Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-26

II my duty to pursue that occasion have never
heard OF the slightest dissatisfaction expressed or mani
tested by him with regard my conduct or my
No such sentiment has been inmaed to me in the
remotest by the Minister of Foreign Affairs from
whom, well from all the other high officers of Gov
ernment receive daily marked proofs OF kindness and
consideration Under these circumstances, am at loss
to comprehend what has been the of the observ
tions which you inform were made at the Department
OF State and which furnish the Of your despatch
have the honor to be, with great respect, your most
obedlent servant, w. c. RIVES
ALLEGED FRAUDS
Mr.. BORLAND entered into statement in relation to
report of the select committee to which referred
the subject relating to frauds said to have been commit
ted on the extension Of the Capitol
Mr. b. desired TO read the report and adopt part
of his remarks, so that it might be published
Mr. MASON suggested that il would be better to make
the report in the usual way and have it printed do
cument
And, after some remarks from Messrs. HAMLIN BAD
GER, and THOMPSON, of Kentucky-
mr.. BoRLAND submitted the report; and 1t was-or-
dered to be printeds
sfThe report and appendix constitute quite voumn-
Gus document. 1t recommends legislative action, but
simply submits the facts borne out by the testimony of
individuals for the consideration of the Senate and alleges
that frauds very considerable extent have been
mitted, without specifying by whom
Mr. HAMLIN called up the resolution submitted by
him yesterday, to allow the Superintendent of Public
Printing his clerks and messenger the extra COM
pensaton that allowed to clerks Of like grade In the
employ of the Senate during the last session but the
|
WEDNESDAY, MARCH %, 1853.
Mr. BADGER submitted the following resolution which
considered and agreed to:
Rsolred That the Committee the Contingent Expenses
of the Senate inquire and report whether t compensation
and Of the agent employed to and compile
the information called for by the resolution of the Senate Of
the Sh March, 1851 payable out of the appropriation for
the contingent expenses of the Senate and if not how the
same should be paid.
On motion by Mr. SEWARD, it was ordered that An
RusSmuSSeu
papers.
On motion by Mr. HAMLIN, the Senate proceeded to
consider the following resolution
Resolved, That the compensation be allowed
the Superintendent of Printing and the clerks and
under him paid by the resolution of the Senate to the
other clerks and messengers of similar grade
The question pending being concurring in the mo-
ton of Mr. STUART to strike out the Superintendent Of
Printing, agreed to in committee
Mr. HAMLIN hoped the motion would not be concurred
in He could neither justice correctness in such
la proceeding The Senate had by its vote given
extra compensation the Secretary of the Senate Libra
ran Congress- and all the clerks and employees of the
Senate and why exclude mertorious and Industrious
public officer from its operation?
Mr. STUART opposed to the whole system of
extra compensation. He deemedit great abuse, but STILL
independent of that he might give why the Su
perintendent should not be included. He officer
appointed by the Executive and not by either branch of
Congress, and consequently officer of the body
The clerks and messengers to this branch not ap
pointed they derived their situations from other sources
and might be construed within the immediate control Of
the Senate. He thought they might just well give
extra pay to any officer appointed by the President
Mr. HAMLIN contended the objection Of the sena-
from Michigan Mr. 81 did not apply, inasmuch as
Librarian to Congress and the Commissoner of Public
Buildings likewise appointed by the President and
yet both these officers had been made the recipients
of this gratuy He thought therefore that to refuse
to the Superintendent of Printing would not only be in
vdieus but in vulgar parance would be literary making
flesh of one and fish of the other.
Mr.. ADAMS understood to argue in favor of fixed
salaries and against the corruptng tendency Of extra
compensation.
Mr. BORLAND contended that if any one individual
who had received this compensation was entitled to it
than another it the Superintendent of Public
Printng his abors were by day and by night and would
close during the He expressed his astonish
the labor performed and that the superintendent
could possibly get through with clerks whereas from
his personal knowledge of the matter he thought at
least six would be required
Mr.. BADGER said he had voted to strike out the
perintendent, having been led away by the extremely
plausible argument Of the Senator from Michigan Mr..
STUART but after what he had Just heard from the Sena
from Maine and Arkansas Messrs HAMLIY and BoR
LAND he professed himself converted and should vote
on-concur in the amendment.
The question then taken agreeing the amend
striking out the Superintendent of Printing and il
was decided in the negative.
Mr.. DODGE, Of Iowa, then moved to amend the reso-
luton by inserting:
Provided that extra compensation shall hereafter be
allowed any out Of the contingent fund OF the Senate
Mr. D. argued with much earnestness in favor Of the
provso The continual cry in this matter has been let
this 60 ii is the last time And yet he thought this
last time would come unless the proviso adopt
ed He weary of system which brought perplexity,
trouble and inquietude As chairman of the Committee
the Contingent Fund, he had been sought beseeched
and mpored by men, women, and children, at late
hour Of the last night Of session. grant these allow
for the last tme" until he almost literally suf
fered violence and been taken by storm This
had gone from year to year until it had increased to
such extent to be about fall from its weight
He wished that the Committee Retrenchment and Re-
form would take this subject up in earnest and longer
be put of with the reiterated cry Of last time"
MIR. BADGER appeal to the Senator to withdraw
his amendment for the last time.
Mr. DODGE. Very well l withdraw il.
Mr. BR0DHEAD recolected that in 1851 the cry was
then the last time, which cry had continued since
He spoke Of the increase Of appropriations that had taken
place from time tme but despaired Of any check the
abuse.
Mr. CHASE then moved to amend the resolution by
inserting the following:
Provided allowances any kind beyond
Senate"
Mr. BADGER moved to amend the amendment by in
sertng the words unless directed by The Senate"
On this question debate somewhat spicy though
playful in its character, ensued
Mr. DOUGLAS hoped the Senator from Ohio MIR
CHAsE) would exhibit irmness than the Senator
from Iowa, (hIr DoDoE,) and not withdraw his amend
ment and went give his why the system Of
extra compensation should be abandoned.
Mr. DODGE hoped that the Senator from Ohio would
not be seduced by the Establishments Of the persuasive
powers Of the Senator from North Carolina, r BADGER
as he Mr. D. had been There thing about the
Senator calculated to bewitch, and he had than
once been induced to yield to his destinations
Mr.. BADGER and Mr.. DODGE kept up the keen en-
/ 80. ..~Anr zf lnt- ~ - 4