Slike strani
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

DEC. 17, 1830.]

The Post Office Establishment.

[H. OF R.

He took it for granted that, if the bill was passed, it right that those who reaped its advantages should be at would be the duty of the Postmaster General to put the the expense of maintaining it. Rather than add to its exnew routes into operation, and gentlemen had said that pedition in its condition, he would be willing to vote a they amounted to a hundred and fifty or two hundred. gross sum at once from the treasury, to pay off the eighty Now, said Mr. S., I do not think it quite fair towards that thousand dollars excess of the last year, put the dedepartment, in the present condition of its finances, to partment fairly afloat, and let the Postmaster General impose this new burden upon its resources. It has been begin the next year with a new account. said, in the course of this debate, that no new post routes Mr. MAGEE said he did not rise for the purpose of have been put into operation since 1828. Yet, on look-taking a part in this debate, but merely to correct the ing at the report of the Postmaster General, at the pre-great mistakes which seemed to prevail in some parts of sent session, the debt of the department appears to be the House, as to an enormous increase in the expenses of increasing. It is stated in the report, that the expendi- the Post Office Department. The bill of 1827, for esture of 1827-8 was $1,623,893; of 1828-9, $1,782,132 57; tablishing additional routes, did not take effect until 1829. of 1829-30, $1,932,707 06; so that the expenditure of The routes then ordered did not go into operation until the last year exceeds that of 1828-9 by the sum of more January, 1829; and the first payment did not come on than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and about until May of that year. The sum of one hundred and three hundred thousand dollars more than in 1827-8. He twenty-nine thousand dollars, therefore, expended, was did not mean to find fault with it. Though there may to be deducted from the formidable amount stated by his have been no new routes to cause this increase, it may colleague. Mr. M. said he had mentioned these facts for perhaps be accounted for by the increased facilities af- the information of his colleague, who professed such enforded on the old routes, or the calls on the department tire ignorance as to the cause of the "enormous increase," for old claims or allowances, or in many other ways. It as well as that of the House.

He

would not be right to disapprove of it without accurate Mr. JOHNSON said that, with a view to relieve gentleand full information as to the causes of it, as it might, men from the great fears they professed, lest the nation perhaps, be fully and satisfactorily explained. He did should think there had been a gross expenditure in the not mean to give any opinion about it, and had only Post Office Department, he had intended to advert to the alluded to it to show that, even under this increased ex-facts just stated by the gentleman from New York. penditure, the report further showed that the excess of could also inform the gentleman, that since the adoption expenditure over the receipts had pretty regularly in- of the federal constitution, and even before that consticreased too since 1827. This excess is stated in the same tution had any existence, the Postmaster General had report to have been, in 1827-8, $25,015 85; 1828-9, possessed absolute power to increase, at his own discre $74,714 15; 1829-30, $82,124 86. The postages have tion, the frequency of the mails, from one day in a week increased from the years 1827-8, to the last year, more to six-ay, and to seven, too, if he thought it most expethan two hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Now, it dient. He could also, at pleasure, increase the speed of cannot be sound policy to burden that department with the mails; nor were the public journals silent to the the new expenditure to be created by this bill, before the increase which had actually taken place, both in their old debt is