The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-01-31
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
FRIDAY, January 80, 1852

Among the resolutions reported yesterd "
which escaped notice, was one authorizing the
Committee of the d strict of Columbia to send fol
persons and papers, with reference to the enquiry
into the issue Of small notes.
Mr.. DANIEL, of North Carolina, moved that
the rules be suspended, to enable him to submit O
motion that the House resolved itself INTO Com
mittee of the Whole on private claims.
Mr.. HARRIS, Of Tennessee, moved an amend
ment. that the House resolve itself into Com
ittee of the Whole on the state of the Union, for
the consideration Of the order Of the day 1.-The two
bills authorizing the assignment Of Bounty Land
war; ants.
This motion Mr. HARRls agreed to withdraw
;f the other were Withdrawn and the House
proceeded with the unfinished business of yester-
dav--receivng the reports of committees -
A bill was introduced and read a first time PRO
yiding for the payment of certain military compa-
MES that were engaged during the Florida war.
MI. STANTON, of Tennessee, Chairman OF
the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported reso-
luton for the employment of a clerk.
He said the committee would not have reported
the resolution, had it not been absolutely neces-
sarv. owing to the accumulation Of private memo
rails: in addition to which, there was an influx OF
public business Of an important character, which
must be neglected if assistance were not afforded.
Mr.. SWEETSER, of Ohio, said he had opposed
the motion yesterday from misapprehenslon, and
would vote in favor Of the present resolution, and
also change it on the other.
Mr.. MASON, of Kentucky, said there are al,
ready forty clerks employed, who were attached
to Congress, and paid out Of the contingent fund,
and who are not recognised by law. He preferred
referring the subject to committee Tor the pur-
pose of making the necessary investigation, and
moved an amendment, that the report OF the Com,
mittee ON Naval Affairs, which had been amended
40 as TO include the Post Office Committee, be re-
A. a ~ ~ r,;ttos Acc on nfS With inEtruc-
tions TO enquire az to the number OF clerks In the
service Of the House, and to report If 1t cannot
-be reduced without injury to the public service
and to report by bill or Otherwise.
MIR. TUCK, Of New Hampshire thought the
House should not hesitate to grant what the chair.
man Of most important comm!ttee considered
necessary, and who has to pay from his private
funds, to have the duties of that committee dis
MP. McMULLEN moved to lay the resolution
ON the table upon which the yeas and nays were
ordered, and which was negatiyed--yeas ~ nays
Mr.. COBB, OF Alabama. suggested that, as the
resolution provides for the employment Of a
clerk for the Committee on Postroads, as well as
that on Military Affairs, it sho I'D be modified
50 az to make one clerk to do the duty OF poth
committees.
Mr.. STEPHENS. of Georgia, wished to know
in what way the clerks were to be employed. tie
said that he was aware that the Committee OF
Ways and Means were authorized to employ a
clerk. but the duties of that committee were very
onerous: az it had to draw up large Part of the
bills that are on the statute book, and which must
he in accordance with the law applicable to
each subject. He was opposed to increasing the
contingent expenses Of the House, which are be-
coming enormous :,n,,
the Post-ofhce Committee, and had never seer
snv nscsssity fot the employment ofa clerk; HI
ccn.;dersd he Committee Of Ways and Means
a. requiring a clerk and went on TO detailed
description Of his duties
The resolution, with the instructions moved oy
Mr.. HAaass, were then referred 10 the Commiue'
on Accounts.