Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-04-03

each session, II additional standing
committets for the investigation Of
the public expenditures.
Mr.. Smitll Of Md. did not believe
that much good could aow out OF
the measure. There vera already,
he said, an accountant of the war y
an accountant of the navy depart
menfs, and q comptroller over them,
and move. we are to appoint commit
tees of Congress over the whole, to
Inspect accounts after the money
has been paid away. Furthere.
more, hs thou't it would he iinprac-
ticable for the committees to act
efficiently unless they sat all the
year. Mr.. S. said he remembered
that gentleman Of this House (Mr.
Randolph once moved similar in.
yessigation into what was called
tile Aussan stable; tbe.eaquiry was
ordered, the gentleman weat into it,
1--we thousand dollars were spent in
printing documents. &c. and after
laIl, there was not even a resolution
or any other proceeding predicated
lon the examination.
The motian WAS advocated by
Nessrs. Thicker. Nesha. Stanford,
Wright, aud Lowsdes, by whom il
was argued, that the experience Of
other states. particularly. Virginia
proved the utility Of such commit
tees, that they we're also found ex
Itrelnely beneficial aud useful id Eng
land, that clslnors and suspicion:
had gone abroad ard though the,
might net be we'll founded, still they
rendered the enquiry necessary, tina,
if any thing was wrong in the public
accounts, the government ought ia
know it and the evil be corrected
that if the committees only entered
into a gensral, and not minute aud
detailed Investigation of those ac-
counts, much good woaId still result
from it, as it would tend TO correct
frauds, or errors, If any, that it was
the duty oflhis branch OF the govern.
lgaeat to inspect the money concerns,
and see that they were correctly and
Ifsiia:uIly conducted etc
T'he resolutions we're then agreed
Ito in the following form:
Resolved, That the following
'standicg eomlaittees be appointed To
serve during the present congress
and that hereafter at the commence
'ment Of the first session in each
congress, liEs committees shall be,
appointed. whose duties Shall con-
tinue until the first session OF the
ensuing Congress.
A committee or so much Of the,
nphi;n aaenunis aai exneudifnres asl
relate TO the department OF staso.
A committee oa SO hlueh OF the
nubiic accounts and expenditures asI
relate to the treasury department
A committee or 50 mach OF thcI
accounts and expenditures as reiatel
to the department Of war.
A committee on 50 much of thaI
public accounts aad expenditures
as relate to the department. Of thei
Navy.
a committee on SO n1uoi, of the
public accounts and expenditures as
relate to the Post Office and
Il committee on so much OF the
-ublic accounts and expenditures al
|reiste TO pab!ie Buildings.
TIE said Committees SHALL consist
,of three members each.
Ii shall be the duty of the com
IInittees to examine into the state OF
the accounts and expenditures, re
Ispectiyely submitted TO the,a, and
Ito inquire and report Particular
jly.
Whether the expenditures Of the
departments ars justified
los law;
Whether the claims from time to
time satisfied and discharged by the
Irrespective departments are support
led by the sufficient vouchers, esta 4
'oiishing their business both as to
their character and amount;
Whether such claims have been
discharged out Of funds appropriated
therefor, and whether all monies