paid off, or lessened; or at least put on the de-frequency and speed. The Postmaster could multiply crease, instead of increasing yearly. It is very true, as their passage from three to six times every week of the the Postmaster General very justly observes, that the year, and even to seven times, thank God, when it was yearly ratio of increase of this excess for the last two years necessary. Yet his friend over the way, without explaindoes not keep pace with the yearly increase of receipts. ing any of the facts which he had stated from the docuBut the amount of excess is, in fact, increasing yearly; ments, expresses his utter ignorance as to the causes and it is that circumstance to which he, Mr. S., wished which have led to the result he refers to; a gentleman, to call the attention of the House. The amendment of too, of his distinction, who, I thought, added Mr. J., knows the gentleman from Kentucky will prevent this excess almost every thing. For himself, Mr. J. said he could from increasing any more, at least through the legislation see no necessity whatever for involving this thing in party of Congress. He thought it would be time enough to considerations. He never had, and with God's help he think of putting more burdens upon the post office fund, never would imply censure by his language on that floor, when this excess of expenditure began to diminish. The where he was unwilling directly to express it. His friend, old routes would undoubtedly be able to maintain them- too, from Ohio, [Mr. WHITTLESEY,] had thought it ne selves in two or three years more, if the future increase cessary to allude to some imputation made under the preof postages shall equal the increase of the last two years. sent administration, to prodigality under the past. He In the mean time, he thought it unwise to throw new ob- could not for his life see the necessity of alluding to this, stacles in the way of the present increasing prosperity of even had the fact been so; but it was not so. He had the department. He should vote for the amendment of never seen a word from the present head of the Post the gentleman from Kentucky, because he thought it Office Department reflecting, in the slightest degree, on would have a tendency to relieve the department from the worthy and meritorious gentleman who had been his the very unpleasant necessity of overloading its resources. predecessor, and he should be glad-no, he recalled the He considered it his duty, as a member of the House, to word, he should not be glad, for the matter did not percontribute his aid to this desirable result. It was not as tain to the subject before the House-if his friend from a friend of the Postmaster General, which some gentle- Ohio would point out the spot, and would give the House men, during the course of the debate, had avowed them- the chapter and verse where any such imputation was exselves on this floor to be. He had no particular friendship pressed. For himself, he esteemed and honored the late for that officer, nor any enmity towards him. Indeed, he Postmaster General, as he esteemed and honored the preknew of no friends in legislation. It was not strictly a sent officer. He knew, indeed, that some such thing as parliamentary word. The public interest requires that that alluded to by the gentleman from Ohio, had been Congress should not, in the present condition of the de- afloat in the public journals; he regretted that they were partment, do any thing to embarrass the Postmaster Gene- so abusive on both sides. He wished it were otherwise; ral in his laudable efforts to keep the expenditure of his yet, no matter how abusive it might be, the public press office within its income; and Mr. S. said that it was only was the great palladium of our liberties; the present because the public interest did require it, that he should Postmaster, he was perfectly sure, had never intended to support the amendment. The policy of Congress had cast the least imputation on his predecessor-nor had he been to make that department support itself, and it was done so--he had indeed stated that new arrangements

