The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-01-24
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FprDhy Tapnauv o. lS5.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
FRIDAY, January %, 1852
On motion, the rules were suspended, to enable
the Speaker to lay before the House communica-
tons from the President, and accompanying re-
ports from the heads of departments.
The first Of these report from the State
Department, communicating the correspondence
with the minister of the United States at Paris,
with reference the occurrences that have recent
ly taken place in France; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The following reports were then submitted:
From the Treasury Department, with reference
TO the appropriation Of ,O00 for the purpose of
equipping SIX revenue cutters, ana recommending
that the sum be increased to $95 ,000 owing to the
loss Of the Lawrence on the Pacific coast, which
vessel it is necessary promptly to replace, wing to
the facilities that exist for smuggling In that portion
of the United States; also accumulation relative
to appropriations in the Minnesota erritoryfor the
wear 1859, which were recommended by the Sec
retary Of the Treasury. Both Of which were re-
ferred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
A communication from the War Department
transmitting the names OF the clerks in that de-
partment; which ordered to be laid on the ia
Bile and printed. Also communication, trans
hitting the expenses Of the armory and the guam
tity of arms manufactured there in 1851; which
was similarly disposed Of
A communication from the Navy Department,
with report the expenditure of the year 1881.
Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
From the Post Office Department, list Of clerks
in pursuance Of the act of 1842, which, it was
stated, have been all actively employed, and re-
commencing that no reduction or change take
place. Laid on the table, and to be printed. Also
one transmitting the accounts of the department,
and statement of the sum required for 1859. Re
ferred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr.. DANIEL, Of North Carolina, stated that
as call had been made yesterday on the State
Department, for information connected with the
Mexican indemnity and as members might be
DESTROYS of having such information, before pro-
ceedng with the debate on the bill before the Com
mittee on the state of the Union, a few days
delay would not make any difference, he moved
to reconsider the resolution passed yesterday,
limiting debate to this day at three o'clock, in or
der that the House might go into committee on
private claims.
Mr. MEADE, of Virginia, who moved the
olution yesterday, was under the impression that
debate was to terminate on Saturday and would
therefore vote for the resolution.
The motion to reconsider the resolution was
carried--69 to 81.
Mr. DANIEL then moved to close debate on
Tuesday at three O. clock on which the yeas and
nays were ordered; and the motion rejected
yeas 81, nay 96.
Mr.. MEADE, of Virginia, moved to lay the
resolution on the table, on which motion the yeas
and nays were ordered; and it was rejected on
division of 80 to 1914
A motion was then carried to close the debate
tomorrow at two o. clock.
message received from the President Of
the United States; which was not reported.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Kentucky, said that when
the resolution for printing 100000 copies of the
census report was before the House; he made
statement with reference to the manner in which
the public printer was executing his contract and
stated that in an interview which that gentleman
had with the committee, he gave them to under
stand that he was aware he had not literally COM
piled with his contract, did he expect to do so
in consequence Of paper being required of better
quality and greater weight than he had contempla
ted. He Mr.. s. was not disposed to be partic
ular as to time, but with reference to the materi
ais TO be used in completing the contract its terms
should be strictly complied with. The public
printer, he said, had addressed him letter the
subiect, and which had been published, which
although it exculpates him, yet ingenously con
veys the idea, that he had departed from the truth
for the purpose VI injurng the writer He there
fore submitted letter which had been written by
Mr.. GORMAN, one OF the COMMITTEE, which he
desired might be read.
The letter was then handed in, and read by the
Clerk, detailing the conversation which took
place in the Committee.
Mr.. STANTON continued. The public prn-
ter had stated that he acted anonymously towards
him. but he had public duty to perform
From the conversation referred to, he (Mr. 50
was under the impression that the public printer
designed to execute the contract, but that he in
tended TO furnish materials that not according
To contract he therefore felt it his dnty to make
the statement he did but he distinctly stated, with
out desire to injure the public printer in any
way. 49,
Mr. DANIEL moved that the House go into
Committee Of the Whole for the purpose oftaking
up private claims, which was negatlved; and 1t
resolved itself into Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union, and again took up the Mexl-
lead indemnity bill.
Mr.. ALLEN began in very low tone of voice,
go much so, that it impossible to distinctly
hear what he said. request from several parts
of the House, that he would speak louder, induced
him TO take possession Of portion Of the Clerks
desk but with corresponding beneficial result,
except as reg arded those members who in its
immediate vicinity. We understood him, how
ever, to deny that the Secretary of State had
right to make arrangements in advance Of the APP
NOMINATIONS by Congress, and even after the ap-
propropriations were made, 1t was wrong, he said,
20 make arrangements with any particular house,
without giving other monled institutions an OPP
portunity Of entering into the proposed contract.
Another position was, that the Secretary Of State
had no right to interfere with the duties Of the
head of another department He entered into
cons;d cradle statistical details, but his hour ex
pired before he could get through with all he had
TO say, most Of which he read from written
paper. III
Mr. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,, followed, who
differed from his colleague in every particular, and
who took quite different view of the subject,
which he said. had been before the Committee OF