Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-08

raj appropriation bill, usually passed towards
the close OF the session, the wheels of govern
ment must stop their motion. The first appro-
priaiion regarded the quarter masters de- |
partment In this instance it was in,lispen- |
SADLY necessary 10 look forward. Expenses |
were weekly and daily accruing, which must |
be- paid, or the operations of that department |
must cease. Nor could this be attended |
with INJURY; for the amount that should be |
now appropriated would he deducted from
the sum total of the ss;inlateto be presented,
when the general appropriation bill should
be brought forward, embracing the total "a
mount oi expenditure in that department for
that year. OF the same character was the
item IN relation 10 the pay OF the army and
subsistence of the officers. There had been
AN effort Ia limit aud control the dsoursc-
inents IN this particular, but the means resort
ed L. had failed OF complete success. Blu,
tins ais" would he subject 10 examination,
and deduction from the total estimate when
the general appropriation hill shall be finally
acted ON. Mr.. ). presented to the consdc-
ration OF the House 4 statement of the various
expenditures that had occurred in relation TO
The Indian DeI,u tmcnt, shelving the disburse-
ments that had been MACS from the year 8lI
TO the year 1921, in which the minimum tx
penditurs was 100000. greater sum for
the current year was not contemplated by the
Secretary. 1t was necessary, however, as
well Tor the purposes of wholesome econo-
my, as the preservation of national faith, that
there should be no chlsm or stoppage in the
iuiiilincnt Of our contracts, or such disburse-
ments as were authorised or directed by our
laws. The Indian Agents resided at IA great
distance from tins government, and continui-
~ ot supplies was essential TO the harmony of
the parties and the good faith of the country
III would also be recollcctcd that this item
also would be taken into the account when the
general appropriation should he under cumsi-
deratIon With respect To the amount intend
ed io be appropriated for the revolutionary
pensioners, he would observe that the sccre-
tary OF war had expected to he enabled To
pay their claims from the surplus moneys of
the preceding year. But it now appears tia.
; there Is deficit Of AL 900 that should
nave been granted 10 meet the necessary dis
burscments. The consequence has therefore
ioliowed, that, from the sd of September.
they have been refused payment. The gene
raj appropriation bill cannot be expected ts.
be passed in time 10 meet their Just expccta-
t'ons IN all the various sections of this com
Try, o. the next sem-annual day of pay ment
VIZ on the Sd day of March next. Unless
this anticipation, therefore, is made. they will
be compelled to subSist for the next half-ycar
also on private or public charity. The winter
had now set III, and he could not but hope
That tic war-worn soldier would be enabled 10
5 sustain the winters cold by the warm and
cheering influence uf his country's gratitude
As IT was not III his power TO fnresee any rea-
sonable objection TO the appropriations asked
for, he hoped The committee would find no
uilhcul'y In giving them their cordial support
MIR TRACY thought that when bills passed
this house, their titles should correspond with
the object they profess to have i'm VIEW
The fiftn nT fh;, H.. n
IT, should have been 60 a bill to supply the def
c!encics OF appropriations for 1871" This
Dill presented by the committee of WAYS and
deans, was reported some days ago-before
the year 500 had commenced 1t was evil
aently OF a retrospective character. He would
be glad 10 be informed how much had been
previously granted, and how it had been ex-
pended. In relation to the Indian Depart
ment,S 100000 were called for 10 meet " cur
rent expenses" But of this sum we are in
formed that $4,000 have been already cypen
ded, or are now due, owing to the deficient
| appropriation of the last year. Mr. T. then
adverted to the statement made by the Chair
man OF the Committee of Ways and Means,
| ana endeaVored 10 shew that the amount now
asked Tor III this item related to previous OK.
| pcnditure and not to prospective dsburse-
mcnt. His particular objection to this part Of
| the bill was, that it did not carry UPON its face
ITS true name and character. He had, howe
yer, genera! objection to appropriations of
inns sort, which extended not only to the In
dian department, but TO the military service,
inat the disbursements We're not sufficiently
limited and distinct. The appropriations for
different years should be clearly married.
! They should not run into each other. If thew
were permitted to become thus internixed
anu confused, IT was impossible to limit, de-
line, or restrain the public expenditure Nj.
Il. commended, in respect to the deficit propo
sed to be supplied for the revolutionary pen
sloners, that the passage of the bill would not
cOnduce to their relief or comfort, as no paw
ment would be made to them prior to the. Sd
OF March. He thought the information given
was not sufficiently explicit, and there was
reason to apprehend that lOanwoud be cali
ed for before the session should have expired.
Should such a result be likely 10 ensue il was
desirable TO know the worst of it at AN early
period of the session.
Mr.. FLOYD remarked, that for several years |
past, we have heard it said, over and over a. |
gam, that greater economy was about being |
introduced into the expenditures of The. War
Department, and each year was to produce
some improvement in that respect, the las; |
Dclng the most economical. Now, Mr.. r. |
SAID, 1t the War Department had been ma |
naScd Tor the past year with more economy |
80. - "au "cCu previously, ne appealed TO the |
judgment OF every member Of the House
whether its affairs could have been rightly adj |
mlnisiered heretofore, seeing that, even in
this era of economy, the expenditures had cx
ceeded the appropriations. Every year, the
House waspresented with sucha hill as is,for
mar"lnG partial appropriation and every wear
the annual appropriation bill was put Otto the
latest hour. Last year, 1t was almost IL O'clock
on the last night of tbs session, ifnot past before
It finally passed. Mr.. +. adverted to the an
preparation proposed for the Indian Depart