Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-01-18


Oa hdd'i'omW appropriations for he seaport
ofthe Macy for 1919.
MIR. BRUSH, in coutinuaiionJ
II Is enough To rrlnir The supposi,iop,
HAT the disposition of these funds i,
part oi The legislative duties OF Congress-;
Thai they mist b. made acquainted with
their situation every year, aud may Iii, erl
them from Any dangerous application
The discretion thus vested 10 transfer
from one object 10 another, III tie recess
OF Congress, pel.eclS The system, as II
secures the end OF the appropriation,
at Inc same time thai IL provides against
ANY possible 'nisapphraiion by The de-
pariU r's. cannot persuade myself TO
oeheve the ACT ~ 1869 was approved by
The Executive then in office, without
knowing lis contents that he signed
without reading il. and thus finished his
administration by over'urnlng his own
policy. There Is more reason 10 believe
lie viewed il as ihe perfection OF thai sys-
ten. nus interpreted, the practice un.
0"r this law has been uniform, known
aud approved by the Congress, for near
eleven wears
Their repeated acts of appropriation
since, without any such provision OH The
SUBJECT as Is contemplated by this amend
meh', without! amy expression OF their will
In HE contrary, may be considered lp-
gisiaiivc sanction OF the Interpretation
anu practice OF The executive government
DufinS all That lime no proposition, as |
can learn, was ever made 10 modify, alter
or repeal tins provision in the law-Gen-
ilemen had an oppor,unity-lt bad in the
oeSIhilng and dangerous now, how has
u SO long escaped the scrutiny and vigil
LAM al 4
m'nt proposes 10 alter the policy and
practice III d particular case, III relation
Ia one department aud implies reflection
upon department and upon The exc
cu,iFe- IL effect II is an expression that
there IS reason 10 apprehend The admins
iraiion vii! not be faithful 10 themselves
and 10 Tier country if this provision be
nor inserted. II IL is deemed expedirnt
10 change ibis policy and The practice
no" r.niered familiar and convenient by
long and constant use, it ought 10 be
done ny general law upon lie subject,
embracing ,he objects intended, and re-
iai!ug 10 every department., that IL NAV
become system. Inserting il here i'm.
piieS preference for one or want OF
confidence III The other. That expeudi-
lures have exceeded appropriations, is
not new thing peculiar To This depart.
II, M It has, perhaps, happened with
ai!, aud been frequent III the government
Tor tndny Vears-knOWn 10 the Legislature,
aud nGt hitherto complained of WHY
nov select this department for Ills pre-
cIsion III legislation, this extraordinary
crcumspecfiOn! Acts of the las. Con.
eress, pa ssed late in the session, Intended
10 provide efficient means TO suppress the
slave trade and piracy, by authorizing
The Executive 10 use lie naval force Of
the country for that object, were made
Tor the pubic GOOD ami it was expected
the duties erinincd by them would be
per Ormed. The expenditures, which
make tbs appropriation necessary, have
Dc'n nccdsI"nyd by that service, to which
rdeGudie means were not provided or fur
nlshea by lie legislature, and the fault
hti with llem II there be any. The faith
OF 'he nailon may b. considered pledged
tu provide ihe ways and means for This
expenditure. am disposed 10 meet
lhIs duty AMI perform it in the usual
way, ANA shall vote against the amend
ment.
Mr. SToRRs said, that he was not very
tenacious OF retaining, III this particula
bli, lie amendment which had been d.
dCpiyd, on hts suggestion, in The com
opinion now appeared 10 be general, that
SOM mobilization or resiTriction,of the
poser OF transferring apprOpria tons was
necessary and expodi,nl. His object
might perhaps be better attained by a
general law applicable 10 all tie depart
mcrts.
The resolution offered Ibis hav by the
honorable gentleman from South Carroll
ia Mr LowndeS) woHld lead. he hoped,
TO some amendment Of the laws. in this
respect. But he conld moi Withdraw the
amendment IN compliance with Tie rea-
sons which had been urged by the homo
rable gentleman from Ohio (Mr Brush }
HE honorable gentleman objects TO the
restriction imposed by the amendment
| because " might he construed 10 implV
| cenSure or import a reflection" on the
| department. He lid not admit The pro.
| preiy or justice OF such a conclusion ia
! lhls case. The character Of the gentle
| man WHO presided over the NAVY depart.
meni was TO bin 4 satisfactory pledge that
no abuses would be tolerated there viii,
his sanction or knowledge but le trust.
ed That The House would never from mis-
taken notions OF delicacv or courtesy de.
| cline 10 interfere, should il become ne.
| ccssaTy 10 check abuses or correct t'.s
nisconsIrucIion of the public laws. To
whom does the honorable gentleman sup
pose the departments TO be responsible
unless 10 the House of Representatives
At whose will hey were created, aud al
whose pleasure they exist At what
tribunal would he have them answer iol
| We public expenditure, unless 10 this
House, Are they clothed with such ~.
tributes that the House should refuse ,t
eHefcIse lis right OF controlling tic dis.
bursemeni of the public money in deie
renee TO their official sauctiiy? Wuulc
| lLle gemllenlam Mlsh us 10 lnrLear IN.