H. OF R.]

The Post Office Establishment.

[DEC. 17, 1830.

had been made in administering the affairs of the depart- as the gentleman desires information on this subject, I will ment. It had been divided into different bureaus, and endeavor to inform him what has become of the $309,000 some reforms had been introduced in its expenditures, which he speaks of. find in the report of the Postbut the statement of this implied no censure on the gen- master General, which accompanied the President's late tleman who had gone before him. message, the following:

He

་་

Between the 1st of July, 1829, and the 1st of July, 1830, the transportation of the mail was increased in stages equal to

On horseback and in sulkies

Making an annual increase of transportation, equal to

745,767 miles a year 67,104 do.

812,871 miles a year

Mr. J. said he should not reflect upon his friend from "In the several States, improvements in mail faciliNew York, who had professed so much ignorance as to ties have been loudly called for; and in many instances the details of the Post Office Department. He hoped the the growing population and extending settlements of the gentleman had been sincere in all that he advanced; as to country have absolutely required them. In making such himself, he was but a plebeian in rank, and a plebeian in improvements, care has been taken so to extend them as language. He felt that he had been unfortunate on the to give the greatest possible accommodation at the least expresent occasion. His language certainly had not been pense, and in such a manner as would be most likely to inwell understood, for a third friend [Mr. HOFFMAN] had crease the revenue. It is in part owing to these improveseemed to conceive that he had uttered a sort of bra- ments that the amount of revenue is so much augmented, vado, intimating that he cared nothing to what extent he though they have, at the same time, considerably increased scattered the public money. Such a sentiment was far the expenditures of the department. from his mind. What he had said was, that when such a valuable accommodation was to be secured to the people, he would not stand to inquire whether it would cost eighty thousand or two hundred thousand dollars. The good obtained far overbalanced the money it might cost. hoped, after these explanations, that it would not be necessary for him again to rise during the present debate. Mr. DANIEL was in favor of the amendment. He should not be prevented from voting for it by the consi- beyond the amount of any former period." deration, which appeared to have weight with some genFrom this the House would at once see the reason of tlemen, that it would impose too great responsibility on the increased expenditure of that department. But, while the Postmaster General. That officer, he had no doubt, on this subject, he would make one or two observations. was willing to take and bear all kinds of responsibility. In the course of last summer it was said in many places He has the power now to discontinue any post road if it is that the Post Office Department was insolvent, and that it not beneficial to the community. He has the power also had been made so by the present incumbent, and that he of increasing mail accommodation upon every route; and had asked an appropriation of money from the treasury to there will not be more discretion reposed in him by this sustain the department. It was published in many of the amendment than there is by the general laws on the sub- papers, and believed by a great portion of the people ject of the Post Office Department-not a particle more. that this was the fact. This statement caused great dissatisWhat is intended by the amendment? There are some faction; and if the fact had been as stated, there would routes among the number contained in the bill, which have been a general disapproval of that department. But would defray their own expense, and ought to be put in it was not true. The Postmaster General did not ask for operation: there were others, probably, which ought not. an appropriation, but the Committee on the Post Office and If the gentleman from Ohio had looked at all parts of the Post Roads called upon him to know how much it would Postmaster General's report with the same vigilance as take to put in operation a certain number of new routes, he had at one part, he would have discovered what and he answered that it would take $86,000. No sooner had become of the $230,000 in hand when the present was this done, than a clamor was spread abroad that the Postmaster General came into office. The new contracts department was insolvent. Sir, if this bill passes without under the act of 1827 had disposed of nearly the whole the proposed amendment, and is put into operation-and of it. And what more did the gentleman overlook in the it will assuredly be the duty of the department to put it in report? Why, that since that officer had taken charge operation--it will require an additional expenditure of a of the department, the postage has been increased to the sum of $80,000 at the least, and perhaps much more; for, amount of $140,000, and increased facilities of mail trans- since the last session, when the probable expense of carryportation to a large amount have been extended to the ing it into effect had been reported, every member who people: and the department was not yet insolvent, as the wanted a new post route had gone and stuck it into the gentleman was very ready to insinuate; for there still re- bill, which, instead of one hundred and fifty new routes, mained in hand a hundred and forty odd thousand dollars, now contained three hundred. One route had been put after providing for the deficit of $82,000: but it was indis- into the bill, on which, he was told, in all probability there pensable to the proper conduct of the department, that it would not one letter pass in two weeks. No doubt, should at all times have a surplus of funds. The gentle- that, in reference to that route, the committee had been man from New York, whose candor Mr. D. said he at all differently informed, or they would not have admitted it times admitted, and particularly on the present occasion, into the bill. Looking over the bill, he found also in one had gone on and said that every man should vote or speak case two routes over one road-that is, from the same point in this House without any regard to his personal pre- to the same point: one of these, however, he believed, dilections, and should always labor to lay before his con- had been struck out. The establishment of these unneces stituents the truth in regard to every department of the sary routes may serve to give post offices to individuals who Government. Any attempt to even insinuate that any mem- want the power to frank letters; and some man on each of ber of this House would ever attempt to deceive his con- these routes, who has a spare horse and a little boy to ride stituents by a garbled statement of the contents of public do it, may find employment for both: but, sir, it does seem to cuments, would be a gross disrespect to this body. So that me, that the Postmaster General would understand the when any member of this House tells a part of the truth, routes infinitely better than the Post Office committee can and not the whole of it, I always suppose that it is a mis-possibly understand them. He is better acquainted with take: for no member could be suspected of taking a scrap the existing routes, and with the bearing of new routes in of a document here and a scrap there, and putting them relation to them, so as to prevent the routes from running together, for the purpose of deceiving his constituents. I will not believe it: if I were disposed to believe it, I would not-at least, I would not say so here. Now, sir,

into one another, &c. Members of this House may understand very well the roads within their respective districts; but whether the conversion of them into post roads would

[ocr errors]

DEC. 20, 21, 1830.]

Judge Peck.--Silk Manufacture.

[H. of R.

