A Digest of Parliamentary Law

or things touching claims and demands originating in the Revolutionary War, or arising therefrom, as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. December 22, 1813.

85. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Expenditures to examine into the state of the several public departments, and particularly into laws making appropriations of money, and to report whether the moneys have been disbursed conformably with such laws; and also to report from time to time such provisions and arrangements as may be necessary to add to the economy of the departments, and the accountability of their officers.'-February 26, 1814.

86. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Private Land Claims to take into consideration all claims to land which may be referred to them, or shall or may come in question; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient.—April 29, 1816.

87. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Military Affairs, to take into consideration all subjects relating to the military establishment and public defence which may be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereupon; and also to report from time to time, such measures as may contribute to economy and accountability in the said establishment.-March 13, 1822.

88. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Militia, to take into consideration and report on all subjects connected with

1 See.note to rule 76. And further: on the 30th March, 1816, six Committees on Expenditures in the several departments of the government were created and added to the list of standing committees. On the 16th March, 1860, a Committee on Expenditures

in the Interior Department was created. The duties assigned to the several committees would seem entirely to cover the duties of the Committee on Public Expenditures. (See rules 102 and 103.)

the organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia of the United States. December 10, 1835.

89. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Naval Affairs, to take into consideration all matters which concern the naval establishment, and which shall be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereupon; and also to report, from time to time, such measures as may contribute to economy and accountability in the said establishment.-March 13, 1822.

90. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to take into consideration all matters which concern the relations of the United States with foreign nations, and which shall be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion on the same.—March 13, 1822.

91. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Territories to examine into the legislative, civil, and criminal proceedings of the Territories, and to devise and report to the House such means as, in their opinion, may be necessary to secure the rights and privileges of residents and non-residents.—December 13, 1825.

92. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions to take into consideration all such matters respecting pensions for services in the Revolutionary War, other than invalid pensions, as shall be referred to them by the House. January 10, 1831.

93. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Invalid Pensions, to take into consideration all such matters respecting invalid pensions as shall be referred to them by the House.— January 10, 1831.

94. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Roads and Canals, to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things relating to roads and canals, and the improvement of the navigation of rivers, as shall be presented, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report thereupon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. December 15, 1831.

95. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Patents to con

sider all subjects relating to patents which may be referred to them; and report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relative thereto as may seem to them expedient.— September 15, 1837.

96. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds to consider all subjects relating to the public edifices and grounds within the city of Washington which may be referred to them; and report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relating thereto as may seem to them expedient.-September 15, 1837.

97. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business, to examine and report what laws have expired, or are near expiring, and require to be revived or further continued; also to examine and report, from the Journal of last session, all such matters as were then depending and undetermined.—December 14, 1795.

98. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Accounts to superintend and control the expenditures of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives—December 17, 1805; also to audit and settle all accounts which may be charged thereon.— December 23, 1811.

99. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Mileage to ascertain and report the distance to the Sergeant-at-arms for which each member shall receive pay.-September 15, 1837.

100. There shall be referred by the Clerk to the members of the Committee on Printing on the part of the House,1 all drawings, maps, charts, or other papers, which may at any time come before the House for engraving, lithographing, or publishing in any way; which committee shall report to the House whether the same ought, in their opinion, to be published; and if the House order the publication of the same, that said committee shall direct the size and manner of execution of all such maps,

1 So much of this rule as is printed in italics was inserted on the 19th of March, 1860, and so much of the rule of March 16, 1844, as imposed these

duties upon the Committee on Engraving was stricken out, thereby abolishing the latter committee.

charts, drawings, or other papers, and contract by agreement, in writing, for all such engraving, lithographing, printing, drawing, and coloring, as may be ordered by the House; which agreement, in writing, shall be furnished by said committee to the Committee of Accounts, to govern said committee in all allowances for such works, and it shall be in order for said committee to report at all times.-March 16, 1844.

101. It shall be in order for the Committee on Enrolled Bills-March 13, 1822-and the Committee on Printing to report at any time.-March 16, 1860.

102. Seven additional standing committees shall be appointed at the commencement of the first session in each Congress, whose duties shall continue until the first session of the ensuing Congress.-March 30, 1816.

To consist of five members each.

1. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relates to the Department of State;

2. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relates to the Treasury Department;

3. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relates to the Department of War;

4. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relates to the Department of the Navy;

5. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relates to the Post Office;

6. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relates to the Public Buildings; and

7. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relates to the Interior Department.1

103. It shall be the duty of the said committees to examine into the state of the accounts and expenditures respectively submitted to them, and to inquire and report particularly

1 The last named Committee was created March 16, 1860.