continue the work, no matter what the report of the special committee may be.

But while I am willing to vote this appropriation, I desire to say that I will vote it that the work which has been begun may go on, and not because the class of persons who excite so much of the sympathy of the gentleman from Kentucky are out of employment. I do not recognize the right of any class of persons to come here in person, or by their representative, and demand that appropriations be made to give them employment. Such ideas, sir, as have been advanced upon this floor by the honorable gentleman from Kentucky should, in my judgment, be met by the unqualified reprobation of this House and the country. These ideas are but the reflex of those of the French school of communism and the right to labor, which erected the barricades in the streets of Paris in 1848, and from the destructive tendencies of which, France has sought present repose by the restoration of the Empire under the military rule of Napoleon II.

Now, sir, 1 desire to do all I can to relieve the mind of the honorable gentleman from Kentucky from his distressing alarms, in reference to the imaginary rights of the persons whom he defends with such remarkable energy; and I assure him, sir, with the utmost sincerity, that I do not intend to go in the stilly hour of night, and burglariously run off with the countless tons of granite and gneiss, to which his friends have given order and design, for the foundations to the additions to the Capitol. Nor do I suppose that the special committee have any serious design to perpetrate such an act of Vandalism; and I assure that gentleman that I do not believe, therefore, that it will be at all incumbent upon him to take his station upon those walls, and there to keep watch and ward to guarantee their sanctity, or to expose himself thereby to the buffetings of the bleak winds until the melancholy notes of the curfew shall summon him to his nightly repose. I hope I may contribute to the gentleman's composure, by saying to him and to this House, that I shall interpose no obstacle to the prosecution of this work.

Mr. Chairman, I desire to say that in reference to this work, I have no feelings of opposition to indulge. I have not been a constant attendant upon the deliberations of the committee, but I heard and took notes of the testimony until I was perfectly satisfied that the work is sufficient for the purposes for which it is designed, and up to a late day I was prepared to pronounce that judgment before this House. When a portion of the wall, however, was removed by the direction of the honorable chairman of the committee, a state of facts was disclosed somewhat conflicting with the testimony upon which I relied most.

[Here the hammer fell.]

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky. I propose to amend the amendment, by adding one dollar to the sum intended to be appropriated. I do it, not with a view that the amendment shall be adopted, nor for the purpose of saying anything in addition to what I said yesterday in regard to the materials of which the foundations are constructed or the character of the workmanship, but simply to afford me an opportunity of replying to the excited remarks of the honorable gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. WALLACE,] who, it seems to me, has worked himself into an unnecessary rage over what I said. Now, sir, if that gentleman will put himself to the trouble of referring to my speech, reported in the Globe of this morning, he will see that the remarks to which he takes such exception applied only to the chairman of the special committee, [Mr. MCNAIR,] although from what the chairman had previously said, I might, with much propriety, have embraced him [Mr. WALLACE] in the same category. When I spoke, I did not even

know that the gentleman was a member of that

committee; and if I ever did know it, it had been forgotten. He need not be disturbed with the idea that any portion of my remarks were intended for him, for he was furthest from my thoughts. I knew him to be a gentleman of great intelligence, as he has shown himself to be of fiery eloquence; and whether he had practical information or not upon the subject under discussion, I should have accorded to him too much jugment not to see that all the clamor which has been raised against this work, arising from the investigation which has been instituted, was unjust, as well as silly and ridiculous.

I made no attack upon the members of the committee. If the gentleman listened to my speech he knows I did not. I intended none. I designed simply, in the remarks which I was about to submit to the committee, to explain the amendment which I had offered, and inform the House as to the necessity of the appropriation asked. If I had not been interrupted, I should simply have done this 1 and taken my seat. But one of the gentleman's colleagues [Mr. WooDWARD] interrupted me, by submitting a question to the chairman of the special committee, [Mr. MCNAIR,] who rose in his place, made a speech, and led this House to believe that you, sir, entertained the same absurd opinions in regard to the foundations that he had expressed. Mr. WALLACE. Which one of my colleagues does the gentleman refer to?

The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Kentucky yield the floor?

Mr. STANTON. Oh, yes; if he desires it. I shall be polite to him, and allow him to say what he wishes, though I could not. Now, sir, your chairman, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, was the first to allude to the action of the committee. He brought the subject up, and you have to thank him, not me, for associating you with the absurd conclusions to which he had come. What did he say when appealed to by the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. WOODWARD] to know when the committee would report? I read from the report of his remarks:

"The investigation has been going on regularly, and WE are almost ready to report."

He says "we," which includes you with the rest of the committee, if I understand the meaning of the word. "We have found the walls in a dreadful condition."

He is misrepresenting you, not me.

"We have found the walls in a dreadful condition-in a condition which has astonished US ALL."

The word "we" is not broad and comprehensive enough, in the judgment of the speaker, to embrace the gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. WALLACE,] and he uses one of more enlarged signification, and says US ALL.

"When we came to examine it, we found that wall with on the inside."

shells built up on the outside, and small stones thrown in

Here, then, is the first intimation given to the House, that the committee designed to make any such foolish report as that language implies. I did not introduce any allusion to it until this development was made by the chairman, and I confined what I had to say to him alone. If he had not broached the subject, I should not have referred to it. I could not have thought that his intelligent colleagues would concur with him in his strange conclusion as to the instability of the foundations, and therefore meditated no attack upon the members of the committee, as the gentleman seems to suspect. I am happy to find, by the manifestations of to-day, that all the members do not concur with the chairman. This is all, sir, that I deem it necessary to say in reply to the gentleman from

South Carolina.

Mr CHANDLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the amendment offered by the gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr. STANTON.]

Mr. WALLACE. I will esteem it a favor, if the honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania will allow me five minutes to conclude what I have to

say.

Mr. CHANDLER. I am persuaded that 1 cannot do half the good that the gentleman from South Carolina can do, and I therefore yield the floor to him with great pleasure.

