The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-15
"ImpOsftiOns.o

W 'ho ioiio"iHg ueudte III the house or Repre-
sentatives, in which Mr.. HousroN and Mr.,
Mason denounced some of the impositions
practiced on the country by the Clerk of the
House of Representatives. We copy from the
official journal.
1t will be noticed by the Union that Mr..
JONES, of Tennessee, denounced the imposi-
ton of the Index clerks as an arrangement TO
provide for the Democratic clerks turned out al
the other end Of the auenue
The whole of this debate is interesting and
instructive. We commend the perusal of il to
our readers:
Mr. HOUSTON. Upon consultation, not with
the Secretary of State for he was not in but with
the Chief Clerk of the State Department, he sug.
gested that it would be better to put proviso to
that section that the money shall be expended un-
der the direction of the President of the United
States. therefore move to add these words
Provided, That the money shall be expended
under the direction of the President of the United
States.
The question was put, and the amendment was
agreed to-.
The next and last clause of the bill was then
read, as follows:
'For contingent expenses of House of Represe5
tatives, viz:
"For newspapers for members, five thousand
dollars;
"For horses and carriages one tboussnd ono
hundred dollars;
"For clerks, messengers, pa GEES and laborers
ten thousand five hundred dollars;
"For clerks on maps for the use of the Commit
tee on Public Lands, seven thousand five hundred
dollars;
"For folding documents for members, four thou
sand dollars;
"For clerks on index of private claims twenty
eight tlOOsa 1oIt
and fifty cents;
"For miscellaneous items, three thousand dol
lars.'
MIR. HOUSTON. move to amend the last item
OF that clause by striking out the word ''three'
and inserting 'ssix'' in lieu thereof. There are
some mscellanies which have not taken into view.
and think, therefore, that the amount had better
De increased to six thousand dollars
Mr.. STANLY. oppose that amendment for
the purpose OF calling the attention of the House,
and OF the honorable chairman of the Committee
on Ways and Means, to that item of the clause
whlch relates to maps for the use of the Committee
ON Public Lands. hope some gentleman will be
aoe TO give US some information upon that point.
understand that's great deal of money has been
wasted upon these maps, and that when they have
been prepared they have been thrown aside as en-
hreiy useless, after costing two three thou
sano ooHars. Perhaps, too, the Committee
ways and Means, or the Committee on Accounts
may be able to give us some Information with re
ference to the clerks employed the index of pri-
waite claims Many years ago an honorable col
league OF mine, now a member of this House,
asked for these clerks for a few months and at
another session of Congress they were asked for
again for few months; and so it has been going
on for years, and they have not yet finished their
business. Now friends the Democrats are
coming into power, and they will have full sweep
OF all the offices, and they find places for these
CLERKS at the other end of the and thus save
this much to the contingent fund.
MIR. HOUSTON. No doubt the latter mart Of
genteman's advice will be, to great extent, fol
lowed. 1t will, therefore, be traceable to him as
very influential member of the opposite political
organization of the country, that he advised those
coming into power to make removals.
Mr.. STANLY. Oh, no. not at nl.
Mr.. HOUSTON. I agree aDith the geuiienan from
North Carolina, that these i,lder clerks are an i'm
position upon the country believe they have been
there too long, and that the index has cost great
deal too much But understand that the work
Is now nearly completed, and the Clerk of the
House has sent in no estimate for il for the next
fiscal year. Sn much on that subject
With regard to the preparation of maps for the
Committee on Public Lands wish 10 say to the
gentleman from North Carolina, that the labor of
the clerks SO employed, when il s complet-
ed-but very little of it, it seems to me, ever e
completed--ls very valuable. have made per-
sonai examination into this subject, within the last
ten Gays, and have bad conferences with regard to
II with the Commissioner of the Land Office, and
other gentlemen connected with the land DEPART
ment, and am satisfied that these maps are vastly
useful to the country when they are completed
hey are OF great Importance, and should not be
dispensed with.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. | wish to ask the
chairman of the Committee on WAYS and Means
a question, for the sake of information which
perhaps, should have asked sooner. wish to
ASCERTAIN how much that index of private claims
has cost up to the present time?
Mr.. HOUSTON. do not know, and therefore
cannot answer the question
Mr. Mem ULLEN. 1t has cost between twenty
and thirty thousand dollars.
HOTJCTON 7
do not know the precise amount. was going ON
TO say, when waa interrupted, that while think
that these maps are OF great utility and that they
snooid not be dispensed with, believe that the
force at present in the Land Office can discharge
All the duties of that Office without an additional
force for this purpose. am willing to vote and
snail VOTE to make no additional appropriation for
CLERKS upon this particular branch of the public
service The proposition here is to give an amount
OF pay for this year. There is a deficiency, and
: is necessary to pass this appropriation to con-
Tor what they have done during the present wear.
shall vote.
MI. FLORENCE. move to amend the amend.
ment proposed by the Committee on Wave and
Means, BY striking out the words ..sir AousandJ
.na inserting "fs0enfyfour thousanS nine hundred
Mr.. Chairman, offer that amendment becapea
ma, Is the amount asked for by a communication.
4 unorstand u correctly, made BY the CLERK of
ne House to the Committee of Ways and Means |
10 no. mean to say that it is precisely the amount
necessary to be appropriated, but do mean to saw
noeeo, ! can prove concusively that it is the
asked Tor, as absolutely necessary, and
nat 1t 49, In the sense in which il is generally un-
ieretood,a deficiency. It is the practice, / be-
ieve. and has been for long time, to make appro-
with view to the contingent expenses
Vnich may accrue on account of the sickness and
necessary detention of members for boxes for mem,
'ers, and for other items which have before me
mongst which are several sums now due Twill
eao the items and amounts in order that the
ommlttee may be informed of the items for which
nls amendment has been proposed. | will read II
hat It may be opposed or combatted by others who
now more OF these matters than do-thouebI
ave taken some paine 10 be correctly and nertic-
ariy informed upon the subject f'''
me. Inc nrst item is for detention of members by
:, ~ hsss part OF which lie now due. 1t
as seen the practice of the House, when any of
= memoers have been detained for two or three
,eeks ~ ecckness, the Sergeant. at Arms or the
peaker, whichever has the authority to do it, pays
ne'r per dism up to the day they leave Washing
on' inns mas been the pr ctice. have time
explain now 1t is or why it is that ii is Ipre-
uane the TACT ie already known to the House; il il