Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-13

Committee OF the w hole on the state OF the Union,
and having under consideration the 5th and 9th
ciency bill relative to the printing Of blanks and
the abolition Of the Thanking privilege
Mr.. Cobb, OF Ala, said he would not sickle
about technicalites and etiq uette when a measure
Of reform was presented which In itself was right.
The Senate had proposed desirable reform, and
he would sustain their amendments regardless Of
techncalties 1t was stated that seventy per cent.
could be saved by the amendment relating to Post
ONCE blanks, and why should they, as sensible
men. get up quarrel with the Senate when they
proposed to lay the axe to the root Of the evil?
Why should they site ke about forms and etiq uette
and legislative dignity,
Mr.. Florence, Of Pa. said he was opposed to
the contract system altogether, and thought the
amount to be saved by this Senate amendment
was overstated. The saving mig ht be about thirty
Mr.. Cobb thought there was no reason why
they should not save that amount. He thought
the Thanking privilege ought to be abolished.
Mr.. Stanton, Of Ohio, said he happened to be in
favor of the propositions contained in both these
amendments; but he felt himself under obligation
to support the proposition of the Committee Of
Ways and Means at this early stage, and to vote
SO as to prevent this vile practice Of Incorporating
legislation upon appropriation bills. The House
had recognised the soundness of the principle by
acting under rules which prohibit the Introduction
existing laws. II that rule was well founded i
ought to be adhered to. and insisted upon, and the
House could not, with proper regard to its own
permit rule 10 remain wnlcn
its own members from doing what the Senate
could do in regard to appropriation bills.
Mr. Burnett denied that there was any rule OF
the House prohibiting amendments of this char
grown up under the practice of the House, and
there was no rule for it. Nor was 1t in violation
of any law.
Mr.. Stanton said his parliamentary knowledge
was greatly at fault If there was not such rule.
But his proposition was that important measures,
like the Pacific railroad, the increase Of the army
or the navy, Dug hit not to be connected with bills
providing for the indispensable wants of Govern
ment, thus requiring men to vote for them under
penalty of stopping the wheels Of Government.
MIR. w ashhurne, of Ill, read the 55th and slst
rules of the House, which, in his judgment, taken
together made it clearly out Of order 20 legisate
Oh appropriation bills.
Mr., Bocock said one of the amendments pro-
posed by the Senate met with the entire approval
OF the Committee on Ways and Means, and. so far
as this debate showed. it had the unanimous ap-
prevail OF the House. Then why was il not at once
made law. Because it was said 1t should not
have been placed on this appropriation bill. The
senate having put a proper amendment to the bill
it would seem, in his humble Judgment, that the
way to facilitate its passage would be to pass the
amendment But the chairman Of the Committee
on Ways and Means thought otherwise. and said
the committee was determined to check the habit,
which of late years had become prevalent, of
the Senate putting independent legislation upon
the appropriation bills.
Nh. Sherman said ne had heretofore cOmplained
of the disposition manifested by the Committee of
Ways and Means to monopolize the business of
the House. The present committee stated in the
outset that they did not want to monopolze the
business of the House. They wanted to confine
themselves to the appropriation bills, pure and
simple. without single measure OF legislation at
tached to them, and leave the other business to tie
proper committees. They wanted to have nothing
TO do with this abolition Of the ranking privilege.
which belonged to the Post Office Committee. Ii
that committee introduced such bill, he would
be ready to act upon it.
Mr. no fiop If no n
tee was good one, If well carried out but his
point was, why not pass this amendment, Why
not have i vote upon IT. Were they to require the
Senate to conform to the rules of the House, The
branch, and tie House could not interfere with its
rules
Mr.. Bocock proceeded at some length to favor
the adoption Of both amendments aud when lie
had concluded, the debate was further partici-
pated it by Messrs. Stevens, Garrett, Phelps,
Fallandigham, Washburne Of Me, Florence,
Quarles, Harris of Md, keitt, Walton and Rob-
Mr.. Barksdale said it was apparent that they
could not act upon the b ii to-day and he moved
that the committee rise, which was agreed to.
Accordingly the committee rose and reported
Mr.. Stanton, of Ohio. asked leave to introduce
Joint resolution for the appointment of com-
mltee to revise the joint rules of the two Houses
Mr.. Burnett, of Ky. and others objected
Mr. Grow, Of Pa, asked leave to introduce a
resolution requesting the President to communi-
state
Department of all the elections held in the Terri
tory Of Kansas since the first of June last.
Several gentlemen objected.
AT 20 minutes past 1 o'clock the House ad-
journed.
Petitions, fe.-The following petitions, &c,
Were presented and appropriately referred:
MI Morris, Of Pa, presented the memorial of
citizens Of Philadelphia. praying for the investi.
Yard.
Mr. Grow, Of Pa, gave notice Of bill to or
game the Territorial government of Dacotah.
Also, bill to organize Territorial government
for the western part of Kansas
Mr. Ashley, of Ohio, gave notice Of bill to
presc lbe the manner Of the organization Of the
House OF Representatives, and to limit the time
within which the House must be organized.
Mr. Florence presented the memorial of the ben
edciafies Of the United States Naval Asylum,
praying Congress to grant them pension in lieu
of residence in the Asylum
Also, the memorial of newspaper publishers I'm
Philadelphia, praying Congress to modify the
second clause Of section third of the of
3oth, 1852, establishing the rates printed matter
SO as 10 insert the words ledger account"