Mr. WALLACE. Mr. Chairman, I am much indebted to the courtesy of the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. CHANDLER.] When, by the rules of the House, my remarks were suspended, I was proceeding to say that the examination made of an interior portion of the wall disclosed a state of facts somewhat conflicting with the testimony upon which I placed the most reliance. It was stated by a witness, who was. examined before the committee, that the wall is solid masonry throughout. The investigation which followed does not sustain that testimony, if I understand the true meaning of the witness. It appeared, upon examination, that a portion of the interior structure is composed of what is called "rubble,' and mortar; that is, of small stones thrown in,

without much attention to the order in which they are placed, and the interstices filled in with morar or cement, with the view to form a conglomerate. I was upon the wall, sir, but a very short time. The examination was commenced when I was not present. I attended, with several members of the committee, at the time referred to, at the special request of the honorable chairman of the committee, [Mr. McNAIR,] and this House has been informed by the gentleman from Kentucky, that he, too, faithful to his trust, was with the spectators above, watching intently the progress of the inves tigation; and what he saw, doubtless gave point to the characteristic tirade which he pronounced here yesterday, and to which the honorable gentleman from Virginia [Mr. BEALE] has just alluded. It is very natural that the gentleman from Kentucky should go where his sympathies and associations lead him; and while he was surrounded, at the time and place referred to, by many of the persons whom he has so perseveringly sought to quarter upon the public Treasury, I can readily conceive that he was in a position entirely congenial to his taste, and am not surprised that the speech which followed should be pronounced as the result of the inspiration drawn from such an exalted source.

When the examination of the wall was com pleted, my first impression led me to conclude that the work was insecure. In that opinion I was not confident. My reflections since that time have induced me to yield my doubts to the better judg ment and greater experience of the able architect who has the work in charge. I have been assured by that gentleman, in presence of the committee, that the wall is sufficient to bear five times the weight of the superstructure that is to be built upon it. During the few minutes which I spent in company with that gentleman in the committee room, I formed a very favorable opinion of his ability; and I am informed, from the most reliable sources, that his personal integrity, sound judge ment, experience, and knowledge of architecture, are of the most satisfactory character. Nothing has been elicited by the action of the committee which, in my judgment, can authorize me to come before this House and inflict a wound upon his character and good name, by declaring that he has, in any wise, been unfaithful to the trust confided to him. I will not trifle with his reputation by the commission of such an act. So far as I am made his judge, he shall have justice at my hands. I am prepared to yield whatever doubts I may have entertained to the judgment of the architect, and to say to this House, that I believe the work 8 sufficient for the purposes for which it is designed.

It will appear from what I have said, that I do not concur in the opinion expressed yesterday by the honorable chairman of the committee, [Mr. MCNAIR] But acting upon the view of the mat ter which I have expressed, I suggested to the honorable chairman the propriety of going on to make his report by detailing the material facts which are in possession of the committee, and leaving the subject to the judgment of the House.

I do not suppose that the Congress will act so absurdly as to commence a work of this kind, expend a considerable sum upon it, and then discontinue it. I see no reason why the work should not progress; and I am ready to vote any appropriation of money that may be necessary to prosecute it to its termination.

Mr. STANTON, by unanimous consent, withdrew the amendment.

Mr. CHANDLER. I then offer as an amendment, to add $2 to the sum of $500,000 contained in the bill. The whole business of regulating the additions to this Capitol is placed in the hands of the architect; and the question is not whether the stones laid there are laid permanently, and according to our judgment, and whether the lime that is used is of the kind that ought to be used, but it is simply the question, is the person employed there competent to the work he has undertaken? Of that we have two modes of judging; one of the past, the other of the future. All the antecedents of that gentleman, sir, are in the affirmative. Every act of his life goes to prove that he is competent to the work he has undertaken, not simply as a finished mechanic and accomplished architect, but as an honest and conscientious man, I who will not leave a work that he has undertaken

which

he does not believe is good, although his own hand has performed it.

In the course of my official relations with the city which I in part represent, I was called for many years into close connection with that gentleman, and although it would be impertinent in me to say that I know him to be an accomplished architect because his judgment and his action are superior to my judgment or anybody's action, I can only submit the work of his hands for other persons to decide upon, rather than my assurance or my certificate of his ability. I have watched his work. I know him as a man, as a citizen, as an architect, and as a man of business; and in all of these relations he stands preeminent among those with whom he is acquainted. It was in the performance of my official relations with that gentleman, that I looked almost daily upon the foundations of a building quite as heavy in its weight and in its cost as the wings of your Capitol will be. It has rested twenty years upon the foundations which were then laid, and there is not beneath the Girard College a sign or evidence of the yielding of a single portion of the stone upon which they rest. These works, I think, are about twice as thick, twice as strong as the foundations to which I have alluded. I infer, therefore, they are capable of sustaining double the weight.

tlemen who travel in the "fog" are very diligent in taking distinctions. [Laughter.] All this inquiry about the mechanical structure of that wall is a work of supererogation. In my opinion, if the wall was not half as heavy as it is, it would endure all the weight it will ever have to sustain. The traveling qualities of those wings of the Capitol will be felt before they fall down. [Laughter.] The question was then taken upon the amendment of Mr. CHANDLER to the amendment, and it was rejected.

Mr. FLORENCE moved to amend by inserting

"$4" after the words " $500,000."

