Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-24


were the design they would utterly fail by this
accomplish their object The money was taken
than year ago 1t was taken according TO law it
according the decision Of those appointed by the
law to decide that matter it taken according to
the opinion Of the Attorney General and the accounts Of
the dsbursng agent who paid it have passed the proper
accounting department. The money, then, which
thus taken is legally vested in those who have taken it,
There is action which the Senate House of Repre-
sentatives could take which the whole Government
could take which could dvest those Senators Of their
property in that amount.
But sir, apart from that the effect Of defeating this
appropriation would be to deprive Senators of their per
diem allowances and if the House intend insist what
they have DONE the effect will be to deprive us hereafter
of allowance because if the Senate is to be deprived
Of pay and mileage until this money is restored they
never receive either for it is impossible by any action
which they could take, either this amendment any
other BILL that they deprive Senators Of property
which the law has vested in them. Again, sir this def
cheney arises not from that alone but from other
1t is well known that several Senators have
here supply vacancies and that they Of course
titled to mileage.
These have been the causes which have created this de-
fciency and unless this amendment is agreed to- there
will be money to pay to Senators their per diem al
owance for understand that the money in the hands Of
the Secretary for that purpose is nearly exhausted The
effect then, of refusing this amendment will not be to
deprive Senators Of the mileage for the called session. but
stop their daily compensation for services which they
rendering and to refuse the mileage of those who
have been recently appointed think therefore, when
the House comes understand the matter fully they will
probably recede from their amendment.
win further take occasion to say here, that think it
would be dangerous for either House interfere with the
personal conduct Of members Of the other Suppose sir
that were disposed to carry such war; could
not retalate There is law believe, which forbids
any member from receiving his pay except those days
which he is actually in attendance We know very
well that this rule is not observed and suppose that with
this knowledge, to to cut down the appro
praon for their pay upon the plea that much of it
for time when they absent from duty and therefore
not entitled under the law would they not have
complain Of having violated that courtesy which is
due from branch of the Government to another
Surely they would think such of procedure
our part very unbecoming.
Each House. therefore, must be allowed to judge of the
propriey of its action in relation matters
ing that House only; and if they guilty Of any mis-
conduct they responsible, not each House to the
other, but to the country and throughout the
try there will always be found critics enough to
pose such misconduct the part Of either branch Of the
Legislature hope sir, that it may be long before the
two Houses engage in unworthy contest seek to
hold up each other to public Reproduction trust them
that the Senate will insist its amendment and propose
committee of conference in relation to it for
that such committee would not be long in adjusting this
matter of difference between the two Houses.
The Senate having agreed to the motion insist its
amendment, and that committee of conference be APP
pointed on the disagreeing vote of the two Houses
The Chair named Messrs HUNTER, JAMES, and UPHAM
as the committee on the part of the Senate
On motion by Mr.. GWIN the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of Executive business and after time
spent therein the Senate adjourned.