The daily union., 1852-08-08
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1852.
SENATE.
supERIsTENDENT or THE CENSUS.

seems 10 be nothing particular now pending before the
Senate to take up JOINT resolution which ordered
10 be engrossed and read third time. A motion
made reconsider that vote. and the motion laid
upon the table wish TO bring the sahjec! before the
OF the Senate this morning, for if il is be
acted upon at all, i ought 10 be done promptly
Mr; GWIN. hope The honorable senator will wait
until can submit resolution
Mr.. DAVIS. am afraid, if give way, shall not get
a chance 10 have it taken up this morning
The question was then stated on taking up motion
reconsider the vote BY which the joint resolution ex
panatory OF act supplementary to act approved the
23d day Of May 1850 was ordered 10 be engrossed for
Mr. SEWARD The honorable senator from North
Carolina, who sits upon my left, MIR. MANGUM takes
interest in that eacslion He = not in his seat
understand be the Of the reconsideration, and
hope that the subject will not be taken up day during
his absence.
Mr.. DAVIS. | gave notice 70 the honorable senator
from North Carolina that should call up at the earliest
opportunity, and he ssseBted The prope,y of its being
speedily acted upon forbore yesterday TO make that
motion because did not see him IN his seat but as he
has word to about il, take for granted he
feels entirely indifferent with regard TO the matter.
think there are other gentlemen who wish to have the
matter disposed OF as much as do.
The PRESIDENT The motion must be taken up
before il can be discussed
The question being then taken on taking up the mo-
ton TO reconsider on division there were-ayes 81,
Mr.. BORLAND. Mr.. President, if it be in order,
want to say word upon taking up that motion. The
question is thisand state II because observe that
some senators not paying particular attention TO the
proposition OF the honorable senator from
few days ago, joint resolution passed the Senates
explanatory OF an amendment which had been made 10
the act of 1850, tor taking the census OF the United
States, fixing the salary of the experimenting clerk and
the amount q compensation 10 the secretary OF the Cen
sus Board. BY an amendment TO recent bill, which
does not to have attracted much attention the
time, difficulty has been presented at the Treasury De-
p'i The PRESIDENT The senator must Be W aware thai
the motion TO reconsider must be taken up before it can
be discussed.
Mr.. BORLAND am not discussing the merits Of
the question. but simply stating what is the proposition
that senators be aware of what is involved in it.
This joint resolution is simply 10 explain the meaning OF
the act OF $780, and 10 relieve the officers of the treasury
from difficulty in the Interpretation OF the law in
word, il is decide whether two salaries or one shall
be paid for the service,
Mr.. BADGER, lin bis seat) Then it ought to be
passed.
Mr. SEWARD. suppose if any explanation is
proper, it proper also that there should be counter
explanation. submit 10 the honorable senator whether
there has been any presnce or claim BY any person
The PRESIDENT The Chair will be under the ne,
until il is taken up the Chair cannot permit discussion TO
20 on.
10 reconsider it was agreed TO.
The question then stated on the motion TO recon-
slider.
sidera,ion of tins matter. not present when the
motion reconsider was made, and therefore know moi
the why the senator from North Carolina Mr.
MANoUM] made that notion He is not now present, and
in bis Absence hope the postponement will be agreed
In the time that senator can be informed OF the ne
eessy OF having the resolution disposed of and IT. after
such notice. he does not appear then the question can be
taken Hp and disposed Of move TO postpone its further
consideration until tomorrow.
Mr. DAVIS. Mr. President, il this is to be
adopted at ALL it ought to be adopted Immediately. The
law passed some days but whether the President
has yet signed il not, able TO say. II the
panaoiy se which : now Snas. consideration co Is nece1
is drawing towards the close OF the session. and |
urged have this joint resolution sent 10 the House,
that they may act upon IT,
The question being then taken on the motion to post
pone, IL was not agreed to-
The question being the motion TO reconsider,
the Chair said that The noes appeared to have IT,
Mr. BELL. Mr. President, allow me to say a word
before the decision OF the Chair is announced under
stand that the reconsideration IS not ordered the Senate
agree to the joint resolution II now stands. under
stand further that the difficulty al the department
as has been stated to put the proper construction upon
two acts OF Congessone the act constituting the board
of commissioners superintend the census in which
there provision allowing their secretary salary al
the OF 80 900 year the other act passed at
the last session, and Subsequent 10 the one constituting
the board originally which provided for superintendent
OF the census whose duties, supposed by Congress-
presume superseded the duties of secretary OF the Cen
Mr. DAVIS rise TO question Of order. After a
question is put and the vote iaken is il in order 10
tnue the dshatef
The PRESIDENT The Chair did not announce the
decision, but only said the appeared to have it, Un
Ill the decision announced, il is in the power OF any
senator to discuss the subject.
Mr. BELL l am sorry that the senator from Massa
chusetis should be so dscomposed as to raise point OF
order in relation TO such Question this. As
about 10 remark, Mr. President the latter act did not
specifically provide that the salary OF the secretary OF the
board should be discontinued. There repeating
act OF Congress- and the question arose whether Congress
meant supersede the secreiays salary and the duties
OF the secretary aso what Interpretation meant
by Congress Some difficulty has occurred but under
stand that the superintendent of the census has
claimed the two salaries. The proposition which has
been debated TO declare what the intention OF Congress
in the two ac,s, goes upon the supposion that he
claims both salaries, which together would the
sum of $500 understand that be has never put in
any such claim but be supposed that Congress did not
mean that the more arduous and responsible duties
OF .uperintendng the whole business, of aIraug
| ing and compiling the census-for the supplementary
act Of Congress intrusted to his charge these re-
sponsble duies-should be rewarded BY less salary
Than allowed him for his services clerk or secre
tay 10 the original board. The latter act II recollect
argh provides that the Superintendent of the Census
Bureau shall have a salary Of twenty-five hundred dol
lars ouy As secretary Of the board he received three
thousand dollars and be supposed tina, Congress did
diminish his salary, but that there nus be some
mistake; and this question has laid over at the depart
ment think it Is very proper that Congress should
Ke up, as the senator from Massachusetts says and
as mas been done In the introduction OF this joint reson
uoni out al The time seems TO Zoe that whatever
any o'ber gentlemen may think OF the success aud The
apuy, OF 'he want OF ether which have been ascrIbed
10 me superintendent of the Census Bureau, bis resPon-
soites nave certainly been greatly increased have
never nearo any gentleman whatever he might think OF
lne Vs.oe o' the compilation, express the opinion Thai
bs omoe naa not attended 10 his duties with great n
ousuy ana sgof, and with upremtng attention; and
surely, hat be true, il is not at all connected with
this question how much OF this compilation ought TO be
- aA A.