Mr. FLORENCE, have been very much gratified this morning at the turn the debate has taken upon the question before the committee in relation to this appropriation; but I have been pained to hear gentlemen reflecting, by remarks that have been made, upon persons occupying a peculiar sphere in society. Now, it occurs to my mind, that nowhere so much as upon the floor of this House do a certain class of people, as they have been termed, require defenders. There is no especial merit attached to the fact that a person is a working-man, so called; but it is especially becoming those living or being in that sphere of life, that they should defend others in the same sphere against indiscriminate attacks upon them. I do In the remarks which I have to make, and which not appeal to the galleries; I do not refer to the I consider as giving an opinion contrary to that of fact that we are surrounded by persons urging my colleague, the chairman of the special com- Congress to make this appropriation; but I do mittee, [Mr. McNAIR,] I beg leave to state, my say, here, that it becomes our duty, especially at associations with him leave me not a doubt of the this time, to make this appropriation, because the purity of his intentions and those of the other honor of this Union is involved. I will tell you gentlemen of the committee; but it is his misfor- that, when the first appropriation was made for tune to be at the head of a committee upon a sub- the extension of the Capitol, the peculiar class of ject with which he is not professionally acquaint-working-men required as operators upon it were ed; and it was the misfortune of the committee It is a trade that requires peculiar to be composed of gentlemen who did not claim a perfection, if I may be permitted to laud that class professional knowledge of the work in which they of people so much, particularly in a work of this were to be engaged. It was of course expected they kind. If I am correctly informed, and I believe would call to their aid men of professional excel- I am, the superintendent of this work procured lence-men competent to judge of the work before from Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and them. I think the testimony which has been ad- other cities and parts of the Union, excellent workduced, by gentlemen free from all motives of par- men; and they came here upon the assurance of tiality, was such as would satisfy the House of that gentleman that the work should be continued the competency of the work. I am happy to hear to them, and that they should not be permitted to the remark that fell from the honorable gentleman starve, as they have nearly been doing this most from South Carolina, [Mr. WALLACE,] that what- inclement winter, because Congress refused to ever may be the fate of a portion of that wall, make this appropriation. The distress that existed which I believe competent, there should be no among these workmen who were frozen up here, hesitancy at all about voting for this appropria- would make the hair of every member of this tion. The work must go on; and the sooner it is House stand upon end if it were recited. commenced, the sooner, I hope, it will be finished. I trust, therefore,

[Here the hammer fell.]

Mr. CARTTER. I am opposed to the last amendment of $2.

Mr. GENTRY. Oh! let them have it. [Laughter.]

Mr. CARTTER. I merely rose to remark, that it occurred to me all this discussion of the mechanical sufficiency or deficiency of this wall was a departure from the real danger to which the walt is exposed. It seems to be treated as a question of masonry-as a question of mechanicsand its capacity to sustain the superstructure that is intended to be erected upon it. Now, my opinion is, that the wall is sufficient, and will endure until it answers all the purposes that it will be required to answer. The danger is not as to the weight that it will have to sustain; the danger is not to mechanical forces; the danger lies in a far different quarter. It is more a question of locality. I do not think the wings are in the right place. [Laughter.] They are too near the eastern skirt of this empire; and I have no apprehension at all but that it will rest, mechanically, firmly upon its present foundation, and bear upon its surface the edifice you propose to place upon it, until the weight of empire transfers it to the center of the empire. You had better address yourself to that consideration; for the time is soon coming when the difficulty will be not in the weight upon it, but in keeping the foundation still. The foundations will partake of the spirit of the Republic, and make a western trip. I hope it will be

Mr. FLORENCE. May I ask a single question, as to whether that is the gentleman's idea of progress-that we are progressing from a Republic to an Empire? [Laughter.]

Mr. CARTTER. I do not think I can make a "fogy" understand it, [laughter;] but I alluded, of course, to the empire of territory. Those gen

very scarce.

Mr. HALL. Will you vote them a farm? Mr. FLORENCE. I am willing to do it. I am willing to vote land for the landless, and when the bill comes before the House, proposed by my friend from Tennessee, [Mr. JOHNSON,] my vote will be found recorded in its favor. But here are these workmen waiting, not upon the bounty of the Government, but asking that the pledges given them shall be fulfilled-that the assurance made them when they came here may be redeemed. And I feel a peculiar pleasure and pride that I am permitted to rise in my place upon this floor and say thus much for that most useful class of our citizens. I do not desire that they shall have special legislation, (nor do they ask it,) but I do desire that they may have extended to them all the privileges and all the rights others enjoy.

Mr. HENN. Who gave those assurances? Mr. FLORENCE. I understand, and I stated it as clearly and distinctly as I could, that they were made by persons engaged by the Government. They, as they had a perfect right to, sought to get the best talent they could in that peculiar line, and the assurance was given to them of continuous employment.

[Here the hammer fell.]

Mr. WALSH. I propose to say just a word or two to correct an error which I think has been repeated this morning, and into which a gentleman from North Carolina, not now in his seat, [Mr. VENABLE,] fell on a previous day, and that was, that it had been asserted that it was the primary duty of this Government to give labor to men who were in want of it. There was no such

demand by the friends of the extension of the Capitol, on the ground of primary duty. These men came here in the depth of winter, not knowing anything of the particular terms of this contract. They came here to engage in the erection of the Capitol, and, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. FLORENCE] said, were frozen up with their

families. I say, without asserting a primary duty, that it presented as strong a case of appeal to the sympathies and right feelings of this House, as when you saw from your Capitol windows the burning edifices of Alexandria. It was a case, as I stated heretofore, appealing to the sympathies; but they did not appeal to the sympathies. There was no pretense of primary duty. These men came here under a certificate of the architect, stating that they could be usefully employed by the Government. While gratifying a reasonable sympathy, we were not asked to violate any rule in reference to the contract they were called upon to make. This House, as I then suggested, should have been proud of the privilege of doing so. It has been said, by high authority," that this world is a tough wrestler, who has a bear's grip for the poor;" but it should be the proad privilege of every man, legislating for the great interests of the country, to remove the burden which always bears upon the back of the wayfarer upon this world. Now, a word or two more. I do not admit the rebuke set up by the gentleman from Tennessee, [Mr. JOHNSON,] the other day, and reiterated by the eloquent gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. WALLACE.]

I do not know of any drawing-room rule which is to prevail here and control me under the responsibilities which I owe to my country and constituents. If I see a spectacle of distress in this gallery, which is under my jurisdiction, I shall refer to it, without consulting those rules of high-life which seem to be brought in here to direct legislative power. It is a pressing case-it is a case in which men, offered employment when their employment was deemed to be necessary by those having the control of the execution of this contract-presenting a spectacle of distress, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. FLORENCE] has well said, almost unexampled, even to the view of men who have been accustomed to see all the fluctuations of poverty. Many of them are my own townsmen, accustomed to the ordinary comforts of life, which they procured by the sweat of their brow. They are now in the midst of your community, and under circumstances of distress which were drawn upon them in consequence of their discharge from employment. It is a case calling for the loudest and strongest sympathy in every human heart, and the heartiest expression of that sympathy by every human tongue.

