Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-11-18

peculiar guardians of the pubic sgeasufy.
they were ensislrd tois.
He believed that 20 blame should al
zach 10 the see'sy Of the navy or any other
person on account Of this expenditures;
but in every case 10 which mcsey had been
expended without orders, the least that
could be expected was fair disclosure OF
the circumstances attending the trans-c-
.iioo. Could NOT the executive and de-
par,m enss trust to the candor aud iiberaliiy
of the house? Did they refuse TO coDhds
10 the house, MIR. D. was DESTROYS Of
the fuIles, informatiop, which he ,hougM
would rebound more 10 the credit Of ,be
adminis.rs,ion than this silence on lhe sub
jees.
Waving The right to make these enaui.
ries, he ihoughi then two questions oc-
cured for consideration. The first was
the great broad question, whether or not
it was proper for congress to make appro-
priations 10 cover expenditures OF public
money not previously authorised By law.
Prior TO The year 1901, expeness were
incurred wishou, the express sanction Of
congress they were incurred with view
TO the public service 10 case Of emergency.
ts was then discretionary with congress
either 10 approve or disspproys this Goa
duct; il they approved it they passed q
bill making an appropriation TO cover the
expenditure. Ia 1901. from the highest
authority, doctrine the reverse of this
was ayowed; that il was part of poli,ic.l
prudence 70 discounienanee aud dissllow
all applications of money to purposes not
authorised by law; 60 that il money des.
,ioed for one objectwas appl cd to another,
or money unapprop ia,ed was applied 20
any object without being previously au-
,hoIised by law, this doctrioe weDs TO Gis.
allow it. In 1907, when public expecta,
ticD was directed 10 the executive, i, had
been ,hought proper to incur certain es.
peuces for ensuring the public safety. A
public officer, who, 10 a moment OF public
exigency undertakes 10 purchase supplies,
may rely on public supFsrs. If the legis.
!ature condemns the procedure, the officer
must bear the loss. Would you, said
Mr.. ID. had you been assembled at This
time. with knowledge of all the existing
circp instances would you have authorised
these expences TO be incurred! This was
the FAIR question, and was presented TO
them under favorable circumstances for
determinations. 10 1901, this doctrine had
been coDtradic,ed, disavoyed; it was with
satisfaction he row observed lha, practice
taking place under high authority which
had before been denounced. He fell high.
ly grafi6ed with this change, aud certainly
would NOT reproach gentlemen tor il; they
had learn, wisdem BY al experience Of 6
years, which had taught them the error OF
their doctrines the privilege of being
wiser on this day than FIVE years since
ough. no, TO be denied. He declared ,hso,
.ha. as respected the general principle, he
sconcurrsd decidedly with the executive.
The second question was on the parti.
cplar subject: should they advocate expen.
ditures for these particular purposes, sup,
posing that they had perfect inforasa'io,.
co the subject As respected the sub
sis,ence for seamen. repairs for yessels,
&c. they were previously authorised BY
law. The president was authorised to in.
crease the uunber of seameo, but the ap
preparation already made would oct cover
The additional expence. 1, was hsyond all
question, tia, as this power had been giveu
to the president. congress were pledged 10
cover the expenditure, The nexs arliclr
was, for pay and subsistence Of the ma
rine corps. There was clear power ses.
ed ia the president to increase this corps j,
aad as congress had authorised tia. 10
crease, they were pledged TO defray the
additional expences. Passing BY ordnance
ADD military stores, the last article was
for timber for the navy. He oo.fd have
wished thai tits article had been snmethipg