Mr. POLK moved to amend the resolution, by inserting this day," instead of "from time to time;" and this was accepted by the mover as a modification, as this would give the House an opportunity of discussing the question of its continual attendance, to-morrow.

be generally beneficial, they are not so good or disinte- BUCHANAN, who stated that the Senate were waiting for rested judges. One member's constituents comes to him, the appearance of the managers, and the proposition of and tells him, "I want a mail route by my house." He is an amendment to the resolution by Mr. DWIGHT, which an old friend, and has supported the member at all times, were subsequently negatived, through evil and through good report, and the member cannot refuse it to him. But, if the discretion was left to the Postmaster General, as proposed by the amendment, those routes which were likely to be of general use, would be put in operation, while others of a different description would not. Mr. D. said he trusted, therefore, the amend- Mr. PETTIS objected to the attendance of the House ment would be adopted. Pass this bill, said he, and what in the Senate chamber, which he conceived to be entirely will be the result? Why, although the appropriation has unnecessary. There were two or three hundred bills been struck out of this bill, you involve the department in already on their table, which it would, he thought, an increased annual expense of a hundred and fifty or two hundred thousand dollars. The Postmaster General will be compelled to require an appropriation from the treasury to carry on his department. That is not calculated upon by the people. They will not approve it. They are willing that the income of the establishment shall be expended for its support, but they are not willing that the treasury shall be called upon to furnish the means of extending it. And, sir, we ought to pause, and stop until the funds of the department shall be in a state to allow us to go on adding to its expenditure, by establishing hun-itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. DRAYTON in dreds of new routes at a time.

[After Mr. D. closed his remarks, the House adjourned without taking the question, either on the bill or the amendment.]

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20.

The House assembled at twelve o'clock.

JUDGE PECK.

Mr. HOFFMAN begged permission to trespass for a moment upon the time of the House. It would be recollected that to-day was fixed upon for proceeding in the trial of Judge Peck, in the case of that individual's impeachment before the Senate of the United States. It was, in his opinion, advisable that the House should attend, even if only in the first instance to prosecute the case before the Senate; and, with this view, he submitted the following resolution:

Resolved, That this House will, from time to time, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to attend in the chamber of the Senate on the trial of the impeachment against James H. Peck, a judge of the United States' district court for the district of Missouri.

be better to dispose of, with the utmost promptitude. As to not having a quorum present for the despatch of the public business, should such be the case, it would be easy to try the effect of a call of the House. Upon the question of the adoption of the resolution, he should call for the yeas and nays.

Mr. DODDRIDGE moved to lay the resolution upon the table. Negatived.

The resolution of Mr. HOFFMAN was then carried; and,
On motion of Mr. WICKLIFFE, the House resolved

the chair, and repaired in procession, accompanied by their officers, to the Senate chamber, where, having been seated, the impeachment was proceeded in.

The Representatives, after some time, having returned to their own hall, in like order, and

Mr. DRAYTON having reported, on motion of
Mr. WHITTLESEY, it was resolved, that when the
House adjourned, it should adjourn till eleven o'clock to-

morrow.

The House then adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21.

SILK MANUFACTURE.

Mr. SPENCER, from the Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred the letter of P. S. Duponceau, presenting to the House a flag of American silk and manufacture, made the following report:

The Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred the letter of Peter S. Duponceau, to the Speaker of the House, announcing his presentation to the House of a silken flag, bearing the colors of the United States, made of American silk, reeled from cocoons, and preparMr. HOFFMAN said, in support of his resolution, that ed and woven by John D'Homergue, silk manufacturer, it was not dictated by any spirit of idle curiosity to wit- the entire process in the manufacture of the same having ness the proceedings in the Senate chamber on so solemn been performed in the city of Philadelphia, report: and interesting an occasion, but from an anxiety to ascer- "That they consider this specimen of American industain the principles upon which such an important matter try, applied for the first time to the production of a fabric was to be conducted, in order that the presence of the in such general use in the United States, in the purchase House, before the highest tribunal in the Union, might give of which, in foreign countries, several millions of dollars effect to a case which would be a subject of discussion are annually drawn from this country, as highly auspithroughout the country, and which would form part of cious to the agriculture and arts of the United States; our public history. The trial of an impeachment was a and that Mr. Duponceau, for his patriotic exertions in proceeding of a grave nature; it was never instituted but for promoting the culture of silk, and in his efforts to excite the purpose of punishing those offences which the ordi- the attention of the people of the United States to that nary laws could not reach; and as such, it was, perhaps, important branch of industry, deserves the commendation better that it should be attended with all the solemnity of his country. The committee have received a commupossible; besides, such would be the interest manifested nication from Mr. Duponceau, detailing various importto witness its progress, that it was doubtful to him whether they should be able to obtain a quorum in that House during the time that the proceedings upon it were carrying on in the Senate.

ant facts and remarks in reference to the bill entitled An act for promoting the growth and manufacture of silk,' which they have appended to this report for the information of the House; and the committee report a resolution, and recommend its adoption by the House.