Mr. ORR. I do not propose to make a speech. I wish to give notice now, that when an amendment is moved hereafter I shall insist that the rules of the House be enforced, requiring that gentleman should confine themselves to explanations of the amendments they offer.

Mr. BRENTON. I offer the following amend

ment:

And that no contract, made in prosecution of the work aforesaid, which shall in any way exceed the sum hereby appropriated, shall be binding upon the Government.

I desire to see such an amendment as that attached to every bill which may be proposed to this House for appropriating money to public works; and I would not only desire to see it attached in form, but I would desire to see it put in practice from this time forth. We are called upon each year to pass a deficiency bill for the purpose of meeting expenditures made in connection with the public service-expenditures which exceed the amount, from year to year, that is appropriated. My object in offering this amendment is simply to keep every individual, connected with the expenditure and disbursement of public money, within the limits prescribed by law, and to hold them to strict accountability if they refuse to do so. Why is Congress called upon, in connection with the public service, to pass deficiency bills? It is because the expenses and disbursements have exceeded the amount appropriated. I do not design, at this time, to discuss this question; but I merely state that I desire to see this principle incorporated into every appropriation bill for the consideration of the House; and in future I desire to see all the officers of the Government, especially those having charge of the public funds, held to the rule most rigidly. I hope this amendment will be attached to that appropriation.

Mr. CLINGMAN. I agree with the gentleman, and am in favor of the general principle he contends for, but there is no necessity for incorporating any amendment of that character with this bill. If there was any probability that this

appropriation would finish the work, why, for fear they might go beyond that appropriation and involve us in a larger expenditure, I would vote for his proposition; but nobody imagines for a moment that this appropriation will finish the Capitol. Of course, in contracts that are hereafter to be made, the rule can be carried out in furtherance of the gentleman's design. I have stated this as a reason for voting against the amendment now, although I approve the general principle. But my object in rising was to appeal to the gentleman not to press his amendment. There really seems to be nothing to discuss. Everybody agrees that this appropriation is necessary. If the walls are to be gone on with, as they now stand, the appropriation is needed. If they are to be pulled down, and stronger ones built, the appropriation is equally necessary. Why shall we not agree, by general consent, to let this bill pass, and upon the coming in of the report of the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. MCNAIR] all these questions which have been thrown irregularly into this debate will naturally come up. It is Saturday, and I think it would be right for us to take half a day's holiday, as much at least as we give to the negroes down South. I appeal to gentlemen to let this bill pass, and then by common consent adjourn.

The question was then taken upon Mr. BRENTON's amendment, and it was not agreed to.

Mr. GOODENOW moved that the committee rise and report the bill.

The CHAIRMAN. The pending question is upon the amendment proposed by the chairman of the committee, [Mr. STANTON.]

[Cries of Question!" "Question!"]

Mr. MASON. I offer the following amendment to the amendment:

Provided, That the expenses incurred in testing the stone and other materials to be used in the construction of the work, shall be paid out of this appropriation.

The special committee have been testing the strength of the materials used in the construction of the foundation; and under the resolution of the House authorizing the committee to do it, I suppose the authority was involved to incur the necessary expense. It was a matter which was left wholly to their judgment. They have done so, and bills will come in. Some object to their being paid out of the contingent fund, and I offer this amendment, that these expenses may be paid out of the appropriation of $500,000; and that the Committee on Accounts may have nothing to do with the matter.

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky. I hope this will not be done.

Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee. I rise to oppose that amendment. I think the amendment is quite unnecessary, and is altogether irrelevant to this bill; and make a question, that it is not in order to pay the expenses of a select committee, which has been appointed by this House for the purpose of examining those foundations, out of the general appropriation, for the purpose of completing the building. I think the amendment is not in order. The expenses for which it provides are a part of the contingent expenses of this House, and ought to be paid out of the contingent fund. And it ought to be so, for the purpose of showing the House what is the expense of making such examinations, and of appointing such committees as have been appointed in this case. I mean no disrespect to the committee whatever; but the account of the contingent expenses of the House ought to show the expenses attendant upon its own action. This expense ought not to be charged to the fund for the completion of the Capitol. Upon this ground I think that the amendment ought to be rejected.

The question was then taken, and Mr. MASON's amendment was rejected.

Mr. FLOYD. I move to increase the expenditure $5. We have, during the last year, had an expenditure of $50,000,000. We are called upon now to pass a deficiency bill, amounting to several millions more. We have an estimate of the expenditures for the next year amounting to $42,000,000.

Mr. ORR. I rise to a question of order. The rules of the House require, that when an amendment is offered, the gentleman proposing to speak upon that amendment must confine his remarks to the subject-matter of the amendment. The gentleman is not doing it. I made the announcement

that I should make the question of order, and of course I shall carry it out.

The question was then taken on Mr. McMULLIN's amendment, and it was not agreed to. The question recurring on the amendment proposed by the chairman of the committee, [Mr. STANTON,] it was put, and that amendment was agreed to.

Mr. ROBBINS moved that the committee do now rise and report the bill, as amended, to the House, with a recommendation that it do pass; which motion was agreed to.

the House, with an amendment, with a recommendation that the amendment be concurred in, and that the joint resolution do pass.

Mr. FLOYD. I will vary my amendment, so as to strike out one half the proposed appropriation. I know of no estimate of expenditure that has come to us from the Departments which may be omitted with less injury to the public service, than the half million of dollars asked for by this bill. This Hall is not so badly arranged but what you can find an abundance of gentlemen who are willing to occupy it. Nor am I aware of any de- The committee accordingly rose, and the Speakpartment of the public service that is to suffer by er having resumed the chair, the chairman of the allowing these foundations to remain as they are committee reported that the Committee of the for one, two, or five years. We have a debt, in a Whole on the state of the Union had had the time of profound peace, of some $64,000,000, if 1|| Union generally under consideration, and particu mistake not; and so we are going on granting larly the joint resolution" to authorize the conevery expenditure asked by this Administration- tinuance of the work on the two wings of the Capwhich certainly does not commend itself to theitol," and had directed him to report the same to country by any very strict notions of economywe are going on to grant every expenditure that is asked for, without ever making a beginning at reform or economy. It seems to me, we are acting in the dark upon this subject. This House have appointed a committee to investigate the capacity of the foundation, but it has not yet reported, although we have been told, it may report next week. In the meantime, without the report of our select committee, we know not whether this foundation is safe or unsafe. We are proceeding to grant an appropriation to erect a superstructure, and then to inquire whether the foundation is safe or not. As I have said before, there is no department of the public service that would suffer by the delay of this appropriation; and if the accounts we have had here of the sufferings of the workmen be true, certainly they cannot find worse paymasters than the Government has been to them.

