Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-30
CONGRESSIONAL.
Thirty.f fifth Csnsress-First Session.

THk SENATE was not In session during yester.
day.
Is THE HOUSE,, yesterday, after the close Of our
report, Mr.. Letcher, who had the floor, contin-
ned speaking on the bill making aPpropriatia All,
for the deficiency In the appropriation for paper,
printing, binding, &c, ordered by the Thirty
third and Thirty fourth Congress. In concud-
ing his remarks Mr.. !. said that, although he
was In favor Of Tetrehchment and economy when
the credit oil the Government was involved he
was Teadyto meet the responsibility. The fact
that this whole matter of book printing had run
into tue widest extravaganza would not iuStify
the House In refusing to full II contracts already
entered into, and pay for materials already fur
nished and work already done or partly eXecu-
ted.
MIR. Phelps of Missouri, in order 10 extend the
time for the discussion of the bill, moved that
the Committee arise, and the motion was car
ried
Mr.. =. then offered resolution extending the
period OF debate on the bill in Committee Of the
Whole until two O'Clock to day.
Objection was made, however and after some
discussion the House again went into Committee
OF the Whole and resumed the consideration Of
the bill.
Mr.. Phelps showed that the public printer re-
ceived but small share of the money expended
for the publication of books. the cost Of PAL
binding, illustrations, &c were paid to the art-
Fans executing those portions of the work. This
bill does not alone provide for payment for work
already done but also for that in process Of exc
cuton. He doubted whether any of the works
could be stopped so az to make any considerable
| saving, without repudating contracts already
mad; and read letter from the Secretary Of the
Interior, showing that the work Of engraving the
illustrations for the several books has been dis
tribued to artists in all parts Of the country and
in Europe He urged the spec dy passage of the
bill in order that Justice might be done to those
who had done the work and are now looking to
Congress for remune alton.
Mr.. Crawford, of Ga, submitted an amend
meDt, to wit:
ITO pay for the paper, Sl0i 900.
TO pay for the printing ordered by the Senate
aud House CT Representatives of the 33d and 4th
Congresses, S47 ,6l9 ~.
''To paw for binding, lithosTaphing, and ell
| craving, Sl64, 500 81.
" And that the printer shall not print any fur
Their reports Of the result Of the United States
astronomical expedition to the southern hem
iSphere of explOI atoms and surveys to ascer-
tain TIE most practicable routes for a railroad to
the Pacific ocean, nor to survey the boundary line
between the L nted States and Mexico. other than
| such reports now in writing In his haLds for
publication"
Mr.. G. advocated this amendment with con.
| siderable ardor.
MIR. Nichols of Ohio opposed the amendment
He wanted TO see the works already commence
completed, as to arrest them now would not only
| be Intellectual as a measure Of future economy,
but would involve the waste of the amount al
! ready expended.
4 After considerable discussion the committee
| arose, and the House then resumed its session.
| Mr.. Hall, of Ohio, presented joint resolutions
from the Legislature Of Ohio relative to Kansas
| affairs; which were ordered to he printed.
Without action on the efficiency bill the House
| then adjourned until Monday.