The daily union., 1852-04-13


mention th on bringing the subject before the Senate
be stated the mistake of the from Rhode Isand
and therefore directed the matter not TO be entered
the Journal at all He considered the notion thus made
under mistake not in order, and not requiring vote
to recede from IT,
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Mr. SHIELDS. from the Committee on the District OF
Columbia 10 whom were referred the memorial OF citi-
zens OF Washington, and resolution passed by the
isature OF Maryland. submitted report, accompanied
by bill Is. 357l for the improvement OF Maryland
avenue, from the Capitol to the turnpike road leading to
Baltimore, and for making free and improving that road
as far as the District lines which read and passed
to the second reading md the report ordered TO be
printed
Mr. s., from the same committee to whom was refer
red report of the Secretary OF War OF the oath March
submitted report, accompanied by bill (S 35S) direct
canal basin the terminus of the Ohio and Chesapeake
canal in Georgetown which was read and passed to
second reading and the report ordered to be printed
Mr. SEBASTIAN, from the Committee on Indian Az
fairs, TO whom referred the bill (S S2) for the re-
dempon OF certain Choctaw annuities. reported il back
without amendment, and submitted report the sub
ject; which was ordered to be printed
Mr. PRATT, from the Committee OF Claims. to whom
was referred the petition of Mary f. d. Blaney widow
OF the late Major George Blaney, submitted report
companed by bill Is 359) for her rreief which was
read and passed second reading and the report
ordered 70 be printed. q
Mr.. BRODHEAD. from the Committee Of Claims, to
mi,ted report. accompanied by bill Is 3eo for his
relief; which read and passed 10 second reading
and the report tClss was ordered 70 b printed
whom was referred the memorial of Mary r. B. Levey,
submitted report, accompanied by bill Is 36 for her
relief which read, and passed second reading
Mr.. DODGE. OF Iowa. from the Committee on Public
Lands, 10 whom the subject was REFERRED reported bill
ssa) grant the TIgh! qt way to the s. Gsnsyieve
which was read, and passed TO the second reading.
Mr.. GEYER said he hoped the bill would be consid-
cred now. lproposed nothing but grant OF the right
rlan frnu IN
Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob and The road one Of
great importance. He had not known of any instance
in which such grant had been refused where the re-
quest reasonable. This bill comprehended simply
No objection being made. the bill was then read Sec
ond time, and considered as in committee OF the whole
No amendment being made. the bill reported TO the
Senate and ordered 10 be engrossed for third reading
PUBLIC PRINTING.
| Mr.. BORLAND. rise, Mr. President, to make re-
port-a somewhat informal, and perhaps anomalous
one--from the Committee on Printing.
perhaps known to the Senate, at least to many
members of il, thaa arrangement has been. or is
about to be made for the execution Of the public printing
In view Of this deem it proper for myself and my duty
10 the Senate, 10 state in my place here, what has been
done by the committee in regard to it.
For this purpose will read certain resolutions adopted
| by the Committee on Printing
The first resolution adopted on the sth OF this month
/ is in these words:
sRssoived That the committee enter into contract with
en-. Congress or the House. and with Gideon / Co for Ii,
Senate upon such terms shall be agreed hereafter
| Adopted. Yeas-SMrrH, of the Senate and GoRMAS
| STANTON, and HAVEN. of the House, Nays-BoRLANI
and HAMLN, of the Senate--2
The second resolution. adopted the 18th, uhs day.
is in these words:
Resoired That for so much of the public printing a.
may be deemed necessary by the committee remedy
neglect delay the part Of the contractor, Mr. Hamilton
ordered by Congress- The persons dons
the work. under the direction Of this committee be aowe
the same price as contained IN Mr Riyess bid for PRINTING
for the 2d Congress- PROVIDED, That In shall pay
be allowed for double composition
Adopted. Yeas-SMrTH, OF the Senate, and GoRMAN
STANTON, and HAVEN. OF the House.; Nay-HAMIIs
The third resolution is in these words:
"Rssofvsd, That Mr. CONAN confer with Messrs. Donel
son Armstrong. and with Messrs, Gideon " Co.. and gel
from them. in writing their acceptance ptance
OF the foregoing proposition"
Adopted, April I2--no dissent.
Mr.. President il is due to myself TO remark the fact
that these resolutions OF the Printing Committee were
adopted without my concurrence. | was present when
the hrst was adopted and was absent when the last two
were adopted.
Ia my opinion, the committee have the power here ex
ercsed under the joint resolution OF August 3, 1916
under which the Committee Printing raised, and
under which II has acted up 10 this tme and is now
acting.
There are many members OF both Houses OF Congress
and particularly OF the Senate, who dissent from thi
opnion-who do not believe the committee have any such
power; but the contrary, believe thai. when there Il
failure the part OF the contractor, in the presen
instance, 10 comply with his obligations, to time ant
the quality OF his work, becomes the duty, il ID only
gress that be legtmately disposed of by Con
gress alone. by additional legislation, instead OF dspos
ing OF il dehnvey by the action OF the committee
this difference OF opinion am bound to hold in high re-
spect
repeat, however. that do entertain, and unhesita
tngly express, have well considered the opinion tina
the committee do, technically in the terms OF the law
have this power to the they have exercised
it in this But while hold this opinion as to III,
power itself, am equally clear the opinion and
hesaiingy express IT, that II has been improperly ex
ercised in this And that this is no, remind thu
Senate that il has been done in part against my vote
when was present, and altogether without my concur
renee on approval Hg
In justice TO myself, and 10 the Senate committee too
must state further that think the process by which
this improper action Of the joint committee has been
summated has been. in itself, equally improper think
the rule which obtains in joint mmees--which il
| their constitution like committees OF conference, and
should in their powers and action represent equally each
its respective househas been violated That rule as
understand and believe requires majority of each com
mtee 10 make concurrent vote OF the two. or fna
decision OF the JOINT committee upon any question before
them. In this opinion, however in the others have
presented, majority OF the Senate committee have beer
overruled BY the vote oil the House conoined with ha
OF one member OF the Senate committee.
This statement Mr. President as plain and as brief Al
could make IT, places the matter Of the public printing
affected by the present action OF the committee fairly
before the Senate. 1t is for the Senate itself 10 consde
and determine what shall be done If any thing, regase
| TO it,
For myself believing that this action OF the Joint com
mee has not been proper-believing that The policy
adopted by the committee wrong in itself has beer
adopted by improper means, and requires wrong to be
done, though by authority OF aw-f cannot, with my
sense OF serespec and OF duty to myself and the public