The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-17

IN SENATE.

-,.ai FRIDAy, April Is, 1852.
On motion Of Mr.. Gw,s the consideration Of
private bills was postponed until one o'clock.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
NJ. BORLAND asked the indulgence Of the
Senate 10 make personal explanation IN regard
to his course respecting The public printing.
He proceeded 10 read extracts from an editorial
published in the Union of yesterday morning,
and from the recent speeches Of Messrs. GoRMAN,
of Indiana. and STANTON, of Kentucky, as report
ed which seemed 10 place him IN the attitude of
obstructing the public business for the purpose of
giving patronage, or because they could not other
wise give patronage to the editors of the South
eym Press and the National Era. Taking these
articles altogether, the impression was made that
he sat in the committee as the Representative Of
one or both ofthose papers, seeking to obtain FOR
them the public printing.
He would refrain from commenting upon these
stafements any further than TO say that from be-
ginning to end, in every line, word and syllable,
whether intended or not, it was false in fact
after explanation,
Mr. bORLAND proceeded to say that he ex-
pressly declined to ask for patronage from any
body and that when applied to by Mr.. Fisher Of
the Southern Press, to 60 into an arrangement
by which portion of the printing could be given
TO him, he told him positively he could do no
such thing He wished now 10 place himself
right In regard to patronage he would not ere
ate it for any one; but when he had i to dispose
of. and the choice was between political oppo-
uents and political friends, he had no hesitation
in saving that he should choose those who would
give him and his party their support
He repeated what he said the other day as TO
the course OF the Committee Printing, and de-
Tended himself against the charge which had been
made against him Of " obstnately and contuma
ciously disregarding the public interest"
He said he was told, just before the committee
made their decision, that unless the printing was
given to Donelssn g. Armstrong, and given within
three weeks, the Democratic party would be dis
sOlved-disorganlzed
The gentleman who told him this was an old
friend Of that press, and one who had its interests
specialy in charge. He told HIM he had agreed
with some fifty others of the House OF Represen-
tatiyes. that unless that was done, it should be
made test of Democratic party organization, and
the party should be dissolved ft failed; whether the
gentleman making that statement had authority to
sneak for others, or whether he was in earnest him
self he pretended not to know but he did know that
he was earnest in his manner and that he made the
declaration repeatedly, and often most vehement
Nv. In his answer to the gentleman, he stated
that II the integrity and organization oil me Demo
cratic party, much as he loved it, depended upon
the service of a newspaper at Washington, or was
to be saved and supported by the patronage OF the
government he would vote for dissOlving 1t at
once: that If such was to be the service of the
Washington Union, the sooner the Democratic
party was clear from it, the better.
Now, he was as thorough.go party man as
anv one upon that floor; and let hun say that
when it was proposed to give part of the public
printing to press of his own party, and another
portion to press directly opposed to hun, he
would have seen the whole concern sink into the
bottom of the sea, before he would have moved
one finger or said one word TO consummate such
proceeding,
1t was due to General Armstrong, of the
Union, that he should state that before the
rangement was made he conversed with him, and
stated that it was proposed by the committee to
divide the printing between the Unios and the Re
publ;c and that gentleman said that he scorned any
such arrangement; and he did not believe now,
that, If such an arrangement had been made,
met his approval.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
On motion of Mr.. HUNTER, after some de
to supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the
service of the fiscal year ending the Goth of June,
1852.
Mr. HUNTER proceeded to explain and advo-
cate the bill, proposing, in conclusion, to ofier
various amendments.
The bill was further discussed ny Messrs. UN-
pERwooD, HALE, BADGER, and BERRIEN, and then
postponed.
MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS.
Mr.. BADGER gave notice Of bill to prohibit
the public execution Of criminals In the District
Of Columbia.
Alter the transaction of some other routine
business, the Senate held short executive ses-
sion, and adjourned until Monday.
IIOJISE on REPRESENTATIVES,