Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-04-06
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Ga motion of Mr. Jackson,
ReSokUed, That committee be appoint
ed 70 enquire into the expediency of ma
kiss IN artificial road from Washington,
Penn. through Cnariestown on tie Ohio,
river, to Sandusky river, at or near Fort
Stephenson.
The resolution for the present was
with the consent of the mover, laid on the
table.
Mr.. Tucker called up for consid cration
the resolutions he submitted some weeks
ago respecting the Appointment, at the
commencement IF each session, of adcliti-
onal standing committees for the investiga-
ton OF the public expenditures
Mr.. Smith of Md did not believe that
much good could flow out of the measure.
There were already, he said. an account
ant OF the war and An accountant oil the
navy dep artments, and a comptroller over
them, and now we are TO appoint commit
tees ofCongress over the whole, to inspect
accounts after the money has been paid a.
way. FURTHER more, he thought it would
be impracticabe for the committees to act
efficiently unless they sat all the YEAR
Mr.. .. said he remembered that gentle
man OF this House (Mr. Randolph) once
moved similar investigation into what
was called the Augean stable the enqui-
ry was crdered-the gentleman went into
it-fve thousand dollars were spent in
printing documents, &c. and after all,
there was not even resolution or any O.
Their proceedings predicated on the exam
nation.
The motion was advocated by Messrs.
Tucker, Dtsha. Stanford, Wright and
Lowndes-by whom it was argued, that
the experience of other states, particular
iy Virginia, proved the utility of such
committees that they were also found
extremely beneficial and useful in Eng
land that Clamours and suspicious had
gone abroad, and though they might not be
well founded still they rendered the en-
curry necessary; that If any thing was
wrong IN the public accounts, the govern
ment ought to know it, and the evil be
corrected; that If the committees only en-
tered INTO general. ard not a minute and
detaiied investigation of those accounts,
much good would result from it, as it
would tend to Correct frauds, or errors, #
any-that 1t was the duty Of this branch
OF the government to inspect the money
concerns, and see that they were correct
ly and faithfully conducted, &c.
ne resolutions were then agreed to in
the following form:
ReSofUed, that the following Standing
Committees be appointed to serve during
the present Congress, and that hereafter
At the commencement Of the first session
IN each Congress. like committees shall
be appointed, whose duties shall CONT
nue. until the first session ofthe ensuing
Congress:
a committee on so much of the Public
Accounts and Expenditures as relate to
the Department Of State.
a committee on SO much Of the Public
Accounts and Expenditures as relate to
the Treasury d partment.
a committee on so much of the Accounts
and Expenditures as relate to the Depart
ment of War.
n committee on so U'uch of the Public
Accounts and Expenditures as relate to
the Department Of the Navy.
n committee on so much of the Public
Accounts and Expenditures as relate to
the Post Office and
a committee on so much of the Public
Accounts and Expenditures as relate to
Public Buildings
The said committees shall consist of 8
| members each.
1t shall be the duty of the committees
to examine into the state of the accounts
and expenditures, respectively submitted
| 70 them, and to enquire and report partl-
| cularly,
Whether the expenditures of the respec-
tive Departments are justified by law
! Whether the claims from time to time
! satisfied and discharge d by the respective
| Departments are supported by sufficient
vouchers, establishing their business both
as to their character and amount;
| Whether such claims have been dis
| charged out of funds appropriated there
for, and whether all monies have been
dsbursed in conformity with appropriation
| laws-and
Whether any and what provisions are
necessary to be adopted to provide
more perfectly for the proper Applicant
| ON Of the public MONIES, and to secur.
] the Government from demands unjust
| in their character or extravagant in their
| amount.
Aud it shall be moreover tho duty of the
said committees to report from time to
! time, whether any, and what retrench-
| ments can be made in the expenditures
| OF the several Departments without detri-
ment to the public service whether any,
| and what abuses at any time exist in the
failure to enforce the payment of mo-
MES which may be due 70 the Unit d
| States from public defauters, or others,
| and to report from tine to time such pro-
visions and arrangements rs may be ne
cessary to add to the economy OF the seve-
| raj departm nts, and the accountability OF
their officers.
The House then proceeded to consider
/ the amend taNtc e tho G.r,to 70, lac B..