Mr. MOORE, of Pennsylvania. I am opposed to the amendment of the gentleman from New York, [Mr. FLOYD.] The subject embraced in his resolution was freely and ably discussed at the last Congress, when they made the appropriation for the Capitol. I consider it unnecessary to discuss it at this time, and therefore call for the question.

The question was then taken upon Mr. FLOYD'S amendment, and it was rejected.

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky, moved the previous question on the adoption of the amendment. The previous question received a second, and the main question was ordered to be now put. Mr. FICKLIN called for the reading of the amendment, and it was read.

Mr. SCURRY demanded the yeas and nays. Mr. FICKLIN asked for tellers on ordering the yeas and nays.

Tellers were not ordered; and the yeas and nays were not ordered.

Mr. FITCH moved to lay the joint resolution on the table; and on that motion he demanded the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered; and the question being put, it was decided in the negativeyeas 43, nays 124, as follow:

YEAS-Messrs. Aiken, Willis Allen, John Appleton, Averett, Babcock, Beale. Brenton, Buell, Joseph Cable, Cartter, Caskie, Churchwell, Daniel, John G. Davis, Dow son, Dimmick, Dunhamn, Edgerton, Ficklin, Fitch, Floyd, Gamble, Green, Hendricks, Henn, Houston, Howard, Thomas Y. How, Jackson, Andrew Johnson, John Johnson, McMullin, McNair, McQueen, Morrison, Murray. Nabers, Orr, Andrew Parker, Scurry, George W. Thoinp son, Townshend, and Wildrick-43.

NAYS-Messrs. Abercrombie, Allison, William Appleton, Ashe, Barrerre, Bartlett, Bell, Bennett, Bibighaus, Breckinridge, Briggs, Brooks, Albert G. Brown, George H. Brown, Burrows, Busby, E. Carrington Cabell, Lewis D. Campbell, Thompson Campbell, Chandler, Chapman, Clark, Cleveland, Clingman, Cobb, Coleock, Cottman, Cullom, Curtis, Dockery, Doty, Duncan, Durkee, Eastman, Evans, Ewing, Faulkner, Florence, Fowler, Henry M. Fuller, Gaylord, Gentry, Giddings, Goodenow, Gornan, Grey, Grow, Hall, Hamilton, Harper, Isham G. Harris Sampson W. Harris, Haws, Hascall, Haven, Hebard, Hibbard, Hillyer, Holladay, Horsford, Thomas M. Howe, Ires, Jenkins, James Johnson, Daniel T. Jones, George W. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, George G. King, Kuhns, Kurtz, Letcher, Lockhart, Edward C. Marshall, Humphrey Mar shall, McCorkle, McDonald, Meade, Miller, Molony, Henry D. Moore, Morehead, Olds, Samuel W. Parker, Peasee, Penniman, Perkins, Polk, Porter, Price, Riddle, Bobbins,

Mr. McMULLIN. I move to strike out three fourths of the sum. I desire to say a word or two in reference to my own particular position. I voted in the last Congress, if my recollection serves me correctly, against the appropriation of $100,000. I supposed then, that the cost of these two wings of the Capitol would amount to some several hundred thousands of dollars. I really did not suppose then that they were to cost some three or four millions of dollars, perhaps five millions. I rise now for the purpose of calling the attention of the committee, the House, and country, to the important fact, as it presents itself to my mind. Sackett, Schoolerait, Schoonmaker, David L. Seymour, It is this: We have a report made by a standing committee which authorizes and advises the House to pay $250,000 for the purchase of Winder's building, now in the occupancy of the Government. I would most respectfully suggest to the consideration of the committee, that instead of completing the wings of the Capitol, they should erect proper buildings for the Departments, so as to supersede the necessity of paying $250,000 to Mr. Winder for his building. This building, which has served all the purposes of Congress for the last thirty-odd years, will serve us a few years longer.

I think there is something in the suggestion of the sagacious gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. CARTTER,] that we know not how long the Capitol will remain here. But, long or short, I say that, according to my conceptions, there is no necessity for expending four or five millions of dollars to build the wings of the Capitol.

Let these gentlemen, froin the cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore, who desire to quarter their constituents on the Government, make application directly, and I am willing, as one member of this House, limited as my means are, to assist these suffering ladies and gentlemen; but I object—I protest, in behalf of my constituents, against the quartering of any gentleman's constituents on this Government.

Mr. MOORE, of Pennsylvania. I had intended to say a word upon this subject; but, at the solicitation of gentlemen around me, I forbear to say more than that I am opposed to this amendment.

Origen S. Seymour, Smart, Smith, Snow, Stanly, Fredenck P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, Thaddeus Stevens, Stone, Stratton, Stuart, Sutherland, Taylor, Benjamin Thompson, Thurston, Tuck, Wallace. Walsh, Ward, Washburn, Watkins, Welch, Wells, Addi son White, Alexander White, Williams, Woodward, and Yates-124.

So the House refused to lay the joint resolution upon the table.

The question recurring on the adoption of the amendment, it was put and the amendment was agreed to.

The question then was ordering the joint reso iution to a third reading; and, being put, it was so ordered.

The joint resolution having been read a third time,

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky, moved the previous question on its passage.

The previous question received a second, and the main question was ordered to be now put; and, being put, the joint resolution was passed.

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky, moved to reconsider the vote by which the joint resolution was passed, and to lay the motion to reconsider upon the table; which latter motion was agreed to. On motion by Mr. POLK, the House then adjourned till Monday.

