WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
35
day occurs that I do not receive application for them. I believe some three or four applications have been made to me today for Patent Office seeds and Patent Office reports. If they are dis- tributed here they will go without any more incumbrance than would incidently arise from such a quantity of books being sent; but I really look upon it as one of the most important measures that the members of Congress can adopt in relation to their constituents. If gentlemen do not choose to dispose of their books in that way, and let them remain on hand with them, they will be useless to their constituents; but if the Senators are disposed to ct1str1bute them, it can be done here; and it is a very convenient matter. I should be very sorry to see so important a matter to agriculture, and the improvements of the condition of the country generally, particularly to the farming interests, smothered in this way. Of course, gentlemen are not bound to distribute the books; but to those whose constituents are interested in obtaining the mformation that is communicated through this medium, it is very important; and I insist that the people of Texas are not so en- lightened but that they will be greatly benefitted by the aid of the agricultural portion, at least, of the Patent Office reports. I should be sorry to see a branch of so much importance suppressed. 1 Congressional Globe, 1857-1858, Part 2, p. 65. These remarks were made on a motion of Mr. Johnson, of Arkansas, to print 10,000 copies of the reports of the Committee of Patents for the year 1857, on Arts and Manufacturing, along with the other reports from the Patent Office. After debate on the subject for several hours, Senator Iverson, of Georgia, offered an amend- ment to cut down the number of copies to 2,000 for the Department of the Interior, and to cut out entirely the 8,000 copies usually printed for the • 8enate, because it was useless expense, and because these reports of the Patent Offke would flood the local post offices. It was on the amendment by Iverson that Houston really made the remarks. lverson's amendment was defeated, 26-16. ~EMARKS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF ADJOURNING THE SENATE FROM THURSDAY TO MONDAY 1 March 15, 1858. Mr. Houston. I desire to remark with the permission of the Senator from New Hampshire, that I have invariably voted against adjourning from Thursday to Monday; and I vot:)d in favor of the motion made a little while ago to adjourn. 1 did so on the principle that it is more agreeable to transact business in daylight than at night. I shall never forget the memorable
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