countries Why it is monsrous stretch
Of power; and il is key which shows why they have
had hundred and sixty clerks employed in that bureau
number truly astonishing for the purpose OF
compiling the statistics that were returned by the
shals
How accurate The history Of Maryland may be | know
not presume it is well written but have not read H.
and do not mean 10 express opinion am quail
hed 10 Judge OF its correctness But | do say that / am
unwilling, one OF the Representatives OF one OF the
States 10 inirust that power that duty 10 these
Besides that do not believe that is properly connected
with the work Congress asked for such thing in the
law and do not believe they will either ask or accept OF
il now. Why, we have been accused already OF turning
book makers; and now comes the next phase, and we
turning historians We TO publish the history OF
the States il this plan is to be carried out And more
than this TO publish the history OF counties and
we will next get down to The history of muncgal copo
rations We want this work and we want to make il
valuable, Valuable il may be made, from the nforma.
ton contained in the returns.
do not know what may be the views OF other gentle
men with whom am associated in the Committee on
Printing but this do know--and think il my duty
frankly TO express 10 the Senateif the duty If the
burden, is wrongiully placed Of making This CON
tract say here in my place that will contract for print
ing no such matter, unless directed in express terms
visabe to convert this body, any OF the committees
under it, into historical bureaus they may do so aud
VIII be my duty TO act in obedience their directions
have the sample OF the OF the State of Mary.
land before The returns OF the State OF MARYLAND
which are comprised in this sample, make tweny.eght
pages. -
MI BUTLER. That is only half OF IT,
DIT. hAmLlN There are twenty eight pag es in H. AZ
san. pu, 'nese twenty-eigh pages only contain one
nal OF tne returns oil the State Twenty one pages of
these weny-eght-more than two hirds-are devoted 10
the historical account, TO which have ALREADY al1dsJ
II twenty one pages 10 be appropriated 10 tbe b,or
cal account oil each Stae-and MARYLAND q, los, roa,
be assumed 10 be medium Staiewe woniJ hs @ nas
or seven hundred pages of historical ssi1