The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-10
O010e1oGI0xAL PD0CRRDINGS.
.ns ssss SENATE.
FRIDAY, April 9, 1854.
SENATE.
the CAPITOL EXTENSION.

-
sses a5 THE CAPITOL EXTENSION.
~. HHNTER moved to POSTPONE the consid-
srnaian Of private bills one hour for the purpose
OF ts1Ia1 Up the Joint Resolution approprnting
ttoo.oe0, 70 continue the work upon the wings OF
the capitol, which, after some debate, was agreed
70, and the resolution was taken up.
~. bokLAND spoke in opposition to the res
osuncn and against the completion OF the pro-
posed extension a. all.
Mr.. MANGUM and others called for the ques-
tion.
Mr. BRODHEAD submitted substitute for
the resolution, appropriating 10000, to enable
the architect to remove the walls which have been
commenced, and restore the grounds; also, to pay
the labovers who have been thrown out of EN-
ploymeht by the suspension Of the work, the
same amount they would have been entitled to il
the work had not been suspended, and for the set
tismsnt Of the accounts ofthe architect.
Mr.. B. said his object was to test the question
whistler they would proceed to erect the proposed
additions to the Capitol, and enlarge and improve
the grounds would be required at an expendi-
ture Of millions of dollars or whether they would
abandon the work now and pay off the hundred
thousand which had already been expended.
Mr.. MANGUM called for the question on the
proposed amendment.
Mr.. BRADBURY was inclined to support the
amendment. He thought the Capitol in its pres
ent shape ample enough for all practical pur-
poses.
Mr.. DOUGLAS regarded it as very clear that
the present capitol is not large enough. But be-
fore voting, it was important that western men
should understand whether or not the amendment
was proposed with the view OF abandoning tne
present capitol, and erecting new edihce IN some
more central part Of the republic.
Mr. BRODHEAD did not suppose the erection
Of the proposed wings would at all influence his
Western friends, indeciding whether Washington
was to be the permanent seat of government or
not.
Mr.. WALKER advocated the amendment and
condemned both the plan of the proposed extern
siop and the execution of the work.
Mr.. BRODHEAD asked for the yeas and nays,
which were ordered, and his amendment was re-
iected-yeas ii, nays 80.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa, moved to reduce the
reorganization to $3.50 900, and after debate by
Messrs. HUNTER, MANGUM, BORLAND
DAWSON, UNDERWOOD, and others, modi-
fed the proposition to $500, 900, when 1t was re-
Mr. BORLAND then offered an amendment to
nav the workmen the same as if they had been
employed up to the present time, and one month s
wages in addition
Mr.. B. said he wished to let the country know
that he was not disposed TO Cypress these unfor
tunate laborers, as had been represented.
The proposition was rejected to 33-M essrs
Adams. Borland, Brodhead, Chase, Dodge OF
Iowa, Walker and Weller voting in the afirma-
MIR. BoRLAND then offered the following pro
viso:
"Provided nothing herein contained shall be sc
nstrred az to authorize any officer or agent Of
the United States to bind the United States, by
contract, beyond the amount appropriated by
Congress, or to sanction any such contract here
tofore made.
After discussion, in " hich Messrs. Cass, Hun
ter. Hale, Underwood, Borland, Mangum, Gwln
Clemens. and Rusk participated, the proviso was
agreed to-yeas "a, nays II.
Mr. HALE then submitted the following
amendment :.
That the laborers employed upon the capitol
shall be entitled to and shall receive pay for the
time the work was suspended, according to the
regular prices at which they were originally en-
protracted discussion ensued. and various
notifications were suggested. Finally, at the
suggestion of Mr.. SHIELDS, the amendment was
modified, in conformity with the precedent on the
occasion Of the suspension of the work on the
Treasury buildings in 1893, so as TO authorize the
architect to examine the claims of the workmen to
indemnity for the loss of their time during the
suspension of the work, and to allow them such
indemnity az under the circumstances justice ant
equity may require, not exceeding the amoun
which was allowed the workmen who were
thrown out of employment by the suspension Of
the work upon the Treasury buildings.
This proposition meeting the views OF Senators
generally, was agreed to-yeas % nays 49,.
Mr.. ADAMS moved to make the violation Of
Mr. RonI.ANp's proviso, which had been agreed
to. penal offence, subjecting the offender, upor
conviction, to removal from office and confinement
in the penitentiary for term not exceeding five
years. :,
The amendment did not prevail, however, there
being - in the affirmative and ~ IN the negative
The House amendment, as modified, was ther
agreed to; after which
The Senate adjourned until Monday.