The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-06

me way of pnollc buildings, such usually fur
Union States. the committee reported provision 10
pay the State OF California $500 oo0a sum which the
the senator from California [Mr Gwisl objected be-
eve he would now object 10 but for the TACT that il s
necessary to adopt the other provisions OF the bill in order
10 get these settled He has however, agreed
TO withdraw his objections TO this bill and believe there
is now general concurrence the part OF the commit
lee in the wish that the bill should be passed through
possible, in order that these accounts may be
settled and this Troublesome subject may be put IN the
way OF adjustment
The amendment OF the committee was then agreed TO-
Mr., GWIN. have one word 10 say, MIR. President.
On some future occasion shall wish to examine the
reason given by the Committee Finance for withhold
ing this civil fund from the State OF California But
want this bill to pass for think II should pass; and
shall therefore give my vote and waive my opposition
The bill was then reported TO the Senate as amended,
and The amendment was agreed TO.
The PRESIDENT There are some blanks yet to be
Mr. HUNTER moved to FIJI the fret blank, in the sth
OF the 4th section, with the sum $50 6oo!hose being
the expenses OF the convention which framed the con-
sttution which was agreed TO.
Mr. H. also moved to fill the blank in the Ilh line of
the 9TH section with the sum $lo,ooo which was agreed
Mr.. CHASE. would like, Mr.. President. to make
inquiry two of the chairman OF the Committee on FIJI
nance with regard to that bill The fourth section pro-
vides that the expenses of the convention that framed
the constitution OF California shall be paid out of
the treasury in some form. The fifth section sug-
gess, at all events that suits may be brought
to recover duties which have been paid into the
treasury out OF the civil fund The sixth section pro.
vides that out OF this civil fund there shall be paid
TO the State OF California the sum OF three hundred
thousand dollars. should like to be informed by the
chairman OF the Committee on Finance, do not
clearly understand whether in contemplation, not
merely pay the expenses of the convention that framed
the constitution of Cal fona but also 10 out OF the
treasury to this State the OF $300000 and leave the
treasury exposed TO the suits which may be brought by
individuals this identical sum from the goverA
ment. for duties which they have paid II this is the
fact it seems to me that the bill deserves further
w
Mr. HUNTER. The design OF the bill, sir, was to
pay to California three hundred thousand doars-to
come OF course, out OF the civil fund which raised
there's and there difference of opinion in rea-
ton that On two occasions the committee agreed TO
report that amoant The sum that the State Of Caliior,
claimed, in the whole, was some thirteen hundred
thousand dollars The committee did not agree to give
the State the whole but to pay her three hundred thou
sand dollars in lieu of what is generally given to Terrific
Ies when they become Staes Tor the public buildings TO
be erected, and objects of that kind It was supposed
this would be granted in lieu Of that As they had made
this demand, and claimed TO be entitled to the whole
fund.- the majority of the committee supposed would be
but fair and right to give them this three hundred thou
In relation TO these SUITS believe there are some pend
ing b, the committee did not apprehend that there
much danger OF judgment being rendered against the
United States. II 1t goes against them. OF course the
money will have 10 be refunded
Mr. BADGER. l desire to ask little further expla-
nation upon that OF my honorable friend from Virginia.
going to vote for the amendment OF the bill
proposed by the committee. But understand from him
that the State of California claims the Of thirteen
Mr. HUNTER. Nearly that sum.
Mr. BADGER, That is the sum in round numbers.
WE'LL sir the claim is either well founded i'll founded
and understand that the committee do not reject the
claim allow the claim, but they say that they will
give to the Stale of California the sum Of 100000.
What want 10 arrive at is this: Did the committee as
certain that the three hundred thousand dollars which
they propose to allow to the State of California due
that State and that the residue OF the amount claimed by
the State is not due TO her Or did the committee, 6nd
ing difficulty in ascertaning what is the precise
sum which is due to her-dd they assume $30o,0oo
given her merely because she claims thirteen hundred
thousand II it is upon this last ground that the propo
si,ion Is made, I object to il
committee of opinion that the State OF California
was not entitled to The civil fund.
Mr. Mr. BIHGEB BA4GER 0r.o @ any part Of IL !, r,.. 49,
hundred thousand dollars is given by the committee
gratuy Doubtless they disposed to be liberal
s saS S ns na h0 ns state 9,
upon the ground, sir, that had given advantages
all the Territories before they were brought in States.
and there public buildings in California that cost more
money there than elsewhere think the majority of the
committee fixed the amount at three hundred thousand
dollars; if remember rightly, they were four to one
And think estimate made in relation 10 this
matter Ii is true that when that amount proposed
in relation 10 this provision, did not think they
entitled TO 1t but finding that the committee had twice
decided have given up, and the senator from California
Mr.. GwIsl has Withdrawn his objection, in order to
enable this bill 10 pass although he thinks that his State
is entitled to the whole civil fund Under these circum-
stances. il to me that would be better that the
bill should pass in ifs present form.
Mr. CHASE, | did not understand my friend, the
chairman OF the ,mmittee Finance, mt HuNTER]
answering the question which put TO him in regard
TO the fourth section. The fourth section, IL UNDER
stand it, provides for the payment OF the expenses of the
convention that framed the constitution OF California
OF no other expenses incurred by that State
preparatory 10 its admission into the Union IL there are
any other expenses proper that they should be met
and il these three hundred thousand dollars are APP
plicabe 10 that purpose. And any further sum be re-
qured 10 meet these expenses should be the last man
in the world to object 10 IL.
Mr. HUNTER There is no other provision in the
bill for paying the expenses of the government de cfo
at the time OF The treaty peace and establishing State
constitution. The expenses OF The State convention
were paid by General Riley out Of the civil fund and
the remainder of the money was paid, believe, to Gen
Scott when surrendered, under the orders Of the Execu-
ernuaent de facotbe udciary--whch had to be kept in
force in order preserve the order and peace OF society
This, as said before, the necessities OF the occasion
seemed TO justify. II seemed to that, selfpreser
vaton the first law OF nature, ii necessary to
recognise the existence OF this government de o and
pay its expenses far they confined TO pre-
serving the peace Of society in California.
believe it will be found that the assumption OF that
principle, and the conside ration of the dhcnltes which
arise of the anomalous state OF things when certain
y existed in California during that peuod 10 the only
supposon which will enable us TO solve these dimcnl-
ties satisfactorily Il may perhaps require US 70 some
more money than would have bad 10 pay i we had
had regular government The commltiee had great
deal Of dculty about this matter, and had OF
ascerainnr what was due what ought to be paid and
thew have therefore, left IL to the discretion OF the Presi-
dent In the settlement OF these accounts, admit ssch
as he may think proper and such charges he