PETITIONS, &c. The following petitions, memorials, &c., were presented under the rule, and referred to the appropriate committees By Mr. IVES: The petition of Smith Bartlet and 8 others, for an appropriation for a survey of the harbor at Cape Vincent, New York.

By Mr. HARPER: The inemorial of Thomas Maxfield, Jacob Glossner, and 66 others, citizens of Muskingum county, and of Daniel Lanfeaty, Westly Gill, and 101 other eitizens of Guernsey county, Ohio, praying that the bridges at Wheeling may be established as post roads, and perniitted to remain at their present height."

By Mr. JONES, of Pennsylvania: The petition and papers of Joseph Richards, asking for bounty land belonging to H. Hutchinson, a soldier, &c., deceased.

By Mr. GAYLORD: The petition of Lewis H. Green, Morrice Jennings, Robert M. Jennings, George S. Gilliland, A. Stone, Benjamin F. Stone, and James McCaddon, deputy marshals of Washington county, Ohto, asking additional compensation for services rendered in taking the Seventh Census.

By Mr. SMART: The remonstrance of 150 citizens of Goose River village, Maine, against the discontinuance of the light-house on Beauchamp Point.

By Mr. FULLER, of Maine: The petition of John C. Tibbets and 53 others, asking for an appropriation for building a light-house on the west side of the entrance into Breck's harbor, on the coast of Maine.

By Mr. RIDDLE: The petition of Jeremiah Eskridge, of Sussex county, in the State of Delaware, a soldier in the Florida war of 1834, '35 and '36, praying for an allowance in the nature of arrears of pension.

By Mr. GORMAN: The petition of Thomas E. Ashby and Martin Wines, praying the establishment of a mail route from Bloomfield, in Green county, to Carlisle, in Sullivan county, by the way of Linton.

By Mr. ASHÉ: The memorial of C. B. Wallet and others, of Cumberland county, North Carolina, against the extension of the Woodworth patent for planing boards, &c.

By Mr. ROBBINS: The petition of Isaac Wood and 172 other citizens of Philadelphia county, asking Congress to pass an act for the further extension of the Woodworth patent.

By Mr. ORR: The petition of Waddy Thompson, C. J. Elford, and 102 other citizens of Greenville, South Carolina, against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for planing boards.

By Mr. FLORENCE: The memorial of Charles C. Copes. Henry R. Copes, Joseph R. Cobb, and 54 other citizens of the county of Philadelphia, praying for the extension of Woodworth's patent for planing boards, &c.

By Mr. BIBIGHAUS: The petition of Jacob F. Heim and 80 others, citizens of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, praying for a modification of the tariff of 1846, and for a capitation tax on all future emigrants, so as to afford a tariff to American mechanics and laboring men, &c., &c.

IN SENATE.

MONDAY, March 15, 1852. Prayer by the Rev. LITTLETON F. MORGAN. Mr. ATCHISON presented the memorial of Russell & Jones, surviving partners of Brown, Russell & Co., praying remuneration for services, and indemnification for losses incurred in transporting commissary and quartermaster's stores for the troops in New Mexico; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. SEWARD presented resolutions of the Legislature of New York, against the extension of the patent granted to W. W. Woodworth for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. BRODHEAD presented a resolution of the Legislature of Pennsylvania in relation to Smith O'Brien and his associates; which was ordered to be laid on the table and printed.

Also, a resolution of the Legislature of Pennsylvania against the removal of the Mint from Philadelphia to New York; which was ordered to be laid on the table and printed.

Also, resolutions of the Legislature of Pennsylvania in favor of the establishment of a naval depôt and dry dock on the lake frontier; which were referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

Also, six petitions of citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, praying the extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, two petitions of citizens of Pennsylvania, praying an increase of the duties on iron; which were referred to the Committee on Finance.

Also, a memorial of merchants, ship-owners, and others, citizens of Philadelphia, praying a modification of the law for the reduction of the costs and expenses of proceedings in admiralty; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, a petition of citizens of Erie, Pennsylvania, praying the establishment of a navy-yard and dry dock on the lake frontier; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Also, a memorial of citizens of Pennsylvania, remonstrating against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, a petition of citizens of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, remonstrating against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. DODGE, of Wisconsin, presented the petition of John Bensley, praying indemnity for losses and injuries sustained in Mexico previous to the war; which was referred to the select committee appointed on the subject.

Mr. CHASE presented three memorials of assistant marshals for taking the Seventh Census in Ohio, praying additional compensation; which were ordered to be laid on the table

Also, a petition of citizens of Belmont county, Ohio, remonstrating against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents

and the Patent Office.

Also, a petition of citizens of the United States, remonstrating against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, a petition of citizens of Rochester, New York, praying that the public lands may be granted to actual settlers only, and to them in limited quantities; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. UNDERWOOD presented the petition of James G. A. McKenny, praying the payment of his claim against Mexico; which was referred to the select committee appointed on the subject.

Also, the petition of settlers and occupants of Carson Valley and its neighborhood, praying the establishment of a territorial government; which was referred to the Committee on Territories.

Mr. FISH presented a petition of citizens of Albany, New York, praying that the bill giving further remedies to patentees may become a law; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. WADE presented a memorial of assistant marshals for taking the Seventh Census in Washington county, Ohio, praying additional compensation; which was ordered to be laid on the table. Mr. SUMNER presented a petition of shipowners, merchants, and others, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, praying that further aid may be extended to Collins's line of steam-ships; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. SMITH presented a petition of citizens of Worcester county, Massachusetts, remonstrating against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. MANGUM presented the petition of Edward Rudd, praying compensation for slaves carried off by the enemy during the last war with Great Britain; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Also, the petition of Henry A. Wise, and the legal representatives of J. J. Wise, praying compensation for slaves carried off by the enemy during the last war with Great Britain; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. BAYARD presented a petition of citizens of Pennsylvania, remonstrating against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. WADE presented the memorial of S. Spink, assistant marshal for taking the Seventh Census in Wood county, Ohio, praying additional compensation; which was ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. DAVIS presented the petition of Lucretia Barton, one of the heirs of Jacob Town, deceased, praying that a new warrant may issue, in lieu of one issued to the heirs of said Town for bounty land, and which has been lost; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. BROOKE presented a petition of certain Choctaw Indians, known as "Bay Indians, "praying compensation for reservations of land under

the fourteenth article of the treaty of 1830, of which they were forcibly dispossessed; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Also, resolutions of the Legislature of Mississippi, in favor of the establishment of certain mail routes in that State; which were referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. FELCH presented a petition of citizens of Michigan, praying that a grant of land may be made to the State, for constructing the Oakland and Ottowa railroad; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. CLEMENS presented the memorial of John M. Mullin, praying compensation for services, as messenger in the Penitentiary of the District of Columbia; which was referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia.

