Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-26

TO professional gentleman orservices of Judge
Advocate--and lastly to the expenses allowed !
to the Commissioners of the Navy for going to |
the Eastward, some time about the New York |
Races, but-perhaps, also, upon other business.
Nj. &. concluded by moving to reduce the APP
preparation for this item to AN hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, which he afterwards varied to
an hundred and eighty thousand dollars.
p MIR. McLane replied to the objections Of Mr..
Cooke, by statements derived from official pa
pers which he had received in reply to inquiries
made upon the subject at the proper Offices. by
the Committee of Ways and Means. although
he himself thought there were items of expen-
diture under this head which were objectiOna-
bic, and was inclined to think that this fund
had not been administered as it ought to have
been. But many of these items, he said, had
always been allowed, and were Indispensable
such as the necessary expenses of travelling to
attend courts martial, fuel quarters, &c. the in-
cidentai expenses of the recruiting service, &c.
From the information which he had received,
this item of appropriation was subject to the
payment of clerix-hire, otfice-rent, stationery,
Transportation of munitions, OF war, freight,
piIotarc wharfage, storage, and all those objects
Of expenditure not included under any specific
head of appropriation though forming collective.
~ an important item. If there. were any abuse
in the expenditure, he was inclined TO think 1t
was in allowing travelling expenses to officers
who are not ordered special service, but
merely to Join their ships. If that were forbid
den, it would reduce the amount perhaps some
eight or ten thousand dollars. At present, how
ever, he tlonght it better to make the appropri-
alton called for and leave the abuses, if any, to
be corrected by the administration of the Navy
Department. Mr.. McLanc here read several
papers connected with this subject, one Ofwhich,
from the Secretary of the Navy, stated the sum
u s2s225 600 dollars to be absolutely necessary
for the contingent expenditure OF the present
year. Mr.. McI4anc also reviewed the history
OF this particular appropriation, and showed that
lie amount now asked for was less than the aver
age appropriation for the same item for the last
i've years, &c.
The question being taken Oh filing the blank
with 225 900, as asked by the Navy Department
and moved by the chairman of the Committee
of Ways and Means, there were, Ayes 30, Noes
"a; quorum not being prcsent-and an officer
was despatched to summons absent members.
MIR. Whipplc made some remarks in support
OF the appropriation; if it were withheld, seri-
Gus embarrassment might cnstie. The present
incumbent had not had time to reform abuses, if
they did exist. He hoped thorough investga-
ton would take place, as soon the proper
time had been allowed to him.
Mr.. Taylor stated what had been formerly
expended under this head. He Showed why il
should be somewhat larger the present year,
from the employment of the West India squad
ron, &c. lie indicated the conduct of the late
Secretary of the Navy, but could have wished
that several of the items in, the account of con-
tingcnt expenses had been more explicit. On
the whole, he did not see that the sum could
be reduced.
MIR. Lvermore observed, that, whatever the
sum appropriated under the head of contingencies,
it was always expended. twas never too much,
but always just enough-and SO he supposed it
would be if it were made half a million. He
did not inpute this to malfcasancc in the heads
of Departments, &c.
MIR. Cooke replied to Mr.. Taylor. The adj
uitional expenses SGcasioned by the West India
squadron, and those for repairs, were not inclu-
ded in thisanount. The whole of this sum went
ID the gentlemen on shore. Those in service
at sea, got none of it. He had found, on in
curing in the Offices, that certain accounts
were allowed because 5. Il. was written a
gainst them. lie was opposed TO all usage and
custom not fixed by law.
Mr.. Culpcper hoped the appropriatiorfwould
be reduced, as he was satisfied some improper
sums had been formerly allowed.
dr. Dwight gshc information as to one item
OF xpcnditure, which was to be allowed to Hen
~ Eckiord, of 3 1000 for an acre OF ground in "a
sbarrer-country, sc.
Mr.. Tucker stated reasons why the Committee
of Accounts for the Navy Department had not
reported generally on tac subject OF these cX-
penditures.
hlr. w HiPpie icpiic.i 10 hF. CoCAc-'t'ii re-
ferrci to a former year, when the appropriation
IN the Indian Department had been suddenly re-
duced, and bad consequences ensued. To Mr..
3Iivcrrnore he answered, by referring TO the fact
that $1,000 OF last years appropriation re-
manned, at this moment, unexpended
Mr.. Liyermoore corrected the gentleman las;
up. The balance was not $4,000, bit only
Sl1 81 cents. The appropriation asked was
for extra allowances, and officers would always
present demands enough to absorb it.
Mr.. Storrs corrected misunderstanding as to
some Of the documents which had been quoted,
which he showed was no basis from which to
calculate the present appropriation,
Mr.. McLanc, replied and explained the do
cnment referred to by Mr.. Storrs.
Mr.. Williams, OF North Carolina required
further explanation OH the items intended TO be
covered by the ALPHABETICALLY one item of
$500, for the service of Judge Advocate at
Boston, who served but for GO days.
Mr.. Ten EyciS explained some local circun.
stances, respecting the Navy Point, al Sackett's
IIarbor.
Mr. Fuller replied to Mr.. Williams, and cx-
planned circumstances in relation to the
item referred TO by him.
Mr.. Cooke made some further observations
and read letter from one of the auditors OF the
Treasury in relation to certain accounts, COPIES
OI winch had been requested by Mr. c.
The question being then taken on filling the
blank with S225,0J0 it was decided in the ne
getiyc.
The question then recurring on the amend
ment preposci by hr. Cooke, to- fill the blank
with 100000, and, being put, it passed in the
affirmative.
Mr.. McLane, novel TO amend the 18th line,
by inserting after the word 8 stations" the fol-