Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-07-10
A,rrrs gss IL 20 ysn 1900. I am at

0fS HfS SeS 49, ~ y ~ oOOs os-i -
al.,s to account for tGese manifest in
rorsistencrs, and I might say sole.
cisms in our political arithmetic.
We have navy which we are told en-
ploys 1900 men, which costs within a
third as much as navy employing
nearly 5000 and yet, when we come to
compare the great objects of expense,
to wit, pay and subsistence of the Of
6cers and scamen, the reward of valor
and merit, we 6nd contrast which l
believe no man in this House isperpar-
ed to explain"
! am told that in uttcring the above
remarks, Mr.. Randolph held up very
significantly the book of estimates,
and triumphantly challenged an ex-
PLANTATION of these manifest iaconsisten-
cies; and as an explanation was not
afforded within the walls of Congress,
: ! will now give one out of the walls.
First let me ask what was the esti-
mate upon which the appropriation
law was passed? 1t was the estimate
of 10th February fsOs.--that estimate
stated that there was required, < Con-
gress accordingly appropriated (sse
estimate and laws u. States, vol. p.
'29o. For pay & subsistence ofthe of
Eccrs and pay of the seamen 1,S23,o77
---ard yet Mr.. Randolph states that it
was 296, 900 dollars. This is a very
trifling error on the part of the hon.
member to be sures it amounts on
ly to one million twenty seven thous-
and & seventy seven dollars, in one l.
tem of naval appropriation. Reader,
remember that Mr.. Randolph was the
chairman of the committee appointed
by the House of Representatives OF
the United States to bring in bill
for the reduction of the navy, and
then ask yourself whether you think
him excusable for these numerous
palpable Measurements. To me it APP
pears that i. was his duty--.Yes, sir,
his boupden duty---to have possessed
himself of accurate information, and
10 have given such Information to the
Honse. This plain, farmer like, hon.
est mode of proceeding did not how
ever suit the particular views of the
honorable member--.he had his object,
and appears to have been determined
to accomplish it without regarding the
means.
When MIR. Randolph stated that the
estimate for the pay ard subsistence oil
the ofIicer. ard seamsn for the year 1909
was only 8 7es GEO, he knew OF he ough'
Ia have known 1.-THE Laws and the putilc
reports were open 10 him) that he wss re.
fenng TO. 20 the estimate Upon which the
appropriation law was passed. blu, TO an
estimate prepared in the fall of The year
1908, md in which tbs employment oinire
hundred ard wenty Eve seamen only was
con, empla,ed. He knew or ought to have
known, that after that estimate was pre-
rared. Congress by act Of the 31st Janra
~ 1909, Untitled An ee auihorising the
employment; of an additional naval force"
see vol. 9. ., 206- direeled thai The fri
gates r. esideD', United States. Essex and
Jchp Adsm' should be E,ted out and nam
ned AID that the same sct Az horised a d
empowered ,bt President to equip, man
ard mpioy IN seiual serves SO NANNY Of
The OiheT t'OD.iC aIWcu NSAscfsS NDSb liz
pp 10 ordinary, and gun boats, IS 10 his
Judgment The pubic service mightrcquire :
aad ha, by The % section oil he SAID aef
tSe runiber Of n dAh,pnen was augrrep-
ie, 500 s.. ard The number OF seamsn $500.
Ard Mr. Randolph knew, OF ought 10 have
known that upon the passage oil his lay,
rev estimate was prepared end uans-
.nit,td tc Congress urder date cfihe io,h
Feb. 1909 and he knsw or .ugh' 10 hare
known tI'a, il vas upon THE estimate that
the appr1p: alton law OF sd OF March,
1899, Tor the service of .ba; year, (s.e vol
g. p. a9D vas Tassed--snd that by Tia
e .timate il was slaled dat for he pay 4.
subsistence o, the officers ard pay f he
seaG,rn he sum of 1913 or dollars was
rtsui;sd, and ha. by the Jaw above quo.
ted hat sum was accordingly sppropr q el
(s,e vol 9. p. ae0)s-ard Jet IN he face
of sil he koev, OF of all he ough. 10 rave
known M, RsndoIpb has permitted him
self 20 say hat the sum estimated was
only 8 2s5. coo.
AMERICANUS.