Mr. SHIELDS presented the petition of Jacob Banta, praying authority to locate and enter land n virtue of two revolutionary bounty land certifiates; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, submitted a document in relation to the claim of R. C. Patterson, against the Government of Mexico; which was referred to the select committee appointed on the subject.

Mr. STOCKTON presented a petition of citizens of the State of New Jersey, praying Congress to pass a law to prohibit absolutely the deportation, banishment, or immigration from foreign countries to the United States, of any and all convicts, felons, and paupers, publicly recognized as such at home in their own countries; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, a petition of citizens of Germantown, Pennsylvania, praying a modification of the bounty land law; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

COLLINS'S LINE OF STEAMERS.

Mr. RHETT. I have a petition, very numerously signed by some of the first merchants and ship-owners in the city of Charleston, praying for an appropriation in favor of Collins's line of steamers. As the petition is very brief, I beg leave to

read it.

The petitioners state that it is not as residents of Charleston, South Carolina, but as patriotic citizens of the United States that they make this petition. The Collins line is not a local, but a national interest. New York, from its commercial position and relations with Europe and this continent, happens, indeed, to be the point to and from which these magnificent and unequaled steam-ships make their trips; but they do not regard them as, for that reason, any more properly belonging locally to that city, than the general Federal revenue, of which so large a proportion is collected at that point, can be regarded as belong|ing to New York. They say, whatever objections of private interest to the object for which they petition some of them might possibly entertain from the rivalries and competitions of commerce, they cannot but forget all such considerations in the larger and higher interest with which they contemplate the great national rivalry, the new Pacific naval warfare now in progress between the two leading maritime countries of the worldthe English Monarchy as represented in the Cunard, and the Republic of the United States in the Collins line. This has risen, by general recognition in both continents, above the level of any personal interests, great or small, into the higher character of national contest, in which the national pride and honor, as well as the more substantial interests morally incident to national reputation, are more deeply involved. England sustains, and is always ready to sustain her line with whatever further Government support may be requisite for that purpose. The Collins line has thus far gained its honorable triumphs, those victories of peace "not less renowned than those of war," only at the expense of loss to its owners too ruinous, as is evident, to be further continued. Without the aid now asked for, the American flag must cease to float over the noble line of Transatlantic steam-ships, which evinces so strongly the glorious triumphs of American mechanics, engineers, and navigators. They feel that this would be a national disaster and disappointment, as well as a national disgrace; and that it would be beheld with feelings of regret not less universal than

those which pervaded the remotest border of the Union during the period when the fate of the pioneer vessel of the line, "the Atlantic," was the prominent subject of national anxiety and almost national mourning. They therefore petition that such amount of aid as, on satisfactory investigation may be found to be necessary for the purpose above stated, may be extended to the Collins line by Congress.

I will state that this petition is from the most respectable merchants and others in the city of Charleston. I have never voted for any appropriation of this kind, nor do I suppose that I shall vote for this; but it is due to the petitioners, as well as to myself, to state that during the last fall I was in Europe, and had occasion to see and know that the same feeling which actuates the petitioners here upon this subject, very largely actuates the English people on the other side of the water. I present the petition, and move that it be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. The petition was so referred.

PAPERS WITHDRAWN AND REFERRED. On motion by Mr. JONES, of Iowa, it was Ordered, That the resolution of the Legislature of Iowa, on the files of the Senate, relating to the pension claim of Silas Messenger, be referred to the Committee on Pensions. On motion by Mr. RUSK, it was

Ordered, That the memorial of John R. Jefferson, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

On motion by Mr. FOOT, it was Ordered, That the memorial of F. Huttmann, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Claims. On motion by Mr. CLEMENS, it was Ordered, That the petition of Seneca G. Simmons, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. ATCHISON, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, to which was referred the resolutions passed at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town

propiation of land for the establishment of a lunatic asylum, &c.; and the memorial of the Commissioners of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb at Fulton, Missouri, in relation to the same, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof; which was agreed to.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the petition of William Woodbridge, praying a grant of land, submitted an adverse report, which was ordered to be printed.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the petition of George W. Dent, in behalf of occupants of land in townships fortythree and forty-four, praying that disposition may be made in conformity with the views of the Solicitor and the Commissioner of the General Land Office, submitted an adverse report, which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. FISH, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to which was referred the memorial of Thomas Marston Taylor, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for his relief; which was read and passed to the second reading. The report was ordered to be printed.

which that resolution ought to be referred are not now here, nor are they ready to act upon it; and as I suppose there will be no serious objection to it, I move that it be taken up and put upon is passage, without being referred to any committee.

The PRESIDENT. This is a joint resolution which has been returned from the House of Rep resentatives. It will be in the power of the Senate to act upon it immediately, or to refer it, as they may think proper.

Mr. SHIELDS. It seems to me that it may as well be disposed of now.

The PRESIDENT. The amendment made by the House is, to strike out all after the resolving clause, and insert the following:

"That there be, and is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for period from which the passage of this resolution to the end of the fiscal year terminating June 30th, 1853, the sum of $500,000, for the continuance of the work on the two wings of the Capitol."

Mr. GWIN. There is not a majority of the Committee on Finance in the Senate; and as it is a matter that action should be had upon as early as possible, I will move its reference to the Com

Mr. CLEMENS, from the Committee on Pri-mittee for the District of Columbia. vate Land Claims, to which was referred the memorial of John B. and Thomas Johnson, for reimbursement of expenses in defending a defective title to land from the United States, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof; which was agreed to.

