The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-06
TnIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
THuRsoAy, February 5, 1852,
SENATE.

during the late war from June 1872, to June, 1915
Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate communi-
cation from the Secretary Of War, transmitting
report made by Major General Scott, OF the Board
of Commissioners of the Military Asylum, show,
ing the system of rules and regulations adopted
for the general and internal direction OF the institu
ton, and the sums oisbursed. Referred to the Com
mittee ON Military Affairs
Also a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury,
transmitting the report OF the lighthouse board.
Referred 10 the Committee on Commerce.
Mr., HAMLiN submitted resolution ordering
the printing of extra copies of the last report, which
was referred to the Committee on Printing
woRKMEH EMPLOYED ON THE CAPITOL.
MIR. CASS presented the memorial of the me-
chancs and laborer5 recently discharged from
work on the wings Of the Capitol, asking to be
continued at work, they being willing to wait for
their pay till Congress shall make further appro-
priation for the work. He also presented letters
from the Secretary OF the Interior and from the
Architect, recommending that this be done.
MIR. c. asked leave TO introduce a joint reaolu
ton authorizing their employment
Mr.. BORLAND objected to the intro iuction OF
the re- oluton; and then the subject was referred
20 the Committee on Public Buildings
EXPLOSION OF STEAM BOILERS.
Mr. SHIELDS presented the memorial of Alfred
Guthrie, with report of an inv tlgatIon made by
him into the causes OF explosions OF steam boilers
MIR. s. recommended the subject very strongly TO
the consideration of the Senate, and then the me-
mortal was referred to the Committee on Com
merce. A motion to print the same was referred
To the Committee on Printing.
TARIFF
Mr. DAVIS presented several petitions, praying
modification of the tariff Of 1916, and protection
10 American industry and labor.
GEOLOGICAL suBvky OF ALABAMA.
Mr. KING presented the memorial Of the Gene
raj Assembly Of the State OF Alabama, praying
Congress TO make grant OF twenty hive thousand
acres Of public land In aid OF geological survey
OF hat Statp IA
Committee on Public Lands.
SURVEY OF THE SALT LAKE.
Mr.. DOUGLAS submitted resolution, which
was laid over, directing the printing oil hive thou
sand five hundred additional copies OF the report
of Captain sansbury's survey Of the valley of the
Great Salt Lake.
CHARGE TO SWITZERLAND.
On motion by MIR BRODHEAD, the Senate took
up the resolution directing an inquiry by the Com
mittee Foreign Relations into the expedienoy
of providing by law for the outtt and salary OF
charge d'afiaires to Switzerland.
Mr.. b. pointed out the advantages, commercial
and political, which would result from this Gov
eminent being represented in Switzerland. Ii was
now the only republic in Europe.
Mr.. BADGER Except France.
Mr. BRODHEAD would not make any excep-
ton; Switzerland was now the only republic IN
Europe. Ii was the nursery of free principles
the continent Ii had preserved its nationality
and freedom throughout all difficulties. In 1915
constitution had been adopted, resembling in
msny particulars that OF the United States. In
time of war il would be highly advantageous TO
those fleeing from oppression TO meet there a re-
preventative who could freely sympathize with
them. The commercial relations between the two
countries were also increasing. The United States
now supplied Switzerland with great quantity OF
its productions. Cotton, tobacco, rice, and other
articles found market there. He alluded TO the
liberal spirit manifested by Switzerland with re-
gard to the iutrod ton of manufactured articles
from the United States, aud urged that this libe
rality should be responded to.
The resolution wac then adopted.
Posr ROUTES
Mr.. RUsK reported a joint resolution declaring
certain plank roads TO DC poet routes; and. after
explanation, II considered and ordered to be
engrossed for third reading.
LAND ron THE INDECENT INsArE.
Mr. SHIELDS, from the select committee to
whom had been referred the bill making grant of
land TO the several States for the relief aud support
of the indgen insane reported the came back, and
recommended lie passage.
TENURE or s:ILIrARY APPOINTMENTS.
The resolution therefore, submitted by MIR. HAIR,
directing an inquiry into the expediency OF pro
vidiug that all military appointments hereafter
msde shall he for term Of years, Was taken Up, and
adopted
Troops FOR CALfFoRSIA AND oRrsoS.
Mr.. GWIN on leave, introduced a bill providing
for an increase of the military force in Oregon and
California for the better protection Of the inbabit
ants; which was referred to the Committee Mill
Gary Atairs
sYMFATHY THE IRIsH EKLEs.
On motion by Mr.. SHIELDS. the joint resolution
Of sympathy for Smith o'Btien and bic associate
e1les, was postponed till Saturday next, and made
The special order for that day
TIE cESsUs PRISrGSo.
On motion by Mr.. WIN, the Senate proceed.
ed to the consideration OF the joint resolution direct
log the Joint Committee on Printing TO make a
contract with Mcssrs. DOnolson and Armstrong for
printing the returns Of the seventh census
An amendment proposed by MIR SMITH. directing
the Secretary Of the Interior to coltract for print
ing these returns with the lowest bidder, was pend
Jog 10 which MIR BADGr submitted amend
nsnt that the Joint Committee Printing be
authorized 10 contract with Mcs.rs. Donelsou and
Armstrong for printing and binding the census
such terms az the committee may think reasonable
and proper, the work to be executed under the
direction Of the Secretary Of the Interior, and 10 he
paid for from time TO time during the progress 81
the work by the head Of the Census Bureau, under
the direction Of the Secretary, with power in The
Secretary TO abotc from the amount stipulated, II
the work, when executed, shall prove deficient
below the standard which may be agreed upon.
Mr. SMITH opposed this amendment. 1t ap-
peared 10 him worse than the original. All the
objections which be had made on a former coca
sion 70 the original resolution applied with equal
force 10 the amendment
The amendment, like the original resolution,
provided no number of copies to be printed and
how could the committee determine upon the
terms OF the contract when no number vas deter
This census printing not being Congressional
printing, but properly departmental printing, this
resolution vas an usUrpatyn upon the pOwcrs Of
the Executive departments. n Il vas Congres
siOnal printing, then this resolution infrar-
ton If the contract with A. Boyd Hamilton. The
original proposition was 20 confer upon the Union
Newspaper large prohts upon tho press work and
composition bot the Senator from North C1rou1
seemed disposcd by his amendment 60 20 further,
and give that office large profits on the binding
also.
Mr.. ;. reviewed the system pursued under Tor
rner contracts foi binding, where the contract was
taken by persous not practical biuders, and where
II was iermcd out at r,InOus prices 10 journcymon
and workmen
Tbis resolution indicated want 81 confidence IN
the ability Of the Secretary Of the Interior 10 make
this contract.
lie gave notice that, in case HE own amendment
should fail, he would uoyo another, giving the
prees- work aud composition 20 Donclson and Arm.
strong and providing that the Secretary Of the ln.
terror should contract for the paper.
Mr. BADGER said that he was not surpriscd
that the Senator opposed bis amendment Ilc
could not expect otherwise from one who Was rare
ly ever satis6ed with any proposition bot bis own.
His smsndment did not hx the number Of copies
10 be printed, because one thing vas sufficient At a
time. Let the plan upon Which the printing IL tg
be done be once fixed. then another IrOpyaitiou