The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-25
THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WrpSEspAy, March ~, 1882
SENATE.

SENATE.
PAPKRs AND WRITINGS OF GENERAL GREENE.
MIR. CLARKE presented the memorial of G. w.
Greene, of Rhode Island, grandson OF General Ma
thaniel Greene of the Revolutionary army, setting
forth that the papers and writings Of his ustrious
ancestor in his possession, and that they form
interesting and reliable history Of the events Of
those days. He proposes to publish them, and
asks Congress to subscribe for sufficient number
of copies to prevent him from sustaining any
pecuniary loss by their publication. Referred to
the Committee on the Library.
OCEAN POSTAGE.
Mr.. SUMNER presented the petition of mer-
chants and others, Of Boston, in favor of cheap
ocean postage.
AID TO THE COLLINS LINE.
Mr.. BRADBURY presented the petition Of mer-
chants and others Of Portland Maine, asking that
aid be extended to the support of the Collins line
OF steamers.
Mr. SOULE presented petition, numerously
eigned by citizens Of New Orleans, to the same
effect, and moved its reference.
Mr.. GWIN said reference Of the memorial was
unnecessary, as the committee had already deter
mined to report bill.
AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
. Mr.. SEWARD presented the resolutions Of the
New York State Agricultural Society, in favor of
the establishment OF an Agricultural Bureau.
CHARTER OF wAsHIsGroS CITY.
Mr.. WELLER presented the petition of citizens
OF Washington city, praying an amendment of the
upon the right OF suffrage, &C.
THE PATENT LAWS.
MIR. NORRIS, from the Committee on Patents,
reported bill amending the existing patent laws.
EXTENSION OF THE CAPITOL.
Mr.. BORLAND submitted the following resolu-
ton, which, by unanimous consent, was taken up
for consideration:
Resolued, That the President of the United States
be requested to communicate to the Senate
Any plan which may have been adopted for the
extension Of the Capitol.
A statement OF the manner in which the money
already appropriated for this object has been ex-
pended, and the amount paid to each individual
and for what object or purpose, and the amount,
if there be any, of the appropriation unex-
pended.
Copies of all written contracts and verbal agree
ments, if any entered into, from the beginning Of
the work to the present time, for materials or
workmanship. which have heretofore been. or are
hereafter to be, furnished done, for the exten.
zion Of the Capitol
A statement of the materials proposed to be used
in the construction Of the interior and exterior
walls and porticos Of the Capitol.
A statement OF the materials proposed to be used
in the construction of the frame work and covering
of the roofs.
A statement Of what, il any, plan has been
adopted 10 insure the proper lighting. warming,
and ventilating the several apartments Of the pro.
posed extension; and what, if any, plan of con.
struction has been adopted. with reference to the
principles Of acoustics in order to facilitate hear
ing in each of the two halls OF legislation and in
the Supreme Court room.
Mr. BORLAND said that his sole purpose was to
obtain correct information with respect to this
work. The remarks he made few days snce
upon the bill making an appropriation for the fur
ther progress OF the work had been greatly mis-
construed His position on this subject had been
grossly misrepresented. He had been attacked by
the principal Administration organ in this city,
and ne was placed IN position which nothing he
said had authorized. He considered that the at
tacks made upon him made with a view of
making false issue before the country, and from
purpose TO evade and avoid Just responsibility
for the public acts OF the Administration. He had
been informed that the President had made con.
tracts involving an expenditure Of million and
half OF dollars Tor the construction Of the work,
and that before any appropriation had been made
by Congress beyond the one hundred thousand dol
lars which had been appropriated.
Mr.. BADGER said that Congress had decided
upon the erection OF the building, and had charged
the President with the direction of the work. He
did not understand that when a work was directed
TO be done, that the necessary contracts for its pro
gress and completion were 10 be confined to the
current appropriation for the year. II 20, con.
tracts could only be made TO the amount Of the ap-
preparation made by Congress, and. when that was
exhausted. the whole would cease; and when Con
gress made another appropriation, new contracts
and new agreements would have TO be made for
that Appropriation, and so on till the work was
completed, involving loss Of time and a great ad-
diuonal expense. Congress undoubtedly had a
-
had been made were contingent upon Congress
making the appropriations. II Congress should
come to the conclusion TO stop the work there was
an end to the matter and end TO the contracts
No money could be, and no money had been, ex.
pended by the President without authority Of law
Mr.. BORLAND repeated the statements which
had been made to him. and which had induced
him 10 desire an inquiry into the matter and
Mr.. BADGER replied.
Mr.. BORLAND said that if in what had occurred
there were any grounds TO impute motives, the in
dications were that the friends Of the Adminisra-
ton objected 20 having the Information laid before
the country. He understood that the committee Of
the two Houses bad been directed 70 prepare plan
for the wings Of the Capitol that they differed
and their two plans were submitted 10 the Presi-
dent. He took neither Of them, but put both under
foot. and. as he (Mr. Il conceived, without any
authority Of law proceeded with the work without
any plan-at least, no plan was known. Without
having, 90 far ms any one knew. any plan deter
mined upon, the President, as be was informed,
had made contracts for the completion Of the work
extending beyond the period which the present Ad-
ninistrauon might be In ofice-s course calcu.
lated 10 embarrass a succeeding ad istratiOn if
its views different.
Mr.. BADC Err denied that any friend Of the Adj |
minisustion bad opposed the call for information;
there was not a scntilla Of evidence sdordng any
indication on their part 10 prevent the call. A /
single objection could have prevented the consid.
GRAFTON Of this resolution; yet one had objected
The Senator could not have read the act Of Con. |
press on the subject. by II the President of the 1
niied ststes, and not the committees Of Congress
vas made the cole judge of the plan of this work |
The committees Of Congress were authorized 10 /
prepare plan, and had offered a reward for the /
best one; bot the whole matter 70 be decided /
by the President. The plans Of the two commit. /
tees were submitted 70 the President, who, he be-
heysd, had ssted TOR them.
Mr.. HUNTER said that the ls w gave 20 the Pre-. |
sdent the power to select the plan These plans
which the committees bad before them were laid
before the President, and, at the reaues, Of the
President, the members Of the committee had Al.
tended on several occasions when the subject vas
considered.
He understood that the President had not decided
on any plan for the arrangement Of the interior Of
the building, but has left That open future action
Mr.. BORLAND stated that be bad, and STILL On.
derstood The Law requiring the committees 10
prepare a plan, and that ii the duty Of the
President 10 have selected OF those proposed by
the two committee
After fortber remarks
The resolution vas unanimously agreed to-
7piHD nrsprNo or a nur
The bill relating 10 the salaries OF the officers of
the Territories Of the United States, and repeating
the proviso, In the appropriation bill for 1864,
which denied any salary TO those officers il sbsent
from the Territories for a period exceeding sixty
days, which was yesterday ordered 10 a third read
ing, wac taken Up, read third time, and passed.
irrossaTIos FROM THE NAVY DrPARTNrsT.