Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-02

be appointed to superinteDd and aid In the preps-
ration of catalogue, abstract, and index Of the
original documents and papers Of the United
Safes
Mr. slidell introduced bill making the silver
coin Of the country legal tender, to the amount
of Sa5 made the o der Of the day for the 18th.
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee on Claims,
reported bill to indemnify the master ana own
en Of the Spanish schooner Armistead and het
cargo.
A mino- ity report on the same subjeot was also
submitted by member ofthe Committee
nj. Hunter, from finance committee. repoIta
bill making an appropriation for the payment
OF invalid and other pensions; passed.
In THE HoUsE, to-day, the consideration Of the
bill providing for the greater safety Of the lives OF
passengers on ocean steamers was postponed
until the 9th instant, and the amendments pro-
posed by the Committee Of Commerce were or
dered to be printed.
On motion Of Mr.. Harris, Of III, the time for
Ia Ing testimony In the Nebraska election case
was extended sixty days.
On motion of Nc. Phelps, the House then went
into Committee of the hole, and took up for
confederation the bill for supplying deficiency
In the appropriation for printing, &c ordered
by the Thirty third and Thirty fourth Cong TESS.
Mr.. Houston, Of Ala. was Of the opinion that
II Is in the power Of the House TO reduce the
price Of printing even after the election 81 the
printer has been had He thong bit IA was In the
power OF the House to rescind the order for pub
fishing books. and TO so alter that order as TO
reduce the number Of books order d Even afte:
the contract for printing had been made, IL the
works have not been commenced, the House mas
still the right to reduce the amount Of printing
or rescind so much Of the order includes the
work not vet finished
Mr.. Phelps submitted an amendment, direct
ing the joint Committee on Printing to inquire
into the eNpedency OF resembling the order for
any portion of the printing which has been
deTed
Mr.. p. stated, In support Of his amendment,
that IL IL is xpedient 10 diminish the amount OF
printing ordered the committee can make such
Inquiries "a shall enable the House TO decide adj
vantaSeously in relation to the matter. As the
printing is ordered by resolution 1t can be re-
sclnded by resolution. liz the committee find
that IL will be expejient To suspend the publica-
ton Of any work not yet commenced, d report on
the matter may he made tomorrow.
Mr.. Sewa said il the amendment il worth
| anything, IL shows that the whole matter should
be left to the Committee before any Legislation
whatever is had on the subject. He inquired by
what rule an equitable compensation for the
printing already done could be decided upon
He opposed the amendment
The amendment was adopted
AIT Houston otert d a further amendment con-
corning SdvertIslIg for proposals for any works
ordered by the Departments of Government.
This amendment gave rise TO considerable de-
bate on the point Of order involved in the amend
ment, as to whether IL german TO the sub-
ject matter Of the bill nnder cons Iteration
Mr.. II. illustrated his amendment by referring
to the present practice Of advertising for the Sc.
vice of the Departments in three of the papers Of
this city. His amendment provides that the said
printing shall only be inserted in two of the city
papers
Mr.. Boyce offered an amendment, and that
hereafter no order for printing should be- yivsn
until the matter is prepared, aud that no addi
tions shall thereafter be made thereto
Mr.. b. urged the passage of this amendment
as Its effect would be effective in preventing a
waste of money in this manner in future
Mr.. LovejCy Of Illinois inquired whether any
part OF the moneys contemplated to be approprf-
sted were to 90 to Mr.. Philips as compensation
for his political services.
MIR. Phelps announced that, under the amend
ment he offered, neither MIR. r. nor any one else
could get any money for printing, except for
work done.
Mr.. Garnett of Va. offered an amendment pro-
hibiting the printing Of any extra copies OF any
document, unless by joint resolution
The amendment was adOpted-afi rmatve 80,
negative not counted.
This matter was still under consideration when
our report closed.