The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-15
NGToN CITY, SATURDAY, MAY IS, 1852.

the last report of the Committee on Printing,
when il was charged that there was combina-
ton between gentlemen of extreme sectional views
for the purpose ofdefeating the action of the COM
mittee This he denied.
Mr.. F. then reviewed at length the report of the
Committee on Printing and as a summing up Of
his views, in conclusion moved the following as
substitute for the resolution reported by the com.
miltee:
Rssoiced, That the joint resolution entitled "A
joint resolution directing the manner of procuring
the printing for the two Houses Of Congress-"
approved August3d, 1876" empowers the Com
mitlee on Printing to provide only for the execu-
ton of such printing as has been ordered by
Congress" and Gin the execution of which there
is any neglect or delay on the part Of the con-
tractor"
Resolped, therefore, That in making contract or
contracts with any other party or parties for the
execution Of future Woodwork not yet ordered
the committee exeead4dits powers. and such com,
tract or contracts are null aud void.
Resoiued, That the action Of the committee was
improper In proposing to procure the execution Of
such printing now or hereafter to be ordered, as
is or may be neglected or delayed, at prices un-
necessary high, inasmuch as by procuring its exc.
cution at such prices they would release in part
the contractor from liability for any increased ex-
pendlture consequent upon the non-performance
of the contract.
Resolped, That the committee on the part of the
House having exceeded their powers, and having
declined obeying the instructions of the House,
and expressed disposition rather than do so to
vacate their position on the joint committee the
latter Of the alternatives they have presented be
accepted, and that they be and hereby are dis
charged from any further service on said COM
mittee, and the Speaker be requested to fill the
vacancies thus created in the Joint Committee on
Printing.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Kentucky, replied to the
remarks of Mr.. FITCH. He contended that the
committee in acting as they had, had acted in ac-
cordance with law. The House had instructed
the whole committee to do that which they had no
power to do under the law, and it was the unani-
nous opinion of the committee that they were not
bound to obey the instructions of the House. The
committee had made contract with Donelson e.
Armstrong, and the Republic to do such work Ms
the contractor could not or would not do. This
was but temporary exped;ent, intended only to
last until the House should take further action on
the subject. The committee in making this ar
rangement, had no design of putting Money into
the hands of the Republic with which to oppose
the Democratic party of the United States. All
that they designed to do was to secure 20 the
House and Senate the execution of that descrip-
tion Of printing which they needed for legislative
purposes, and which had been unnecessarily de-
layed by the public printer.
Without taking any further action on this sub
ject-
HOMESTEAD BILL.
On motion of MIR. Polk, the House went into
COMMITTEES of the Whole, Mr.. HIBBARD in the
chair, and resumed the consideration of the
homestead bill.
The question was then taken on the substitute
for the original bill offered by MIR. BRowN, Of
Mississippi, and it was agreed to. Ayes 81, noes
sc.
After some delay occasioned by the question as
to whether sny amendment had been offered TO
the substitute, which was decided in the afiirma
tive.
On motion Of Mr.. MASON, the committee rose
anu rel urteu tire pl'i as aitetiued 10 che House
The question being on agreeing 10 the bill re-
ported by the committee
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, moved as a sub
stitute therefor, the original bill preyiouslyin
troduced by him, the first section Of which pro-
vides "that any person who is the head of fam
lily and citizen of the United States, or any per-
son who is the head Of family and had become
citizen prior TO tn first day of JAN 1852 as re-
qured by the naturalization laws Of the United
States shall, from and after the passage Of this
act, be entitled 10 enter, free OF cost, quarter
section ofvacant and unsppropriated public lands,
or a quantity equal thereto, 10 be located in a
body IN conformity with the legal subdivisions Of
the public lands, and after the same shall have
been surveyed"
The question being on the substitute, Mr.
JOHNSON, OF Tennessee, moved the previous
question which was seconded, and under the
operation thereof the substitute was agreed to.
Yeas 81, noes "a.
Mr.. JENKINS moved TO lay the bill as amend |
ed on the table, which was negatiyed. Yeas 81, |
noes H.
After various motions 10 adjourn
The substitute of Mr.. BRows, as amended by |
the adoption Of the substitute Of Mr.. JOHNSON,
was agreed TO. Yes los, noes 81.
The bill as amended then read the third /
time and passed. Yeas l07, noes Sc.
The House, at half past S O'Clock, adjourned |
TO meet at o. clock tomorrow morning.