Mr. DWIGHT said he concurred with the gentleman from New York [Mr. HOFFMAN] in the propriety of the Resolved, That the flag, bearing the colors of the House attending during the trial; but this resolution seemed United States, presented to this House by Peter S. Duto imply the necessity of its continual attendance. He ponceau, of Philadelphia, made of American silk, and was desirious the House should meet at eleven o'clock, prepared and woven by John D'Homergue, silk manufacin order to give the House one hour for their own business. turer in the city of Philadelphia, be accepted by this After some remarks from Messrs. WICKLIFFE and House, and that it be displayed, under the direction of

H. OF R.]

Election of President and Vice President.--The Impeachment.

the Speaker, in some conspicuous part of the hall of sittings of this House."

[DEC. 22, 1830.

He said that a

Mr. PETTIS opposed the resolution. resolution was offered at the last session of the House to Mr. ALEXANDER moved that the report and letter attend on the trial, but the House only attended one day. therein referred to, lie on the table, and be printed. When the gentleman from New York [Mr. HOFFMAN] Mr. WHITTLESEY called for a division of the ques-offered his resolution on Monday, there was no time for tion; and the question being put to lay the report, &c. discussion. on the table, it was decided in the negative-yeas 45,

nays 74.

Yesterday, the House pursued the same course as on Monday. He hoped the resolution would be rejected, if for no other reason than that the proceeding was wholly unnecessary. If the House had no business before them, gentlemen might indulge their curiosity in attending the trial in the Senate. For himself, he had no There was a great number of bills on the such curiosity. docket, which required the action of the House; it was a short session; and, if the House attended every day in the Senate during the trial, there would be little or nothing else done. He thought the interest of the people of the United States generally should be taken into conThe hour for the sideration; the House had appointed able managers to conduct the impeachment; and these managers had detrial had now arrived, and it was necessary for the Houseclared that it was not necessary for the House to attend. to take some order on the subject.

The question was then put on the adoption of the resolution submitted by the committee, and it was determined in the affirmative.

Subsequently, the report and letters were ordered to be printed.

THE IMPEACHMENT.

Mr. STORRS, of New York, rose to ask, for his own information, whether it was expected that the managers, in the absence of the House, were to conduct the trial of the impeachment against Judge Peck.

Mr. HOFFMAN hoped that the same course would be pursued by the House to-day, as was taken by it yesterday; and he accordingly submitted, for the consideration of the House, the same resolution that was yesterday adopted by the House.

The resolution was then read, and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. STRONG, the House agreed to meet to-morrow at eleven o'clock.

On motion of Mr. HOFFMAN, the House then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. CAMBRELENG in the chair; and,

On motion of Mr. TAYLOR, the House, as a committee, proceeded to the Senate chamber, further to attend the trial of the impeachment against Judge Peck; and, after about two hours and a half spent therein, the committee returned to the hall, and the Speaker resumed the chair. Mr. CAMBRELÉNG, from the said Committee of the Whole, reported that the committee had, according to order, again attended the trial of the said impeachment in the Senate, and that the court had adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

And thereupon the House adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22.

Why neglect the Why should we go? asked Mr. P. public business to gratify our own curiosity? Mr. P. concluded by expressing the hope that the House would not be compelled to go to the Senate in a body.

Mr. DWIGHT said that the gentleman who had just taken his seat, had remarked that, in attending the trial of the impeachment, gentlemen wished to indulge their own curiosity. Let me ask, said Mr. D., if the Repre sentatives of the nation have not a higher motive for doing so? Were not the House bound to attend in the fulfilment of their constitutional functions? Mr. D. apprehended that the public business might be attended to, and yet the House be able to attend on the trial.

