Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-07

there are other branches of that service hold
In my hand comparative statement of the en-
tire military expenditure for the years 1886,
and, by comparing the two, it will be perceiv-
ed that the expense Of the military service in
this country Tor the present year, is Ss5, 900
less than 1t was last year; and that, after giving
the S795,Ooo which is now asked for fortiica-
tons. The gentleman, therefore, need not be
alarmed Tor the safety Of the Treasury. The
gentleman from Pennsylvania. to whom last
alluded, tells us that we should not go farther
in granting money for Notifications, than we do
for the Navy. This argument is not sound
one, and facts will show that it is entirely in.
conclusive. A ship does not take the same
time to build il as fort, and you NAV. in We
ry few years, build and equip feet, while it
will take forty years to erect the works proper
for its protection What is the fact on this sub
ject? Did we last year appropriate only $780,
600 Tor the navy? Or did we not, in addition
to that sum, give S5oo,Oco more to build sloops
Of war? But the gentleman from Pennsylvania
does not do justice to this comparison He
does not include in il all the sums appropriated
for dock yards, for naval stations, for repairs;
these, sir, are stated expenses they are incur
red for the gradual increase of the navy. vet
they are not paid out Of the gradual increase
fund. do not regret that the navy receives
this appropriation Sir, do hear the gentle
man from Pennsylvania deny the correctness of
this statement
Mr.. Buchanan said he was very glad the gen.
tleman had asked him the question, for he did
not like to interrupt gentlemen when speaking,
in order TO explain But he thought the gen.
tleman had not done him Justice entirely, in
that and some other particulars, | do not mean,
said Mr.. B. to be drawn in as an enemy to for
tifcations. | never have been, and never will
be, opposed to the system. My object, on Fri
day last, was to procure postponement of the
bill, and not to defeat it. Mr.. made some OBJ
servation explanatory ofthe alledged unexpend-
ed balance, and then said, that, with regard to
a comparison between the navy and fortfca-
tons, he had uttered but one sentiment, which
was, that, in 1928, the appropriation for fortif-
cations had been fixed at FIVE hundred thou
sand dollars, in analogy to the annual appropri-
alton Of like amount for the increase Of the ma
Wy, and that he was not willing to go further
now, until he had seen the report Of the Com
mittee of Ways and Means He had not said
that he would not go farther-he did not say so
yet. Mr.. B. concluded by thanking the gentle
man for the compliment he had paid him, and
could sincerely say to the gentleman, in the
words Of celebrated author" Laus est te laudari'
Mr.. McLane resumed. The gentleman is
surely mistaken. Sir, have not mistaken or
missta,ed his argument. Here the honorable
gentleman quoted from the Speech of Mr..
Buchanan, as reported ir this paper. Now,
say, sir, that not one cent of moneys appropri-
ated for the year 1925, can go to any new OBJ
iects or purposes Of the year 1926, and there
fore that balance is not to be added to this cal
culalion. shall not, sir, at this time, go into
the argument of the gentleman in relation to
the public debt. will give the gentleman the
data from which have made the calculation,
that the war debt will be paid in 1929. The
debt amounts to forty millions, (six per cents.)
1t is only necessary TO pay the interest which
remains on this sum, and you extinguish the
debt, by the necessary operation of the Sink
ing Fund The estimate Of the Secretary Of
the Treasury informs YOU that there is an an
nual surplus of five millions Surprising, then
that we leave two millions in the Treasury ev-
cry year to meet the current expenses, you will
have annually disposable balance of three
millions, which in four years will amount to
twelve millions, the sum necessary 10 extin-
gush this debt But Mr.. Speaker, although
l have asked you, as it was my duty to do, to
appropriate S795, 900 this year for Notifications
yet if any gentleman think that the rate at
which we are proceeding is too rapid, I am
willing 10 60 with him, at least into an inquiry,
which shall have for its object the limiting Of
the appropriations TO this object hereafter. But
cannot consent to limit it now contracts have
been made in part for these works, and author
ity has been given by the Department to make
other contracts for their completion. 1t is The
habit of the Department to make their con-
tracts in advance. They do right. 1t is their
duty to look not only to the present, but to the
coming year. In doing this they are governed
by the estimates; and again repeat, that, if
the estimates are wrong, let gentlemen i'm
peach their accuracy, and prove them to be
wrong. But until the opposers Of the bill can
furnish US with estimates, of more correct
character, we are bound by those we have got.
We are bound by them on the principle OF
confidence do not mean slavish confidence,
but | mean that sort Of confidence which adj
mits the use Of reason, but which resists sus-
picion and insinuation.
mean, said Mr.. McLane, that liberal conf
dcnce which is reposed by frank and upright
mind in those whom we knowto possess both
skill and integrity. mean, sir, such a sort of
confidence as the constituents Ct the hon. gen.
tleman from Penn. feel, that he will perform
his duty on this floor, with that ability and up
.yh;rL bo dooc carforn, ~