The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-10

manner proposed by ths resolution.
Mr.. STUART. 4 desire 10 say w words upon this
subject, simply that hsre may be misconsruction
placed upon the vote gave the other day upon The
original resolution and the vote shall give upon this
disagree with many honorable senators ia regard
the construction 10 be placed upon the PROVISION OF the
deficiency bill OF the late session which has been
often referred TO 10 conneson with this subject That
provision introduced ia the House OF Representa-
tives, OF which ! vas then member, by gentleman
from North Carolina for The purpose. and the sole puf
pose of preventing the annual purchase and distribution
OF books 10 members themselves 10 constitute Libraries
for themselves. Ii introduced Tor other purpose
il is properly susceptible OF any other construction
la my Judgment that provision OF law does not prohibit
either house of Congress from publishing any document
for purposes OF distribution throughout the country and
to be distributed too, through the medium OF members OF
Congress That is the vie took of il at The lime OF its
introduction and that is the view take OF il now
desire, therefore, merely to say thai III supporting this
resolution, if il shall be brought to vote, shall do
for the purpose of oyding for the distribution OF these
charts without taxing members OF the Senate for that pu
Sc and show also that have idea OF evadng that
law voting for this resolution. aud had no such idea in
voting for the original resolution The other day do not
think that either resolution nnges upon the law at all
and hence had no difficulty IN voting Tor The original
resolutions and shall have none in voting Tor this mode
Mr.. CHASE The provision OF law TO which the hon
orabe senator from Michigan Mr. STUART has Just re-
ferred is in these words:
thereafter books shall be distributed members of
Congress- such ordered 10 be printed as pub
lie documents by the Congress OF which they are mem
bers."
No books shall be distributed, unless they have been
dered 10 be printed public documents That is the pro-
vision oil law. Now. the word books every law
yer knows. comprehends maps aud charts. II court
were called upon 10 put an Interpretation upon this pro-
vision OF law, charts would most unquestionably be in
cluded within this term books." The question then
solves itself into This: Has this work been ordered 10 be
printed public document! II il well known that has
been ordered TO be printed. has been printed
understand, at the expense, the private expense of
The able and ingenious gentleman who compiled IT, And
heretofore before the OF The provision OF law
fha n
number OF copies OF this chart Those copies pur
chased and distributed by the usual mode and
think the most OF them took the direction suggested by
the honorable senator from Indiana, Mr. PETrT] That
was the direction given, and given very cheerfuly too
to tue number of copies that ie 10 my share.
Now, slated when this question was before under
consideration that could have no dlfcuty IN voting,
under the peculiar circumstances attending this naviga
on for the resolution providing for The purchase o these
charts, were II not that the law. my Judgment stood
directly across the path OF those who wished to vote
Tor that resolution. ! do not think construe
laws by the reported opinion and views OF gentlemen
who concurred IN their enactment. We must conslrue
them IN accordance TO the language adopted by those who
framed them and when ascertain that construction
from that language, be hound by that conslruc-
uon And, BESIDES this provision OF law, in my judg-
men does prohibit this distribution, and II seems TO me
that il was violation of that law to pass the resolution
ordering the purchase of these charts TO be made is
true The effect OF The law SAID TO be avoided by omit
ing any provision for the distribution But that II seems
10 me, rather Haie the matter worse than BETTER because
reduced the resolution to the character OF palpable at
tempt to eyade the law instead OF founding II upon an
honest difference OF 0pinOn to what the proper
structioD OF the law should besuch difference OF opn-
ION exists between the honorable senator from ichi
gan Mr. STUART aud myself. For this reason was
opposed to the original resolution, and | feel bound
10 vote against any resolution designed to carry that orig
mai resolution into effect.
Mr. BORLAND 1t seems TO me that the honorable
ator from Ono Mr. CHAsEl raises objection 10 the
present resolution that not altogether enable lie OPP
posed the original resolution because he thought
an evasion of law which forbade the distribution OF
n
alter that resolution has been adopted after
have been made for the purchase OF these charts propo
son is submitted, providing merely for their distribution.
How Is il proposed to make this distribution! BY men,
bers OF CongIssa No; but these charts TO be placed
al Inc disposition OF certain officers OF The government not
members oil CoBgess-and the honorable senator opposes
that proposition. What, then, will he do with these
charts that have already been purchased THIS very
foPosoD shows now, II 1t was not shown before that
The original resolution not intended evasion
OF tbs law referred to- because that law simply forbade
the distribution OF books to members OF Congress Tor
purposes-not the public dstrlbuiion-but Tor their own
use. Ii was designed simply TO prevent members oil
Congress from voting themselves lbariesto prevent the
continuation OF what is called that abuse The PROPOSE
uon before US now is providing that these charts
shall be put at the disposition Of the proper department
OF the government for the of navigation, the very pur
pose Tor which we purchased them.
Thus resolution, then, far from being in contraven-
oh oil tbat law, carries out It's spirit and INTENT and
OIL the other day adopted, vz 10 avoid giving these
charts to members OF Congress- but purchase them for
'6e proper department OF the government for the OF
navgalors 1t is but niimatng 10 the Secretary OF the
Senate The disposition be shall make OF Them, execung
Tue feso uon oil the Senate already adopted IL simply
intended TO relieve him from embarrassment, because
these charts being purchased for The OF navgatos
aud being In the hands OF the Secretary OF the Senate he
must make some disposition OF them. This resolution
SIMPLY points out what the Senate think the proper mode
Oh oistfibuonlhat 49, to place them the hands. not
Oh members OF Congress but OF The proper ohcers OF the
government II does not come in conflict with the law
does not touch IT, is not IN opposition TO IT, and certainly
Is not IN opposition 10 the spirit OF the law.
Mr.. MALLORY The order for the purchase OF these
charts has already been made. That is settled matter.
ne question Is now merely regard TO their Distribution.
suppose the Senate will give that direction TO them
wbicn Will confer the greatest amount OF beneh upon
ne navigating interests OF the country.
Now, IN regard 10 that matter, | suppose there is
scarcely port country. that any shipping at all
mai has not sent vessels to California And
Inc proposition has not already been made 10 the honor
able senator from California, mir. GwIsl will suggest
@ nun 10 have none OF these charts sent 10 California al
All, bat to have them distributed upon our Atlantic
board, TO vessels going to California in order to enable
hem to reach the ports of that Stale IN safety would
also suggest TO the honorable place 500 of
hese charts in the hands OF the Secretary of the Treasury
because IT. unusual Tor that officer 10 distribute charts
When any such things az hese TO be distributed. they
are generally placed the hands OF The chief OF the coast
survey and he sends them 10 the chambers of
IN our several maritime cities, 10 be distributed by them
70 vessels leaving or reaching those ports
III m order, will move that instead OF sending 500 oil
these charts 10 the Secretary OF the Treasury they shall
be placed in the hands of the chief OF the survey
Mr.. RUSk. | no difficulty in voting for the
luton now under consideration, for the law is that
hereafter books shall be distributed 10 members OF
Congress" Now, these considered as books, they
are not proposed TO be distributed to members of Con-
kress think, therefore, there need be no diseuy felt