The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-19

could consent to vote it, He hoped that at suitable
and proper time this bill would be followed up by meas
ure 70 increase the extent sufficient TO meet
all contingencies When get into debt we ought TO
make simultaneous provision for the redemption OF that
debt.
Mr. BELL referred to the fact that many honest import
ers had been driven from the trade in consequence of the
frauds committed under the tariff bill of last session, and
thought that revision of that system Indispensable
He could not vote for issue twenty millions but was
willing to vote for much as was now necessary de
could not consent to adopt OF permanent re-
lief In this hurried On the conclusion of his re-
marks
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
After prayer, the journal Of yesterday was read and
approved
lied by the resolution adopted by the House Wednes
day last to consist of Messrs FAULKNER JONES of Ten
nossce, Haskell, HARLAN, and UNDERwooD.
The SPEAKER laid before the body letter from the
Secretary of State transmitting extracts of letter from
John c. Rves relative to the purchasing Of 500 copies of
the diplomatic correspondence which was referred to the
Committee Of Ways and Means and ordered to be printed
ALSO the report of the Clerk of the House OF Repre-
scnatives the disbursement Of the contingent fund OF
the House of Representatives for the last year which
was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
STATIONERY,
Mr.. CLINGMAN, of North Carolina, submitted the
following resolution:
ReSors That the Committee on Accounts be instruct
cd examine the stationery provided for the of the
members of the House, and report to its real value
also what II cost and make such recommendations as
may he proper in the premises.
Mr. CLlNGMAN stated that the stationery at the be-
ginning OF the last Congress inferior that he was
compelled to go down into the city and purchase what he
used He had complained to the postmaster, who said
that il furnished by the Clerk That of the present
session was altogether inferior II the stationery
cheap and money 10 be saved he would have objec
ton II the price paid much that paid hereto
fore, there mistake somewhere. He did not know
t.nf nf IN.
ccs were cheaper He was induced to this action
of statements OF serious character which had
pearcd and In which charges made Of cmbezzement
of the public money III any officers acted in combna
ton with outsiders and got money improperly by buying
an article at low rate and charging the government
high rate H. IL should be made penitenary offence
He knew nothing himself Of the conduct Of the late
Clerk still II was q subject for investigation.
Mr.. HOUSTON, Of Alabama, thought that the Com
mittce on Accounts had much to do without this
animation as they could very well do. II the gentleman
wanted TO examine into the subject ne thought
II ought 20 be done--it seemed to him that he
ought TO ask for q committee, and give 1t charge
of that subject, and nothing else He did not know
what had been the custom when Clerk went out
He did know whether inventory of the property
was taken or not but if such had not hereto
fore been pursued it ought to be insisted upon now If
there law, there ought to be one made now re-
qurng thorough, strict and rigid examination before
new Clerk comes and takes charge OF the duties OIL his
Office.
Mr.. CLINGMAN remarked that If the gentleman
thought proper TO select committee, he had no
objection II any moved select committee, it ought
TO have charge OF that business also.
Mr. HOUSTON replied that he did not propose himself
move such committee He thought it devolved upon
the gentleman from North Carolina to do IT, he only
proposed 10 second the investigation which ought to DO
made After grave charges had been made against the
outgoing clerk in relation TO the duties Of his Office it
seemed him that such committee should have power
10 examine the books that the body might whether
these reports were false He would inquire why
il was that that gontemans friends the floor had al
lowed much Of the present session TO capse without
having t 20 ask themselves for committee to
anime and investigate these charges He did not himself
desire TO committee connected with that sub
ject He desired 10 ask his friend from North Carolina
whether IL usual for the going Clerk to supply sta
tionery for the incoming Congress.
Mr. CLTNGMAN | was told SO.
Mr.. HOUSTON thought IL required rigid examination,
and hoped his friend would prosecute IL until IL had
the desired result
Mr. SAVAGE, OF Tennessee, stated that his peculiar
situation upon the question which had been raised before
the people Of Tennessee and his immediate constitu
ens In regard the charges alluded 20 by the gentleman
from North Carolina had been discussed In the be-
tween himself and his competitor, and more largely dis
cusscd In the for the legislature Cor the county Of
jackson, in which Of the candidates. Mr. Stanton,
a member OF the Legislature Of Tennesseea particu-
lar friend Of the outgoing Cerkone OF his appointees
here made similar charges before his constituents and
was elected upon them. Mr. \ then went 10 relate
conversation which had taken place between his oompeti
tor and himself n regard 70 the election of the outgoing
Clerk adding, cunciusinn, that ne told
one Of Mr. Cullom political friends ON the floor would
offer resolution for this investigation He had not
spoken 10 either Of these friends because IL delicate
question and he supposed that he would be regarded
an intruder II he should step between these friends,
but after waiting reasonable time he should take what
course he pleased In the matter.
Mr. MASON, Of Kentucky reviewed al length the
ton OF the Committee Accounts in relation 70 the dis
judgements which had been made by the Clerk Cor sta
onery fitting mp the old hall and the hall adding
that 10 far ~ any examination had been made by that
committee In The business q the late Clerk, they had
found no corruption yet
Mr. MAYNARD, 81 Tennessee. after ramsrklng that
the question 81 inquiry into the quality and cost
OF stationery said that the discussion had taken wider
ange and had gone into the conduct q the outgoing
Clerk Although personal friend o. that gentleman,
he should appear IN his place there and elsewhere 10
cure full and sitting investigation into his conduct
and II any member Of the House believed that snch
investigation was proper profitable he was instructed
by the outgoing Clerk say that he demanded a. and
thus instructed he should contrary 70 what his ori.
ginal intention when he In concluding his remarks
move himself for select committee. He knew nothing
of the accusation brought against that officer He had
not taken the time the trouble 30 wae through
the pages II matter that had been piled up their He