BILLS PASSED.

The following engrossed bills were severally read a third time and passed:

Bill for the relief of the securities of Elijah J. Weed, late quartermaster of marines, deceased; Bill for the relief of Nancy Wright;

Bill for the relief of Robert Jemison and Benjamin Williamson;

Bill for the relief of Nathaniel Kuykendall; Bill to provide compensation to William Woodbridge and Henry Chipman, for services in ad

ing a division of the Indian territory of Nebraska, and for the removal of certain tribes of Indians, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that it be referred to the Committee on Territories; which was agreed to.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the memorial of John A. Bryan, submitted a report, accompanied by a resolution for his relief; which was read and passed to the second reading. The report was ordered to be printed.

Mr. DOWNS, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to which was referred the petition of the heirs of James and Lucy Perrie, submitted an adverse report on the same. The report was ordered to be printed.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the bill authorizing payment by the Surveyor General of California, for the survey of certain land claims which have been or may be presented to the Board of Land Commissioners for adjudication under the act of Congress of March 2, 1851, to ascertain and settle private land claims in California, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that it be referred to the Committee on Public Lands; which was agreed to.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the petition of Maria Taylor, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for her relief; which was read and passed to the second reading.

Mr. BRADBURY, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the memorial of Jehiel Brooks, asking authority to sue the United States for damages sustained in defending his title to land in a suit brought against him by the United States,, submitted an adverse report.

Mr. FELCH, from the Committee on Public Lands, to which was referred the petition of James Higginbotham, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for his relief; which was read and passed to the second reading. The report was ordered to be printed.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred a memorial of citizens of California, urging an immediate survey of the public lands in that State; a resolution of the State of Vermont, in relation to the indigent insane; the memorials of the Legislature of Alabama, in relation to an ap

purposes;

Bill for the relief of Sarah Flinn: Bill for the relief of David Osborn; Bill for the relief of Thomas D. Jennings; Bill for the relief of John McReynolds, of Detroit, in the State of Michigan;

Bill for the relief of Samuel Bray;

Bill for the relief of Thomas Rhodes; and a Bill to grant the right of preemption to settlers on the public land known as the Maison Rouge Grant, and for other purposes.

WILLIAM A. CHRISTIAN.

The engrossed bill for the relief of William A. Christian was read a third time.

On motion by Mr. GWIN, to reconsider the vote on the passage of the bill, it was determined in the affirmative; and it was ordered to be laid on the table.

GUNPOWDER DEPÔTS.

Mr. FISH submitted the following resolution for consideration; which was agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to report to the Senate any information in his possession touching the necessity of establishing suitable depôts for the preservation of the gunpowder belonging to the United States, and whether the public service require the establishment of such depôts.

MAP OF NEW MEXICO. Mr. CHASE submitted the following resolution for consideration; which was agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War communicate to the Senate a map of the Territory of New Mexico, compiled by Brevet Lieutenant J. G. Parke, United States Topographical Engineers, by order of Brevet Colonel J. Munroe, United States Army, commanding ninth military depart

ment.

EXTENSION OF THE CAPITOL.

A message from the House of Representatives was received by Mr. HAYES, its Chief Clerk, announcing that it had passed the joint resolution from the Senate to authorize the continuance of the work upon the two wings of the Capitol, with an amendment, and requesting the concurrence of the Senate therein.

The PRESIDENT subsequently said: There is on the table a joint resolution which has been returned from the House of Representatives, with an amendment, to authorize the continuance of the work on the two wings of the Capitol. What disposition will the Senate make of it? Mr. SHIELDS. The proper committee to

Mr. SHIELDS. I was going to say that the Committee for the District of Columbia is in pre cisely the same condition. There is not a quorum of the committee in the city, and that is the reason why I think it would be better to pass the measure

at once.

Mr. STOCKTON. I move that the Senate

agree to the amendment. This is a bill of great importance, and should be passed forthwith.

Mr. MASON. I was only going to suggest that the resolution appropriates half a million of money. It is a resolution originating, I believe, with the Committee on Finance.

Mr. BRODHEAD. The Committee on Public Buildings.

Mr. MASON. This resolution appropriates very large sum of money, and though I dislike throw any obstacles in the way of its passage or necessarily, it seems to me that it should go to its appropriate committee. I understand the Senator, who desires its passage now, to intimate that there is not a majority of the Committee on Finance present at this time. I think there may be a majority of the Committee on Public Buildings, which is an appropriate committee.

Mr. SHIELDS. There is not a majority of the Committee on Public Buildings present, nor of the Committee for the District of Columbia; and, consequently, if the matter is referred to a committee, it will remain a long time in abeyance. It is true it appropriates $500,000, but that is only half the amount which the President has called for in the civil bill. It extends to the end of the fiscal year, 1853.

Mr. MÁSON. What is the amount in the original resolution?

of

The PRESIDENT. The original resolution is, that the Secretary of the Interior may continue in employment, for the construction of the wings the Capitol, so many mechanics and laborers as can be properly engaged in the work, and appro priates $10,000 to carry that into effect. As the resolution has now come back, it is proposed to strike out the sum of $10,000 and insert $500,000.

Mr. SHIELDS. The original resolution was merely temporary. My opinion is, that if we con tinue the work at all, if it be not abandoned entirely, now is the best time for these men to go on with the work. There cannot be a better season than the present; and surely, if it is not entirely to be given up, we ought to pass this resolution. The work has been neglected long enough. The is my view of the matter, and I have no other object in passing it now. As it is to be acted upon, I presume, sooner or later, and as this is only half the amount which the Executive calls for, I take it for granted we may as well adopt the resolution now. I understand the question has been long and earnestly debated in the House of Representatives, and after having been thus maturely deliberated upon, it has been passed in the shape in which it now comes before the Senate.

Mr. BORLAND. I am aware, Mr. President, that in rising to say anything on the side of this question which I feel bound to occupy, I place myself in a very ungracious attitude before the Senate-certainly before the galleries, which, to a great extent, are made parties, deeply-interested parties, to this bill and its discussion."