The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-11

Library. They have various subjects OF similar kind
before them, and know OF no good reason why they
also
Mr. SEWARD. ! will only say 10 the honorable sen
ator IRON Maine that the suggestion 10 make this altea
uon came IRON the Committee on the Library. who
taxed with inquiries great many other subjects OF
similar character. ] believe the Committee on Indian
Affairs would be well qualified TO examine these paint
ings WIN reference 10 the value oil the collection
Mr.. BRADBURY. II seems TO me that the Committee
on the Library, having other subjects OF The char
acter before Them, would be better qualified TO report with
regard 10 hls proposition. They would know what the
wants Of Tue library are, and what other works OF the
same kind they propose TO purchase but II refer 10
The Committee on The Judiciary the question OF The pur
chase oil law books and 10 the Committee on Public
Lands the question OF the purchase OF books in relation
TO that subject and so on with the other committees OF
the Senate, should certainly be very likely 10 get
heterogeneous collection. | therefore think there ia
great pfopety IN referring this resolution 10 the Commit
lee on the Library hope the honorable senator from
New YORK w consent that the resolution shall stand IN
Mr. PEARCE asked that the resolution might be read ;
and II was accordingly read as modified
Mr. T. said: hope, Mr.. President that the resolution
will be adopted IL. The subject does not properly
belong, think, to the Committee the Library. That
committee has charge OF subjects relating 10 books and
are not to be placed in the Library of Congress. know
is the desire OF the Committee the Library that the
matter should be referred to the Committee Indian At
fairs We are rather overburdened with matters re-
curing our attention and this is a subject strict
y pertaining to jurisdiction, hope iimay be refer
Mr.. SEBASTIAN. Mr. Pres ent, II understand the
resolution, II proposes that tie question with regard to
the purchase OF these pictures shall be referred TO the
Committee on Indian Affairs think, sir, that the popo
ston does not admit OF question for moment that The
COMMITTEES on the Library is the proper committee to
whom TO refer This subject Il is true it is technically
not exactly proper subject 10 lie referred TO that con-
mee; hut it is evidently entirely foreign to the subjects
which the Committee on Indian Affairs usually have
under consideration Their business as conceive, is to
ln,t l.l.
appropriations and the legislation necessary for the pur
pose OF carrying the administration OF the Indian de-
parnent.
Now, the fact that gallery OF portraits OF Indian
chiefs has been collected, with which il is desirable to
enrich The Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of the
Patent Ofce some place OF that kind, constitutes
link that connects il al all with the appropriate business
Of the Indian Committee. Although these portraits are
not books yet BY analogy they connected with that
class oil topics which belongs exclusively and appropri.
ately to the Committee on the Library will mention
Mr. President. in connexon with this matter, that when
the subject of Indian books the production OF several
years oi labor by scientific man. Mr. Schoolcraft was
referred by resolution OF this body the Committee on
Indian Affairs, they sensible OF the propriey that
the Committee on the Library should investigate that
the matter to be placed in charge Of the Committee
on the Library They took the initiative, and have fol-
lowed up the publication OF that book ever since The
Indian Committee. even in case which appealed more
strongly to them than this, asked that the subject might
be referred 10 the Committee the Library They all
know the eminent qualifications OF the chairman OF that
nitlee Indian Affairs have pretenslon whatever
deal with matters relating TO Libraries and the fne
would, therefore, move that this resolution he com
United TO the Committee the Library; and in order 10
accomplish that object, move TO amend the resolution
by striking out the words "Commee on Indian Affairs
and inserting "Commiltee on the Library"
MIR. PEARCE hoped the change would not be made.
but that the resolution would be permitted 10 stand
as is.
MIR. BORLAND, Mr. President, think that none OF
the suggestions which have been made the refer
ence OF this question meet the merits OF the case Ii
seems 10 me that the introduction Of this resolution pre-
sents TO us very fociby the fact that in the establish
ment and arrangement OF our committees for the trans
action OF the business OF the Senate, very important
interest, or one which seems likely TO become import
ant in the estimation of many gentlemen, has been
omitted Ii the Senate is become practically, by its
gsaiion here, the patron of professors OF the fine
aris think the discussion on this resolution would
suggest TO US that is time we had Committee on
Fine Arts. We have Committee on the Library, 10
whom we refer questions relating TO the buying of
books; we have Committee on Printing, TO whom we
refer questions when we wish printing done and why
should we not have Committee on Painting or General
Committee on Fine Arts But, sir, The Senate should
not choose 10 go TO work and supply this omission, and
establish Committee Fine Arts Paintings especi-
ally, do think that the Committee Indians Affairs.
by all means rs The committee that should have the
sideration OF this subject Sir. the chairman OF that
mitlee Is well known 10 be Familiarity acquainted with
Indian affairs be stated yesterday or on former
occasion; as we well know he is familiar with the Indian
Characterize lives upon the frontier and has for many
yeats, where he has had abundant opportunities TO OBJ
serve Indian character and The appearance OF the Indians
he IS probably as wen quaned 10 Judge upon matters
OF tha, kind as any gentleman among u.s. and Is the
best qualified 10 Judge OF the merit OF these pant
lngs, and TO say whether they truly represent Indian
character or moi, We know, sir, that because we
had no proper judgment, by competent gentleman,
upon question OF this sort, have in the roiuudo
OF the Capitol painting OF Indiana which represents
any thng ~ the world but Indians. No who knows
any hing about the appearance OF Indians could 20 into
the roiundo and select single figure in that painting as
representing Indian nj all This must have been be-
cause, when that painting procured the subject was
not referred 10 the Indian Committee, or 10 any commit
tee acquainted with The appearance and characteristics OF
indians.
Now sir, believe the Committee on the Library in
upon the frontier, and been familiar with Indians and
their appearance and characteristics. wish have II
submitted 10 such practical test know that my coll
league, although he wishes TO avoid this reference is
well with this subject His modesiy may have
caused him TO seek 10 avoid this reference, but think
be has better qualifications to Judge upon such subject
than the chairman OF the Committee the Library.
But sr, with The knowledge which know my colleague
possesses upon this subject and with his practical
acquaintance, we have the additional qualifications OF the
chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs And then
we also have upon that committee the senator from
Texas. Mr.. RusK, who, we all know has great ex
perence and most extended observation upon this sub
Ject and II we are TO have enlightened practical udg
ment upon The subject involved in this resolution there
Is no source 10 which would look with much conf
dence as would 10 that committee should be perfectly
satisfied with their Judgment not only upon tile policy
OF entering into the purchase OF the paintngsor think
they are well qualified 10 pass upon that subect-but
upon the special merits OF the portraits themselves.
desire that The resolution may take the direction indicated
by the honorable senator from New York who intro.