The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-03-08


We subjoin the proceedings of the House
on the 10th of February, from which it will
be seen, that the new members have been
storing their private libraries out of the gov
eminent pocket, in accordance with long
established usage. 1t seems to have become
an established custom, and custom has in /
many instances legalized the act, that when /
a member of Congress gets his hand into the
mouth of. Uncle Sans pocket, he is at liber-
ty to run it in to the shoulder. Most MEM
bers appear to have a conscience about such
matters, that will easily adapt itself to the
temp lation offered, and the mathematical
rule to ascertain the ultimatum Of its elasti-
city is to measure the Federal pocket itself.
We believe this system of plundering the |
Government to DO entirely wrong. This
system which allows members unlimited per-
quisites wholly unrestricted TO the wants of
their public position, we believe is fragrant
abuse of a liberal rule, which contemplates
only the furnishing to members, gratuitously,
of such perquisites, as will enable them to
maintain the dignity of their position, and
facilitate the means of their usefulness. The
propriety of furnishing membess, and through
them the country, with liberal supply of
"public documents" so that our Federal leg
islation may be widely diffused and general
ly understood, and studied as the text books
of the political history of the country, will
not be doubted by any one. But this liberal
and highly beneficial custom is liable TO the
grossest abuse, even greater than has already
been perpetrated, as will be seen by refer
ence to the proceedings given below. The
members not only voted themselves pri-
vate library at public expense, but they put
gag in the mouth of every member to pre-
vent discussion, by springing the previous
question.
The stealthy manner in which this reso-
luton was rushed through, by cutting off dis
cussion and debate, would naturally excite
the suspicion, that even the members them
selves preferred to make the "grab' unseen,
and keep the transaction as closely yelled from
public eye as possible. 1t is nothing less
than high-handed usurpation of power, for
members of Congress to assume to resolve
money or property Of value into their own
pockets without inquiry debate. The
treasury of the United States should be re.
moved beyond the grasp of their nsatiate
hands, for all purposes not directly connect.
ed with the fiscal affairs Of the government,
and especially for all objects that will not
admit of debate or scrutiny of argument in
the halls Of Congress. We are proud to no.
tice that several members, including one
from this State, were found incorporating
opponents of all such resolutions.
Books for New Members.
Mr.. Chandler, from the Committee onNthe
Library reported back, with recommendation
that it do pass, joint resolution of the Senate
mo. g. "for supplying new members Of the
Senate and the House OF Representatives with
such books of public character as have been
heretofore supplied"
Mr.. b. moved the previous question on the
resolution.
Mr.. Davis of Indiana. / rise to make an
appeal to the gentleman from Pennsyvania,
(Mr. Chandler,) to withdraw the motion for
the previous question for few minutes, to
enable ME to submit few remarks in opposi.
ton to this resolution. am now, and ever
have been, opposed to this practice of voting
money out of TIT public treasury for the pr-
vate and political library for members of Con.
| gress. | regard it as fragrant abuse; and
| trust the gentleman will withdraw his mo-
ton for the previous question, that may
give the reasons, to my constituents and the
country, which govern my action.
A member. Read the resolution.
The Clerk read the joint resolution. II
provides that each of The new members of the
two Houses of Congress shall be supplied
with the same number and description of
books of public character as were supplied
to each member Of the Senate and House of
Representatives during the last Congress,
provided they be furnished by the publishers
at prices not exceeding those at which they
have heretofore been supplied for the use of
members of the House.
Mr.. Chandler. II is with extreme reluct-
ance that 1, at any time, impose the previous
question on any gentleman, and if l could be
sure that this matter would come up to-mor-
row morning, | would consent to it's post
ponement until then; otherwise | cannot do
it.
Mr.. Davis. have no objection to that
Let it be postponed.
[Cries of"Question!"1
Mr.. Chandler. l am urged by gentlemen
around me to press the resolution new.
! therefore demand the previous question, and
leave it TO the House to decide.
Mr.. Davis. All | can say is, that hope
the House will vote down the previous ques-
ton, and let US discuss this matter.
Mr.. McMullen. desire some information
on the subject now before the House. What
is the resolution!
, The Speaker. 1t is a resolution from the
!, Sanafa for the snnnlu of hunks 10 new mem