After a few words from Mr. PETTIS,

Mr. CLAY moved to amend the resolution of Mr.

DWIGHT, by inserting the words "antil otherwise ordered;" so that the House should at any time have the power

to rescind the resolution.

Mr. DWIGHT accepted the amendment as a modifica tion of his resolution.

Mr. DODDRIDGE preferred the resolution originally offered by Mr. HOFFMAN on Monday last, and moved its consideration as a substitute for that this day offered by

Mr. DWIGHT.

After some remarks by Messrs. DODDRIDGE, HOFFELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESI- MAN, and STRONG, the amendment was rejected.

DENT.

Mr. DRAYTON then moved an amendment; which he supported in a few words: when

Mr. McDUFFIE, from the select committee on so Mr. HAYNES, believing that the opinion of the memmuch of the President's message as relates to an amendment of the constitution respecting the election of Pre-bers was made up on the subject, called for the previous sident and Vice President of the United States, reported, in part, the following joint resolution; which was read, and laid on the table:

Resolved, &c., That the following amendment of the constitution of the United States be proposed to the several States, to be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of said constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the said States, viz.

No person shall be hereafter eligible to the office of President of the United States, who shall have been previously elected to the said office, and who shall have accepted the same, or exercised the powers thereof.

THE IMPEACHMENT.

question. The call was sustained by the House-yeas 90. The previous question was then put, in the following words, viz. Shall the main question be now put? and decided in the affirmative.

The main question being then put, viz. on the adoption of the resolution offered by Mr. DWIGHT, it was decided in the negative--yeas 84, nays 87.

So the House decided to leave to the managers the conducting of the impeachment against Judge Peck.

The bill to establish certain post roads, and to discontinue others, coming up as the order of the day, it was, on motion of Mr. DANIEL, in consequence of the neces sary absence of Mr. WICKLIFFE, who offered a proviso to it on Friday last, ordered to lie on the table.

The House then went into Committee of the Whole, Mr. DWIGHT submitted a resolution, in substance, requiring the House to meet each day at eleven o'clock Mr. MAGEE in the chair, and took up the bill for the re during the trial of the impeachment of Judge Peck; and lief of Bernard Kelly, of Georgia. The report of the that at twelve o'clock it would resolve itself into a Com- committee and the evidence in the case were read. The mittee of the Whole, and proceed to the Senate for the purpose of attending the trial.

Mr. WHITE, of New York, called for the yeas and nays on the adoption of the resolution, and they were ordered by the House.

bill was supported by Mr. THOMPSON and Mr. FOSTER, of Georgia, and Mr. JOHNSON, of Ky., and oppos ed by Mr. WHITTLESEY and Mr. STERIGERE, the latter of whom moved to strike out the enacting clause of

the bill.

DEC. 23, 1830.]

rose, ment.

Navy Yards.-The Impeachment.--Pay of Members.

[H. OF R.

The motion was negatived; whereupon, the committee proposition for attending the court of impeachment. He and reported the bill to the House without amend-meant not to charge any members with impropriety on this account, but mentioned the fact to show the expediThe bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third ency and propriety of passing this resolution. It appearreading, by yeas and nays-yeas 71, nays 49.

[ocr errors]

The House then adjourned.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23.

NAVY YARDS.

The following resolution, yesterday submitted by Mr. PEARCE, was taken up for consideration:

ed to him, indeed, to be a singular proceeding, on the part of this House, that when the only precedent in existence was in favor of the course proposed in the resolution now under consideration, the House should have refused to adopt it. Could it be pretended that there was any difference in the magnitude of the present case and the former case of impeachment, which justified different forms of proceeding in the two cases? He presumed not. The same personal liberty, and the same inalienable rights, gua"Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be directed rantied by the constitution of our country, were involved to report to this House the annual sum necessary to main-in this case as in that of the impeachment of Judge Chase. tain a navy yard for building and equipping of ships with Without going unnecessarily into the merits of the case, despatch, under the present navy regulations, with the pro- or consuming one moment of the time of the House, Mr. bable annual amount of deterioration of buildings, and inte- H. hoped that his motion would prevail. rest of the money disbursed in the erection of buildings necessary for a navy yard.'

