The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-13

would Offer no otjsction - thspr;ssiag ~ ta&
memoir. whicA.es would nos odsF . ~ priasiss
Of any other matter. he was 'oppojed - II
practice in general. He would take odsasjsn =
say, however, az the debats had taken polisieai
turn, that the person nominated by his friends on
that side Of the chamber was destined to b the
next President Of the United States-
Mr. CASS desired TO say that when he made
the objection to the resolution be had no idea that
it referred to General Scott. he would NOT have
said single word. He was opposed to the gen.
eral practice of printing books. But under the
circumstances he should inlerpose no objection to
this resolution.
On motion Of Mr.. HALE, the resolution was
postponed until tomorrow
Tue DEFICIENCY BILL.
The Senate then proceeded TO the confederation
of the bill to supply deficiencies in the appropria-
ton for the service OF the current fiscal year.
The amendment to increase the compensation to
the Collins line, amended, on motion of Mr..
RUsK, being under consideration,
Mr.. DORLAND addressed the Senate for an
hour and a half in opposition to the amendment,
stating his objections to it and dwelling particu-
larly upon the prior claims of the Western States
upon Congress.
slight indisposition, he gave way TO a postpone
ment Of the subject until tomorrow.
PROSECUTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE coyKRN-
On motion Of Mr.. UNDERWO the Senate
then took up the bill from the House to prohibit
members Of Congress from prosecuting claims
against the government, when
Mr. UNDERWOOD submitted substitute for
the BILL the provisions of which he explained Al
some length. His object was to extend the pro-
visions of the bill to class of gentlemen in this
city who are in the habit Of representing TO per-
sons having claims against the government that
they have special influence with members Of
Congress and with the Heads of Departments,
and who upon this pretence obtain large fees for
their services 1t was designed to reach the cases
Of every description Of agents and To correct
variety ofabuses by providing adequate penal en-
actments
He moved that the bill, together with his SUBJ
stute be re committed.
Mr.. BADGER defended the BILL
1t 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 good one. Hs
hoped the motion to re commit would not prevail
After some remarks from Mr.. ADAMS and
BRoDHEAD the question of re-commlting was
taken and lost.
The bill was then passed and
On motion the Senate sdjournrd.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDNESDAY, May 1o.
The Journal of yesterday was read and APP
proved.
The SPEAKER announced that the first bust
ness IN order was the consideration Of the follow
ing resolution reported by the Committee on Print
ing on Friday last.
Resolved That the Committee on Printing, under
the joint resolution of the Sd OF August, 1886,
:" have power to adopt such measures as may be
deemed necessary to remedy any neglect or delay
on the part Of the contractor to execute the work
ordered by Congress, and to make pro rata de-
duction in the compensation allowed or refuse the
work altogether, should it be inferior to the stand
ard ; and in all cases may hold the contractor and
his securities responsible for any increased ex-
penditure consequent upon the non-performance
OF his contract
Mr.. FITCH addressed the House on this sub
ect abiding to the debate which took place on
the last report OF the Committee on Printing
when it was charged that there was combina-
ton between gentlemen Of extreme sectional views
for the purpose of defeating the action of the COM
mtee. This he denied.
Mr.. F. then reviewed at length the report of the
Committee on Printing and summing up Of
his views, in conclusion moved the following as a
substitute for the resolution reported by the COM
mttee:
Resolved, That the joint resolution entitled Z" A
the printing for the two Houses of Congress-
approved August3d, 1885, empowers the Com
mttee on Printing to provide only for the execu-
ton of such printing as has been " ordered by
Congress" and Gin the execution Of which there
is any neglect or delay on the part Of the con-
tractor"
RESOLVED, therefore, That in making contract or
contracts with any other party or parties for the
execution of future wordsworth not yet ordered
the committee exceeded its powers, and such con-
tract or contracts are null and void.
Resolved, That the action of the committee was
improper IN proposing to procure the execution Of
such printing now or hereafter to be ordered, as
is or may be neglected or delayed, at prices UNI
necessary high, inasmuch as by procuring it's exc
cuton at such prices they would release in part
the contractor from liability for any increased ex-
pendlture consequent upon the non-performance
of the contract.
Resolved, That the committee on the part of the
House having exceeded their powers, and having
declined obeying the instructions of the House
and expressed disposition rather than do so to
vacate their position on the joint committee the
latter of the alternatives they have presented be
accepted, and that they be and hereby are dis
charged from any further service on said COM
mittee, and the Speaker be requested to fill the
vacancies thus created in the Joint Committee on
Printing.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Kentucky, replied to the
remarks Of Mr.. FlTcu. He commended that the
cordance with law. The House had instructed
the whole committee to do that which they had no
power to do under the law, and it was the unani-
nous opinion Of the committee that they were not
bound to obey the instructions Of the House. The
committee had made contract with DoneIson &
Armstrong, and the Republic to do such work rs
the contractor could not or would not do This
was but a temporary expedent, intended only to
last until the House should take further action on
the subject The committee in making this ar
rangement, had no design of putting nancy into
the hands of the Republic with which to oppose
the Democratic party of the United States. All
that they designed to do was to secure to the
House and Senate the execution of that descrip-
ton Of printing which they needed for legislative
purposes, and which had been unnecessarily de-
Iayed by the public printer.
Without taking any further action on this SUBJ
ject-
HOMESTEAD BILL.
On motion Of Mr.. Polk, the House went into
Commi ttee of the Whole, fMr. HrBBARD in the