Friday, April 4.
Removal of the Seat of Government.
The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the bill for the removal and accommodation of the Government of the United States.
Mr. Harper proposed to amend the act so as that the sum to accommodate the household of the President of the United States with furniture, in addition to what was now in possession of the President, should not operate until after the third of March next. This he did, he said, in consequence of some constitutional doubts which he had expressed. The constitution declaring that the salary of the President should receive no addition nor diminution during his being in office. This was concurred in.
The question then was, what sum should be allowed for that purpose; $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000, were severally named.
Mr. Randolph, considering the principle itself unconstitutional, moved, in order to defeat the section altogether, (it having been amended and being out of order to move its being stricken out,) to insert the sum of $500. These different sums called forth a lengthy debate. The sum of $20,000 was negatived—45 to 39. That of $15,000 was carried—yeas 44, nays 42.
The bill being gone through, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading on Monday.
Friday, April 18.
Disputed Elections of President, &c.
Mr. Nicholson called for the order of the day on the bill prescribing the mode of deciding disputed elections of President and Vice President of the United States.