The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-15
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.

E)GNh
WEDNESDAY,, May IL, 1852
Mr.. HUNTER presented petitions from clerks
employed in the various Executive Departments,
praying for an increase of their salaries. !.
The memorials were referred TO the committees
on business pertaining to the departments respec-
lively
Mr.. SHIELDS, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported bill to repeal the several
acts concerning certain staff departments of the
army, and to provide for the discharge Of the
duties thereof by detail of officers of the line.
Mr.. S. briefly explained the provisions of the
bill 1t contemplated the abrogation of the SUBJ
sistence department and the adjutantg 3 de-
partment; and was calculated, in the view of the
committee, and Of various military gentlemen,
who had been consulted, to remedy very serious
and growing abuses in those departments of the
service ~
The bill was read and passed to second read
ing.
Mr.. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Com
merce ,reported bill authorizing imported goods,
wares and merchandise entered and bonded for
warehouslng in pursuance Of law to be exported
to certain ports and places in Mexico; which was
read and passed TO second reading.
Mr.. BRADBURY, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, reported bill to prohibit officers of
the army from furnishing supplies TO the govern
ment, which was read and passed TO second
reading.
Mr.. GWIN, by leave, introduced bill grant
ing the right of way and donation Of the public
lands 10 aid in the construction Of railroad from
San Francisco to San Jose, in California, which
was read twice and referred.
LIEUT.. TEMPLES MEMOIR.
The Senate then proceeded TO the considera-
ton of the resolution heretofore submitted by Mr..
BELL, calling for copy of a memoir of the land
ing Of the United States troops at Vera Cruz in
l647 by Lieut.. Temple, with the written orders of
General Scott, &c.
Mr.. CASS expressed the hope that the resou-
ton would not be adopted. He was opposed to
printing so many books at the public expense.
Mr.. HAMLIN being Of the same opinion,
moved to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr.. MANGUM made some remarks, (Which
were not distinctly heard by the rsporter) about
the wincing of the Senator from Michigan at the
printing of memoir Of this description, and init
mated that the party to which he belonged, were
destined TO be sufficiently punished by the peo-
pie.
Mr.. BELL said he had ncthing ofa political
character in view in offering this resolution. The
memoir was ably written, and as it referred to a
subject of much historical interest," he hoped the
Senate would adopt the resolution, in order that
they might have nm opportunity Of examining it.
Mr.. CLEMENS was satisfied after The remark
Of the Senator from N Carolina that the object
Of the resolution was TO help along the next Pres
idential election. He should vote against the res
olution for that very reason. He was willing to
concede the highest military distinction to Gen.
Scott. He had introduced a resolution comforting
upon him the highest rank which was ever con-
ferret upon military leader and should urge its
passage, but he was not ready to vote for the
printing Of any memoirs tending to illustrate his
deeds and to help TO elevate him to the Presidency.
Mr.. MANGUM said the Senator from Alaba-
ma had entirely misunderstood him. He did not
mean to intimate that the resolution was designed
Il Il A
that 1t was "piling up the agony" upon gentle
men who manifested little shrinking under the
influence Of the resolution. He never had a word
of conversation with the Senator from Tennessee
about the resolution, and he did not know the
character of the memoir.
MIR. HAMLlN regretted that anything of a
political character had been connected with this
resolution. IL was the fartherest from his inten-
ton. IL related TO a subject which had been fully
examined by the Commitee on Printing, and a
majority OF that committee had come 70 the con-
clusion TO put stop to this wholesale business Of
printing books at the expense Of the Senate. He
would offer no objection TO the printing OF this
memoir, which he would not offer to the printing
OF any other matter. He was opposed to the
practice in general. He would take occasion TO
say, however, as the debate had taken political
turn, that the person nominated by his friends on
that side Of the chamber was destined 10 be the
next President OF the I'm ted States
Mr.. CASS desired to say that when he made
the objection TO the resolution, he had idea that
il referred TO General Scott, or he would not have
said single word. lie was opposed 20 the gen.
eral practice Of printing books. But under the
circumstances he should interpose no objection TO
this resolution.
On motion Of Mr.. HALE, the resolution was
postponed until tomorrow.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The Senate then proce ded TO the consideration
a n r = -
ton for the service OF the current fiscal year.
the Collins line, as amended, on motion Of Mr..
RusK, being under consideration,
Mr.. B0RLAND addressed the Senate for an
hour and half in opposition to the amendment,
stating his objections to il ard dwelling particu-
lnrly upon the prior claims Of the Western States
upon Congress.
Without concluding his remarks, owing 10 q
slight indisposition, he gave way to postpone
ment Of the subject until tomorrow.
PROSECUTION or CLAIMS AGAINST the GOVERN
MEET.
On motion Of Mr. UNDERWOOD the Senate
then took up the bill from the House to prohibit
members Of Congress from prosecuting claims
az ainst tho government, when
Mr.. UNDERWOOD submitted a substitute for
the bill, the provisions Of which he explained at
some length. His object was TO extend the pro-
Visions oil the Dill 70 clhsE OF gentlemen IN this
city who are in the habit Of representing to per-
sons having claims against the government that
they have a special influence with members Of
Congress and with the Heads Of Departments,
and who upon this pretence obtain large fees for
their services. II was designed to reach the cases
Of every description Of agents and to correct a
variety ofabuses by providing adequate penal en-.
actments.
lie moved that the bill, together with his sub
stitute be re committed.
Mr.. BADGER defended the bill.
u was not intended to remedy all the evils
which existed at the seat Of government, but was
designed to afford suitable protection to particu-
lar class Of persons. The committee had fully
considered the subject, and he thought the bill
which they had reported was a good one. He
hoped the motion TO re-commt would not prevail.
After some remarks from Mr. ADAMs and
DRopBEAD the question Of re-commHing was
taken and lost.
The bill was then passed and
On motion the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WEDNESDAY, May IL.
The Journal OF Yesterday was read and an