The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-18
FRIDAY, MARCH II, 1854.
HON. 4. S. PHELPS.


HON. 8. PHELPS.
Mr. FOOT. MIR, President, rise to privileged ques-
uon as presume motion to reconsider is considered
privileged question; and ask the unanimous consent OF
The Senate 10 make the motion TO reconsider the esolu
ton adopted yesterday reference to the compensation
of Mr. Phelps. as desire TO move an amendment as to
the mode in which the payment is to be made.
The PRESIDENT. II there is no objection, the mo-
ton to reconsider will be entertained.
There objection; and the question being taken.
the motion was agreed 10.
Mr. FOOT then moved TO strike out the words " out
OF the contingent fund OF the Senate" and also the
words "a sum equal TO; so that the resolution would
read as follows:
Phelps OF miieage and per diem
OF from the day OF his attendance ct the present
session to this day, inclusive
The question being taken, the amendment was agreed
MI PETIT Mr.. President, | want 10 avail myself
OF this opportunity TO saywhat hardly need TO saylhat
had been present yesterday, when the taken,
should have voted for the resolution then pending de-
caring the righ, OF the senator IRON Vermont 10 retain
bis seat; but | compelled 10 be absent Yesterday
was the first hour, the commencement OF this
sion Of Congress- that have been absent during the SEES.
sons OF the Senae but engagement compelled 10
be absent them and regretted 10 lose the opportunity OF
recording my vote upon that question. Ii would have
made difference, however, in the result; but only
want 10 say that am not in the habit of making report
and speech spon subject and then being absent or
lodging the question II my intention and desire
vote for the resolution Of the committee.
amended was agreed 10.
UNITED STATES COURT AND FosT oFrIcE IN pHILADEL-
PHIA.
Mr.. BRODHEAD Mr. President
The PRESIDENT. The CHAR will suggest 10 the
senator from Pennsylvania that this is private-bl day
MIR. BRODHEAD Yes, sir, am aware OF that but
took the floor Tor the purpose OF asking the unanimous
consent OF the Senate, Tor reason which will state. TO
report back bill from the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads, which desire 10 have considered the
present time. lteales 10 The post office at Philadelphia
In consequence al the recent passage OF act consol
dating The city and county of Philadelphia and enarging
lis limits, the United States courts about TO be turned
OF the State House at Philadelphia and, SIR there
are also inadequate accommodations for the post Office in
that city ask unanimous consent TO report the bill
back, and il the Senate will do the favor TO consider
il at the present lime, will state in minutes the
son why il ought TO pass without delay.
No objection being made, the Senate then proceeded,
in committee OF The whole, TO the consideration OF the
bill 10 provide place for post office IN the city of
Philadelphia, and for The courts OF the United States
for the eastern district Of Pennsylvania which
read II authorizes and empowers the Postmaster Cen
era aud The Secretary OF the Interior TO provide
say and permanent accommodations for post Office for
the city OF Philadelphia and for the OF the Uni
ted States and The Offices connected with them in the
district OF Pennsylvania by leasing and fitting up the
same for term OF not less than ten years. or by pur-
chase Provided. That no purchase shall take place
eept within The limits Of appropriation be made by
Congress,
Mr. BRODHEAD Mr.. President, this bill is in the
language OF which has been passed with respect
the city OF Boston, directing the Secretary Of the Interior
"A
courts there the only difference being hat have incu.
ded the Postmaster General well the Secretary of
the Interior, in order 10 have adequate accommodations
provided for the pos, office in the city OF Phsdel.
pbia ln New York city large church has been
rented for The post Office for which the government
pays some ten thousand dollars a. year. The office
now occupied in Philadelphia is 10 the Exchange,
which is place unsuiied for post Office The grand
Jury OF Philadelphia has made this matter subject
q complaint and has twice reported that the s9eom%o,
holding the United States courts in Philadelphia. The
city council have given notice that The State House can
no longer be used for that purpose, since the city has
been consolidated have a comm unica,ion from the
Postmaster General stating this fact and hold in my
band the proceedings OF the city sounc. have aisoa
communication from the district Judge stating that the
1st proximo the United States and records will
have to be removed from the State House in Pbadel-
phia and this bill only proposes 10 place Philadelphia
upon the same footing with New York and Boston
hope there will be objection 10 It, IT contains ap
preparation bu merely refers the matter Postmaster
General and the Secretary OF the Interior have in
cluded the Secretary OF the Interior because may be
cessaty that The accommodations for the and for
the post Office should be separate. II may be that they
get suitable place tor the pos, office and for the
courts together and hence, il they obliged TO sepa
rate, the Secretary OF the Interior having charge Of the
court, il viii come under his jurisdiction II they
make arrangement they will report TO Congress, and
an appropriation will be asked hereafter trust there
will be objection to the passage OF the bill s,this time
Mr.. STUART lido not desire TO object TO the passage
OF this bill; but as understand the provso-snd would
like TO call the attention OF the Senate to the fac'it
amounts no proviso at all Is in this language;
g PROVIDED That purchase shall take place except
within The limits of appropriation 10 be made by Con-
are,s. II is no limitation all to say that they shall
not exceed The amount hereafter to be appropriated II
they can go on and make bargain, all that Congress has
40, 10 do IL to make withhold it's appropriation. But
n il ia intended 10 impose any limitation all upon the
discretion Of these officers, It seems TO neand only
make The suggestion for the consideration of the honor
able senator IRON Pennsy wanna, not from any desire
oppose the bhai they should not make the pureh
bn, report the terms upon which they purchase
Congress- before any contract shall be entered into.
MI RRODHEAD. That - the intention Of the provi.
SO These officers 10 make provisional contract,