The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-07

10 be based upon the principle OF guarding The treasury
4 he limited States We have got into this difficulty by
his very course unless Tepudate all The debts OF the
government This ia the way that so many fraudulent
claims are passed lhaVieoals Who nase cams upon
nate but they are delayed in one way or another until
I'M claims become twelve, hlteen or twenty years old
ma Then other claims not well founded enabled 10
nIesept themselves, and pass the Senate and House OF
REPRESENTATIVES and become charge upon the treasury
mis- rule has several times before been adopted and has
nsyer been construed 10 exclude private bill when
cached npon the calendar This is the first time such
Construction has been put upon IT, There 10 be
general disposition everywhere to give these private bills
I'M go.by They debts honestly due by the govern
meni Of the United States to individuals II we are in
favor Of repudatng them. LEI us do IL once What will
be the consequence OF the continuance OF these claims
Il will be 10 induce the individuals who hold them TO
mi them into The hands oil agents 10 get Them forwarded
Ills lime that we should take up these bills and dispose
Of them way or The other Let US dispose OF them
while the claimants are living and not leave II TO Their
heirs 10 prosecute Their claims IN The Senate oil The UNI
ted States. , -, 80
~ The Chair that formal motion should be submitted
The PRESIDENT. The Chair was under the impress.
aim that the former decision had been otherwise, and
that when rule OF this kind prevailed heretofore pri
vale bills were passed upon other days. but in that
lie NAV be mistaken. He wishes, therefore. for the
Senate 10 say whether II was intended that the general
orders should be taken up as they stand upon the caen-
dar whether of private nature or OF public nature
and that upon Friday matters OF public character shall
he excluded Ii that is the of the Senate the Chair
will give that construction TO the rule
Nh HAMLIN 4 will move that the rule adopted by
the Senate shall not affect the standing of private bills
upon other days.
lion necessary He will merely endeavor ascertain what
she OF the Senate with regard TO the construc
Mr. HAMLIN Then will in few words express
ny opinion voted for that resolution and certainly
should never have raised question about the matter,
believing, has been well said by the senator from
NH al.n. tlnt~.x hntf. t,.t Tho
rule does not belong to it, These my sentiments.
The PRESIDENT The Chair understands the con-
sucon upon the rule 10 be that the calendar shall be
taken up in lis regular ode whether it consists OF pr-
vae bills OF bills OF public nature, and that is only
upon Friday that public bills TO be excluded and pri
waite bills to be acted upon The Chair was under dlf.
ferent impression and il necessary TO bring this
question before the Senate because members had express
ed different opinions concerning IT.
Mr. DOWNS. u wish to remark, IN reply TO the hon.
orable senator from Maine, mir BRApBURy,l who sug.
gess that private bills should not be taken up out OF their
order, that concur with him entirely upon that point.
and that moved 10 take up because was laid upon the
table yesterday in consequence Of the ceremony of the
days and that il would be less trouble to the Senate TO
take up this bill and dispose OF it now, while it fresh
in the minds OF the Senate than to place upon the cal
endar and call up again when the circumstances may
have been forgotten With that view, although concur
the principle, made this motions and think it will
take very short time to dispose OF the bill.
The question being taken upon the notion twas agreed
The Senate therefore proceeded as in committee of The
~ VI
VIM Darby.
Mr. FELCH. believe report was made in this
case some two or three years ago recoect that at the
last Congress voted upon this measure, the yeas and
nays being taken think that upon that the Sem
ate very nearly equally divided. should like very
well TO hear the report read, If 1t upon The Secrearys
desk
The PRESIDENT The bill was introduced on leave
and has not been referred consequently, there is no
port in the possession OF the Secretary
Mr.. DOWNS. | believe there report at the last
Congress
Tie PRESIDENT. There may be report on file
but II is not IN colnexion with this bill
Mr. FETCH Mr.. President wish 10 say a word OF
two IN regard 10 this matter Ii recoect rightly there
was report made some years since from select com.
mitee OF which Mr. Cowin, the present Secretary OF
the Treasury, was chairman, That report believe was
acted upon al that time by the Senate, and bill has been
introduced upon leave twice since, but report has
been made OF The facts in the as far as informed,
and the only knowledge we possess has been derived
from little discussion which took place at the time
when the bill passed by the last Congress AT that
time listened TO the discussion which took place, but
unable TO discover any principle OF justice by which
this claim ought 10 be allowed. If understand the mat
ter correctly, this applicant claims that he employed
by government 10 make certain surveys IN louisiana
He received his pay Tor those surveys Ia making them,
however, he acquired certain information with regard to
the geographical features OF that country That inor
nation was disposed of by him 10 a certain individual by
The name OF Melish, who was engaged in making map
in Philadelphia about that time. Owing TO some diff
Guilty or trouble between them, he alleges in his pe
lion, compensation was ever received by him. But am
not aware that upon that ground LIABLE or that
that is any reason why we should Tecompense him
should interfere, and grant compensation for the
loss he sustained out of the public treasury ought 10 IN
ierere m other upon the consdera
lions. do not understand at all that this individual was
employed by the United States 10 obtain ihe information
for which he claims compensation. dc not understand
that we have received anything in the shape OF lnorma
lion Tor which compensation should be made. | under
stand that he acquired geographical information, and that
m treaties made with France and Span-one OF them IN
Is9-reerence was made to the Melish map, and that il
thus virtually received the sanction OF this government
10 such extent, he alleges that his private infoma
lion not valuable to him forwards IN the makng Of
maps. But | understand he acquired this information
while in the service OF the United States, for which
haps destroyed the value OF that property because
referred 10 the map made by Melish in treaties made with
France and with Spain, still this does not seem tosny
mind TO establish valid claim upon this government for
remuneration.
Now, sir presume this be the whole ground upon
winch The claim is made and VI we are 10 pay Tor IN
formation alter il has thus been disposed Of and publish
60 70 he wofdt aie 10 pay IN cases OF tins kind
blnE we should have plenty OF business fall TO
hands II the maps made By Melish used by gov
efnmeni they public property, and only contained
would. These facts derived from The remarks made
during the previous discussion OF this subject tor think
there then report ade. looked into the facts
OF the at the previous session. and have been unable
10 that under obligation 10 pay this claim,
10 perceive how the sanction Of the Senate,
unless we equally under general obligation 10 all
individuals who devoting their time and talents
scientific pursuits and who lay before the world and
publish in books the results Of their Investigations
recng that we should pay them what they might deem
a lalr remuneration out OF the national treasury.
Mr.. BADGER MIR President. 4 wish n ask INES