The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-08
House OF Representatives.
WASHINGTON, May 7,

WASHIS6IoN, way looZ
TnE CONGRESSIONAL PRINTING
Mr.. STANTON, Of Ky, fiom the Committee Printing
made q long report on tho subject
yesterday they report In effect That Mr. Hamilton con-
tractor for the printing undertook to do the work ut
ruinous pricesscaycely enough to pay for tho whit
paper Of the kind required by the contract Under these
crcumst he hos unable at any time during
the present session. the printing OF the two
houses agreeaby to the terms of the contract and in
single instance has he fully complied with the require
solutey dsgrscea to the country and than any
executed tor any State Legislature Besides the work
has been delayed The Presidents annual message which
ought to have been printed in three weeks is not half
DONE after lapse Of five months and there is not the
slightest prospect that 1t will be fully completed until
after the adjournment ofthc present session Other i'm
porant documents delayed for months together The
contractor promised amendment; but hc has made
Improvement The committee, after going further into
the subject say there other alternative left to
them but to enter into q contract with Donelson &
Armstrong. to execute much of the printing might
be required by the House, and which tho public con-
tractor would not or could not do, and with Gideon
of those firms have entered into bonds Of twenty thou
sand dollars faithful performance of the the work
The terms do not differ materially from the bid Of
moderate profit The arrangements made by the COM
mttee only temporary, and merely to secure the
speedy execution Of the public printing which the
tractor could The contractor has asked for relief
and this they refer to for the purpoe Of showing 1t
admission That ne cannot meet meet @ the Gosa.on o tins
alone to instruct the joint conmte Of the two houses
and ono who properly considered the subject, will
maintain that the order to let out the printing by
tract at the end of ten days ought to bc obeyed The
committee under tho law. have made arrangements for
the prompt execution of the work. and they consider
that they power to annul the contracts recently
made and which they required to do by order of the
House The Scnate's committee have declined to act
upon the subject. The committee concluded with the
following resolution
Resolved ina. Printing under the join.
measures deemed necessary to remedy any ne
ordered by Congress, and to mako deduc
s on @ s 70 sa ssS nS W s
hold the and his securities responsible for
After the report had been read.
Mr.. STANTON, (dem of KY, said have no desire to
MIR. ClIscMAy, (whie) of N: c-I have:
Mr.. STANTon-Very we'll after yield the floor.
Mr. CLrscMAs-I hope the gentleman will not move the
MIR sTANros--I did intend to do So
MIR. STASLY, (whig) Of N. C.-I suggest that the
Of the subject be postponed until Monday and
let us act private bills.
uAn, Mr., pSax, (dom) of Tenn'-"il the gentleman say
Mr. sTAsLr-I would rather say Monday we general
hr PoLx-I move that the subject be postponed till
Wednesday.
Mr s1AsrosThe resolution is in the language of the
law and the committee want to know whether they are
to obey the law the instructions the House. If they
required to obey the latter they cannot do it, and
duties are at an end II the House insist on their ntruc
tions shall be obliged to wash my hands of the subject
think il impossible that the report be printed
carly as Monday.
Mr. PoLx- moved that the consideration Of the report
be postponed till Wednesday, and would call the previous
question.
Mr.. CLIscMASI beg to remind the gentleman that if
he makes that motion 1t will cut off the to postpone
hope ho will withdraw it, as want to say something
am willing to let the report go over till wednesday
nan does not intend to make speech.
MIR. CLINcMAN-Ionly want to be in position to make
aspeech, but will not do SO to-day.
Mr. PoLs-I would prefer letting the report lie over
till Wednesday
Mr.. JOINS, (dem) of Tenn wish to suggest to my
colleague that he will simply the motion to post
pone the consideration of the report till Wednesday and
in the meantime it will be printed.
Mr.. FLonENcE (dem) Of Pal wish to correct an
erroneous impression.
MIR. PoLk-I cannot yield the floor. If do to one,
shall have to yield to all
MIR. FLoRENcE-yery well.
Mr.. HousToN, (dem.) of Ala.-I suggest that the
port be postponed until Monday and that we get done
as as that we are
detrment Of public business.
Mr.. FLoRENcE-I have objection to the postpone
ment till Wednesday, but wish an erroneous
impression which exists to great extent.
Loud cries of Order, order, ordern
Mr. FLORENCE sad-Cant state reason
1hcSpEAKER-No
MIR. FLonrNcE Gentlemen have been talking all
around and wish to correct impression
1t is said hat the bills cannot be printed.
The SPEAKrR-The gentemani is not in order.
Mr. FLoRENcE-lsubmt ask unanimous consent to
make a statement.
Crios Of i" Hear hear"
Mr. FLonEScr-I want to state why the report should
not bcp0stponed till w ednesday
Loud cries kof "order,' and general confusion pre-
vailed oil over the hall.
Mr. doRMAN, (dem) Of Ia.-I demand the previous
question.
Mr. BRowS (dcm Of Miss-In what position will this
leave the report? ~ ~
srrAFERI will bring the House to vote on the reso
luton. - WV ' VIZ '>
Mr. GoRMAN.-I hope neither the gentleman nor the
ohair VIII make speech until shall be heard.
spEAkER.-An this conversation is out of order
Inc House then refused to the demand the
previous question. Ayes 38, noes 49,
MT BROWN, OF Mss.--What Is the question
srEAkER-To postpone until Wednesday next.
MT BRowN.-l wish to move amendment.
Mr PoLK.-l object However, will be courteous
than usual i will not object
DR. BROWN proposed an amendment which read
ior Information 1t was rs follows
Resolved That the House of atves have tho
right TO direct the Committed Printing to the
IN winch they shall discharge their duty procuring
execution OF the public printing and that IL Is their duty
House.
MIR. STANLY, Ito Mr.. Brown)-I hope you will add
any law to the contrary, in aDywise Notwithstanding
Mr. BRowN.-I will not do any such thing
Nlr. JONES, Of Tenn-Say you will amend it in that
way
Tho srrAErn here cndeavorcd to suppress tho existing
disorder and the consideration Of the report then
postponed until Wednesday.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr McSuLLfr, (dem.) of Va, moved to 90 into com
mttce ON the Hometead bill, whilst
Mr AyfRrrr, (dem OF Va, proposed to go into COM
mttee on the private calendar.
AMUSING STEnLupH,
Mr. GoRMAS rosc and addressed the Chair
sPEAkER.-Ihe gentleman * not in order
Mr. GoRMas - will take my scat.