STATIONARY FOR THE HOUSE.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I offer the following resolution for a Committee on Stationery. I would just state that at the last Session a similar committee was appointed, and under the rules reported by them and adopted here, the stationery account did not exceed $150, against $2,000. I believe, at the last regular session.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to act as a Standing Committee on Stationery, and that said committee be instructed to make the same rules and regulations with regard to the purchase and distribution thereof, as at the last session.
Mr. DAVIS. I would like to know whether there is any way of getting better paper? The paper I have got is not worth much
Mr. CLEMENTS moved ineffectually to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. DOUGHERTY. I believe that contemplates a return to the rule of the last session, by which we obtained our paper. I am certainly in favor of economical and just restrictions to prevent waste of stationery, and would vote for such a measure. But it seems to be rather degrading to require members to go to the Doorkeeper to beg a little paper, and then to require the amount obtained to be entered in a book. It seems to me rather degrading to make the Door-keeper the guardian of the stationery, and the member as the ward. It is making our servant our guardian; and then it throws no restriction around the Door-keepers.
Mr. HUNTER. Yes, they account to the committee.
Mr. DOUGHERTY. For my part. I do without stationery to some extent, rather than go to the Door-keepers and ask for it, and then have it charged against me.
Mr. NEBEKER, of Warren, did not beg. His stationery was charged, and he supposed the items were examined. He asked for and obtained and used what he got. He knew of no better way than to call for what a man wants.
Mr. HUNTER replied to Mr. Dougherty. Two years ago thousands of dollars were charged to the State for stationery for the Legislature; and the object was to restrict waste and save money. There was nothing objectionable in the proposition.
The resolution was adopted.
The SPEAKER appointed the Committee on Rules, under Mr. Austin's resolution, namely: Messrs. Austin, Edwards, and Scott, and
The Committee on Prayer, under Mr. Murray's resolution, namely: Messrs. Murray, Blythe, and Gregory.
Mr. KNOWLTON asked and obtained leave of absence until Monday.
