The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-17

T.
vEns ia relation TO the constitution OF this committee
That gentleman Ia old aud able lawyer and went right
to the head Of The difficulty il there be any If this com
with tive have right to direct them we were To
pass many resolves for that purpose they would
not be worth the paper they were written ON. They
would be The merest chai for rise above this
law II you would strike the substance OF this case
you will Ind that II there be any difficulty whatever il is
in the constitution OF the committee. There is an old
maxim very good one II is too-t would be well
II this House would adopt ilthat" what man does by
another he does himself" Now have given this ques.
ton but moments thought, and conclude there can be
mlttee
MIR. STEVENS. OF Pennsylvania will the gentle
man a., allow y me Ell TO ask him question H ~.
Mr. FARMER Oh, certainly.
Mr. STEVENS. wish TO inquire whether this House
can delegate It's legislative powers per and whether it
can delegate its judicial powers per and whether the
choice oil the committee Is not one OF them ft a
Mr.. PARKER. This House has no Legislative powers
per nor has il any judicial powers per It has GER
tain official duties TO perform, and presume il will be lis
own Judge OF the in which those duties are 10 be
performed. My friend from Pennsylvan was here at
the opening OF the session and why did he not nterpose
objections then TO this mode oil constituting this commit
tee ! The Judgment has gone by default, and too
many days have now passed TO allow motion 10 be en-
ertained 10 set il aside for trial suppose, too. il
would now be work OF supererogaon, and my friend
Is TOO old and wise lawyer to demand trial when
he knows the judgment must still be the same That
would bs cupabIe creation of costs The decision OF
the Speaker would OF course be the same, and the de-
cision Of the House would be the same The Speaker
decided this matter on yesterday when the point
made and there was no appeal from his decision con-
gress have settled II by tact from the open
ing OF the session. when the Speaker must have been
guilty OF usurpaton when he exercised The right the
authority, and power to constitute this committee Just
II il. And, sir, understand that in this we did only
what our predecessors have in like manner done.
Now, Mr. Speaker what is there so terrible in this
wrought upon. tell gentlemen that this law with all
the power gives this committee, was made Tor wise,
practical purposes No other law than just such one
Try has for years been engaged in extensive system of
public works Millions and millions Of dollars have
been expended-and, had almost said. millions Of mil
onsin the public improvements in the different States
Yet what is the fact in regard to these works! have
had occasion 10 look into them, not only my own
State but in New York, Massachusetts,, Pennsylvania,
and Ohio, and in every instance where the work was
being constructed under general law the whole matter
in relation 10 contracts where made, the progress and
kind OF work. is referred to the engineer in charge.
| Mr.. VENABLE. Do | understand my friend from
Indiana TO say that this committee is wholly irresponsi
BILE to the House 'that, under the law the House
not control or restrain Them
Mr. PARKER. | do, most unequvocally and abso
lutely IN all cases covered by this law as deem this
case covered.
the House, cannot have any farther control the
matter aE
Mr. PARKER. So far as the law covers this case
their power is supreme. The law made il There can
be no mistake about it. But was going on 10 elucidate
this question say that when assume, body, 10
settle these difficulties we load very large gun to shoot
small game and game, too, that is the wing The
committee, most wisely, have absolute control this
matter. They not required 10 report 10 the House in
relation TO at all and am only surprised that the com
mtlee have gwen way 10 the responsibility and decacy
OF their situation much TO have done it. II only
shows their great decacy, and their disposition not 10
act further than the majority OF the members upon this
oo would approve were they placed in their situation
i not that they We're required 10 do
i Mr.. FREEMAN desire 10 call the attention OF the
gentleman TO this very point for the gentlemans remarks
I2UrR N my dash IN fhau ltan-
ton OF the gentleman to this interrogaory How was
this matter brought before the House
MIR. PARKER Out OF order.
MI. FREEMAN. Not by regular report OF the COM
mt,ee, but by the Introduction OF resolution by the gen
ileman from Mississippi [Mr. BRows,l calling the at
tentlon OF the House TO the subject se,
| Mr.. PARKER. That out of order.
Mr. FREEMAN. Thereby forcing the committee to
make report, which was commenced 10 be made YER
up the motion made to print that report by the gentle
man from New York, MIR. HAvES.l Upon that motion
this whole debate has ensued concur with the gentle.
man from Indiana that the whole matter has been OF
order from beginning TO end Ii has been of place
and II ought TO be laid upon the table
Mr.. PARKER II seems 10 me that there can be moth
ing clearer This rule made in connexion with that
body at the other end OF the Capitol and we cannot alter
it ourselves, II we desire sfU
Mr.. STEVENS, Of Pennsylvania. | understand the
motion made TO refer bill in connection with this
subject, 10 The Committee the Judiciary, with nsroc-
tons to them 10 report back bill providing plan for
matter to that committee ota.sa
Mr.. STEVENS. Well, understand they are instructed
10 report back bill upon this subject Do understand
the gentleman 10 say we cannot do that?
/ Mr. PARKER. understand that we have a id,o al.
ready IN reference TO the case and that cannot in
terere with the duties under the law OF the Committee
on Printing Why, sir, in this debate, are, we are
proceeding, mixing up with the duties OF this committee
all the politics of The country. We have nothing TO
do with them in this wise
| Mr.. CLINGMAN. Will the gentleman allow me 10
ask him single question agree with the gentleman
from Indiana, that the public printing has been given 10
Mr. Hamilton and If there has been any neglect upon his
part, this committee have ample powers 10 remedy it,
They may go and get the work done, and make him
pay the difference in the cost of printing, il be above
his contract prices. But will inquire OF the gentleman
whether, they shall find that he is incapable OF doing
the work, they authorized under this law 10 make
contract for the entire prn,ng-that rs, Tor the printing
hereafter to be ordered
Mr. PARKER. If tbe gentleman will tell me what's
the meaning OF the phrase or TO refuse the work Alto
geherr shall probably be able to bis question
TO his satisfaction.
Mr.. CLlNGMAN. That has reference 10 work already
ordered and delivered to him for execution.
Mr.. PARKER. l do not so understand IT, "a
MIR. CLtNGMAN. DO understand the gentleman 10
say that they proceed upon his bond DO under
stand the gentleman lawyer TO say that he believes
they could make the securities Of the public printer liable
for his nonerecuon Of the work ordered by Congress,
but never delivered TO him
Mr.. FREEMAN. Here is the contract 1t states that
the printing shall be for the term Of the Thirty second
Congress
Mr.. CLINGMAN. 1 desire TO ask
| MIR. PARKER will submit 10 no further Interrupt
ton. want TO finish what have 10 say, and then the
gentleman can get the floor. want to make my posi-