Mr. HOFFMAN (chairman of the Naval Committee) said he should like to hear some reasons offered for the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. TUCKER opposed the resolution. He considered it to be the duty of gentlemen to continue in the House, and attend to the public business of the nation; and, if any member chose to attend the trial, let him account to his constituents for his neglect of duty. He should be very sorry if the resolution was agreed to; and he called for the yeas and nays on its adoption.

In look

Mr. PEARCE replied that he would gratify the gentleman. He assured him that he had not acted unadvisedly in submitting the motion; for he had taken the pains to Mr. HAYNES said he would ask the gentleman from consult with the Secretary of the Navy, and it was offered South Carolina how members of this House were to acwith his approbation. The subject had been brought be- count for it to their constituents, if, in consequence of the fore Congress at the last session; the number of navy yards absence of so many members from the House during the was then stated to be too great: and it was manifest that if trial, some legislation should be defeated which ought to there were more navy yards than was necessary for the succeed, and some succeed which ought to fail. public interest, that the expense to the nation of supporting at this matter, Mr. H. said he viewed it as a practical ing them was greater than it need be. He believed that question. Every one must know what an interest would the expense of maintaining the several yards amounted to be excited and felt in this trial at almost every moment of $300,000 annually. The object of the resolution was to it, and that it would be impracticable for this House to obtain such information as would enable the House to act un- transact business whilst that court was in session. derstandingly when the matter should be brought before it. Mr. HOFFMAN stated that, by a resolution of the House, the Committee on Naval Affairs already had the subject before them; and he hoped the gentleman from Rhode Island would consent that the resolution should lie on the table until he, Mr. H., could confer with the committee. He thought it probable he should be able to do so to-mor

row.

Mr. TUCKER repeated the question put to him by Mr. HAYNES, and replied, that he should hold himself guiltless if such should be the case. If blame should attach, it would be to those who had not discharged their duties, by remaining in the House. If any important measure should be adopted, affecting the interests of the constituents of members during their absence from the sittings of the House, let those members account for it as they best could. He should attend to what he conceived to be his duty.

Mr. PEARCE remarked that he had no great objection to the resolution lying on the table for a day or two; but Mr. PETTIS, of Missouri, rose to ask the favor of the the House would recollect that this would be a short ses- House to allow this question to be taken by yeas and nays. sion, and that the information was wanted for the action Whilst up, he said, he would make one remark. The of the House. Certainly no disrespect was intended to- gentleman from Georgia complained that a quorum could wards the Committee on Naval Affairs; and he trusted that not be kept yesterday. But, said Mr. P., when it was the gentleman would agree to the reference at this time. doubted whether there was a quorum, it was found, on Mr. HOFFMAN said that the information now sought the Speaker's count, that there was a quorum. Experience could be obtained through the Committee on Naval Af-sufficiently proved that a quorum could not be got to atfairs. He thought the adoption of the resolution wholly un. necessary, and would conclude by moving that it lie on the

table.

The motion was agreed to.

THE IMPEACHMENT.

Mr. HAYNES submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That, during the trial of the impeachment now pending before the Senate, this House will meet daily af the hour of eleven o'clock in the forenoon; and that, from day to day, it will resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, and attend said trial during the continuance thereof, and until the conclusion of the same.

In support of this motion,

tend the court; for, on the last attendance of the House, the honorable Speaker and the chairman of the Committee of the Whole, when they returned from the court to the House, returned almost alone, two or three members only returning with them. The root of all difficulty in this matter was, in fact, the indisposition of members to do the business of the House.

The House refused to sustain the call for the yeas and nays; and the question being taken on the adoption of the resolution of Mr. HAYNES, it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 96, nays 60.

So the House determined to attend the trial of the impeachment of Judge Peck.

PAY OF MEMBERS.

Mr. HAYNES said, whatever difference of opinion there might have been on this subject before, the proceedings Mr. YANCEY submitted the following resolution: of yesterday must convince every gentleman of the expeResolved, That the Committee on Public Expenditures diency of the course now proposed. Whilst the House be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reducing yesterday found itself without a quorum, he saw that among the pay and mileage of the members of Congress to six the absentees were gentlemen who had voted against the dollars for every day's service, and six dollars for every

« PrejšnjaNaprej »