The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-14
THIRTY-F0URTH CONGRESS.
First ession.
Thursday, February 7, 1856.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr. Bayard introduced a bill to provide for the
public printing, engraving, and binding.
This bill disconnects the printing of Con-
gress and the Executive with the public press
and provides for the erection, under the author
ity of the President of the United States, on
some convenient site of the public grounds, of
a suitable fre-proof building, &c. 1t authorizes
the appointment of two superintendent, one of
printing and the other of engraving and makes
them responsible for all matter intrusted to their
care they are to render quarterly accounts,
| with proper vouchers, to the Treasury Depart
ment, and to give satisfactory bonds for the
faithful performance Of their duties, in the sum
| of $4,000; said superintendent are not to be
connected or in any way interested in any news.
paper or printing establishment; any violation
of this provision to be punished, on conviction,
| by Imprisonment in the penitentary for not less
than one nor more than five years, and may be
fined in addition from one to ten thousand dol
| lars.
On motion of Mr.. Hunter, the Senate proceed
ed to the consideration of the following report
of the Committee on Finance.
| ResOloed, That the Committee on Finance be
instructed to prepare and report such of the
general appropriation bills as they may deem
expedient.
| Mr.. Seward rose and addressed the Senate at
| considerable length, contending that the resolu-
| ton of the Committee on Finance was an inno-
vation upon the long-established practice Of the
Government; and he went into the reasons that
actuated the trainers of the Constitution in in
sorting provision that all bills for raising rev.
enue should originate in the popular branch.
Small States were equal in the Senate, and large
States superior in the House, which might be
considered as compromise, which he held
| would be disturbed if the resolution was adopt
| ed. While he admitted that the Constitution
did not in express terms prohibit the prepare
ton OF general appropriation bills by the Senate,
| still he thought that as the other branch had
always exercised that power, with the sanction
of the Senate, the spirit Of the instrument at
least required the course that had hitherto been
pursued The establishment of the two Houses
of Congress was for the purpose Of dividing the
| powers Of Government and imposing proper
checks and balances. He hoped, therefore, that
| such innovation would not be made upon the
longestablished usage of the Government.
Mr.. Hunter defended the report of the Com
mittee on Finance with zeal, contending that
there was no very marked difference between
the bills that were almost daily originated in the
Senate and the general appropriation bills.
Mr.. Toombs sustained the report, adverting
to the little scrutiny which bills involving enor
nous amounts Of money usually received, from
want of time; and said that in one case the navy
appropriation bill, involving eight millions o.
dollars, had to be passed by the Senate without
even reading, because there was not time al
lowed.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Sum
ner and Wilson, sustaining the position assum
ed by Mr.. Seward against the report, and by
Mr.. Toucey, defending it; when the question
was taken, and the report was agreed to.
nd ha Sanata obi 10 MOnIav
| HOUSE
Mr.. Pennington, of New Jersey, from the
committee appointed on the part Of the House
to wait on the President, and inform him of the
organization Of the two Houses, and Of then
readiness TO receive any communication he
might be pleased to make, reported that the
committee had performed that duty, and in re
ply the President had stated that he had due
appreciation OF the courtesy, and would be hap
Ply to cooperate in any measure that might tend
to promote the public interest.
Notices of intention to ask leave to introduce
bills were given as follows:
BY Mr.. Grow, Of Pennsylvania A bill to Sc
cure homesteads to actual settlers on the pub
lie domain.
By Mr.. Millson, of Virginia: A bill to repeal
the act of the last Congress- authorizing the Ma
val Board, entitled 1" An act to promote the eff
fciency Of the navy"
BY Mr.. Smith, of Alabama: A bill to prevent
the introduction into the United States of for
eign paupers, criminals, idiots, lunatics, insane
and blind persons
On motion Of Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, it was
ordered, that when the House adj ourn to-day, il
adjourn to meet on Monday next.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, submitted the fol
lowing resolution:
ResoLOel, That the Speaker be authorized to
appoint the standing committees of this House
The question was taken, and the resolution
of Mr.. Washburne was agreed to.
The rest Of the day was wasted in doing moth
ing at all. The motion TO proceed to the cleo
ton of Public Printer was reconsidered, and
after various motions, that amounted to nothing
the House adjourned till Monday.