The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-19

account OF the erroneous character OF the Cen
sus report The book was full of errors
MIR. Bissell admitted that there were errors
In the document, but commended that they were
as few as in any similar work ever published
and, alter having gone TO the expense OF
81 500 .O0O it would be poor economy to with
hold 1T from the public.
Mr.. Straub wished to know if certain i'm
portant omissions could not be supplied before
the publication. He alluded especially to GER
tam mineral staples of different sections OF the
country.
Mr.. SHELTON supported the amendment. He
was opposed to voting books to members Of
Congress but wished the people Of the country
to know IN all It's details the extent, the wealth,
the population, and the power of their country.
Mr. Florence, of Pennsylvania, was always
in favor of presenting to the people, in the most
ditfuse manner possible, all information of in
terest to them; and ho regarded the Census
retarns, as information Of the most valuable
kind. He wondered at the accuracy that had
been attained, i'll view Of the facts that the
deputy marshals had been appointed chiefly
With rcfc ence to their political sentiments and
aihnit'es, but especially in view Of, as he re-
garded it, the unnecessary and injudicious
change Of the Superintendent Of the Census.
TIE amendment was adopted by a vote of
l IA to Ga, and tho resolution was thereupon
adopted
The reports Of committees were here pre-
sented, embracing many resolutions, bills, Sc,
OF private or unimpOrtant character.
Mr.. Houston reported, from the Committee
OF Ways and Means petition proposing the
purchase of the Winder buildings in Wash
ington, and recommended its reference to the
Committee on Public Buildings
The Senate bill making the Secretary of
the Senate a disburSing officer, was reported
back by MIR. Houston, from the Committee of
Ways and Means, with recommendation to
strike out all parts of it, except in so far as it
con(crs the simple authority proposed. The
increase of the pay of the Secretary of the
Senate, and the auditing of his accounts by
committee of the Senate, were the parts omit
ted. The accounts are audited by the Treas
ury Department, and no change is proposed in
that particular.
Mr.. Bayly opposed the proposed amend
ments. He thought the Senate ought to be
intrusted with the whole matter The House
should regard that body with more dclicacy
than to seek to control it in such particular.
The Senate should not thus be subjected to
the supervision of an officer of the Executive.
Mr.. Houston contended that the bill of the
Senate was an innovation, tending to destroy
all uniformity, and to cut off the Senate from
all responsibility in relation to its expenditures
The Senate and the House should stand alike
10 this matter.
Mr.. Bayly resumed. The two Houses should
be independent of each other.
Mr.. Houston said lin response to question:
that he would hold the Senators to account
ability as theoretically as he would any Of their
constituents
Mr.. Bayly. An Auditor of the Treasury is
then not only to examine the accounts Of the
Senate, but to decide upon their legality.
Mr. Houston. Certainly.
Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, concurrcd in opinion
with MIR. Houston. The President of the Uni
ted States was amenablc TO such regulations
as that objected to, and he would place none
above them; nor did he think, with every pos
sible regard for the dignity of the Senate, that
any branch of the Government should ask
such exemption. Mr.. Jones spoke at some
length.
Mr. Stanton of Tennessee, asked if resolu-
ton of either House, relating to its conting gent
fund, was not, and had not always been, con-
sidered a sufficient voucher.
| Mr.. Jones would not answer as to the usage
but knew that moneys had been voted that
never could have been in justice
Mr.. Stanton argued that rules and special
laws never could be adapted to every item of
expenditure.
Mr.. Jones admitted it, and hence thought
|
fcer, subsequent to their being incurred, was
the more imperatively necessary
Mr.. Mace would not be lacking in courtesy
to the Senate; but did not think such thing
was,involved. The Senate could not suffer in
convenience from the want of the power asked
| Mr. Dickins is an honorable man g. so arc We
all honorable men, Under the proposed bill,
he would be empowered to draw million of
dollars from the Treasury and itrequired him
eight days after to give bond for $4,000 in
security
Mr.. Houston explained that the contingent
fund of the Senate could not be possessed by
the Secretary in sums exceeding the amount of
his bond and could not be drawn upon at
all, except under the direction of the President
Mr. Mace said this would all be done away
with by the proposed bill. There would be no
responsibility. Mr.. Dickins would beyond
doubt, disburse the money properly, but this
| bill would not compel him to do 50. re he was
infallible, and the Senate and its committee
should always prove so, all would be well Bat
it was not altogether beyond possibility or pre-
ccdent for public men to prove frail, and he
thought laws holding them to responsibility
would not prove wholly useless.
He concluded by urging the Recommendation
of the Committee of Ways and Means
Mr. Ciingman continued the debate on the
| Dill I'd priut INC Ncii uo Rcpoit, dhu Salu nc
thought it was bad bill, and had heard no
sufficient reason why it should be passed. He
advocated an amendment that would leave a
limited portion Of the contingent fund in the
hands Of the Secretary of the Senate. He
moved the previous question, which was Sec
onded; and the question recurring On the
amendments Of the committee, they were sew
orally agreed to.
The billw then ordered to a third reading,
and was read a third time, and passed--yeas
1l3, nays So.
The House then adjourned.
/ Cooofo Too,,0r.Io