Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1809-03-13
EfEtb GonSrfss. I'D. secession.
iONS SQUANDERNC
SENATE,
TUESDAY, FEB. II.


Mr.. HILLHousE..... Mr.. Pref 1ent
Il hold in my hand a reiolution,
witch | intend TO fubmit to rhe con-
liberation of the fenats, after having
MADE few remarks TO thew the
grognd on which it reits, and explain
ed my reafons for bringing it forward
at this time.
In the difcharge of my official du-
ty as one OF a committee to inquire
after facts in relation to nomina-
ton which has recently been under
the consideration of the Senate, | was
led to infpea fundry accounts and
documents in The public Offices, from
which | derived the knowledge of
what | am about to fate, and conccr-
ming which there can be no miltake,
as the fcveral items are taken from
thoie accounts aad documents
Having had fome acquaintance
with the manner of concluding buf-
nels in the pubIick offices in relation
to our money concerns, | did fup-
pofe there exilted complete check
upon all improper expenditures OF
pYblick money, ard perfect iecuri-
ty againlt ITS beng drawn out of the
treaiury in manner not warranted
by law. One important and princi-
pal ground of fecurity, | had under
flood to con6lti n the cotronle which
the head of each department had
over the bpinels condded to his de-
partment, and bis refpenhbility for a
due ard Reasonable exerciie of his
difcrelion and judgment. But hav-
ing difcovered by an opinion of the
fenate lately EXPRESSED, an opinion
which | am bound to refpe6t, that
the fecretary of war is not re(pon6ble
for what | coniider an improper
expenditure of publick money IN
that department, | am ofopinion that
foI,e further and more efe6tual pro-
viiions ought to be made. To ihow
on what | ground my opinion, that
there has been an improper diburie
ment OF publick money, will read
part Of two lections OF law fixing the
the military peace eltabliihment of the
United States paiied March 10th
1902 and exhibi, brief itaremeni
OF iads. The 4th fectisn fixes the
monthly compensation OF the briga :
der general as follows -" to the
brigadier general, two hundred and
twenty five dollars, which ihall be
his full and eatlre compensation,
without night 10 demand or receive
any raIions, forage travelling expenies
or other perquiIites or emolument
whatfoever, except fuch itationary as
may be requifite for the u(e of his
department " The fifth lection fixes
the number Of rations to which each
officer and folder fhall be entitled,
by which no officer above the rank of
colonel is entitled 10 any ratlons at
all. That fiction further provides,
tina, there hal bs allowed "to the
commanding officer of each feperatc
poft fuch additional number OF ratlons
as the PreGdcnt of the United States
lhall from time to time dire6e, having
reipect to he Gpecial circumstances OF
each polt." Under the provliions OF
that law there have been allowed at
Natchitoches, to Colonel Cuihing
doublc rations from September lit
to- ID of Oaober 1890. AT New
Orleans, to Lieut.. Colonel Freeman
triple rarions, from July TX 10 nth
Dec. 1890, and 10 Col. Cuihing IN
like manner from the 18th Dec. 1900
to goth of May 1907; and IN Jan.
1890, Brig Gen. Wilsiufon's &C
count for extra rations rs command
Jog officer at thofe fame potts was al
lowed as follows, viz.
Al Na.ehitochss, SO raions ger
DIV. from the 18Th to the 2mh
sesiemher. 1906, g d.}s at
~ - eents, ~ 10
saric pl4Ce, 50 rs.iop' rom Vt