Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-16

tue IeSotuuons ne shouu suppose tnst NE mover OF
had no right Ia alter il at his pleasure He didno,
know, that, as a separate proposition, he should
have any objection TO this resolution; but, as the
| subject vas d new one, and the introduction of il
appeared TO him to be Ono, meaning TO use the term
IN otfen-ive sense) aston of the rule which
requires resolutions calling for information, to lie
| one day Tor consideration, he hoped the gentleman
| from North Carolina would consent 10 withdraw
The amendment
Mr.. Saunders said, he not disposed to with
draw it the amendment certainly had connexion
With the subject of the resolution, for, like that
subject i, proposed an Inquiry respecting the COM
pensaton Of diplomatic agents.
Mr.. Powell said, that whenever there was
| suggestion of abuse Of power by the Executive,
he thought it became the duty Of this House to
sustain any inquiry into such abuse which was pro-
posed. II the Executive has abused his power, il
| ought to be known, and if proved. In undergo the
| Reproduction OF this House. II, however, he has
strictly discharged his duty it due 10 him that
the House should institute the inquiry, 10 relieve
him from unjust impu'alion. He hoped, therefore,
that the resolution would be allowed to pass in the
shape which ii had assumed.
Mr.. Webster said that he wished it TO be under,
| stood, that he was perfectly willing TO vote for
| the resolution rs now amended his only objection
was its violation, In his opinion Of The spirit of the
| rules Of the House.
The Speaker here decided the amendment, to be
IN order. and stated the grounds of his decision
from which Mr.. Webster continued to dissent. but
without appealing from the decision having no OBJ.
lection TO vote for the resolution as it's God
Ihe question was thea taken on agreeing 10 the
resolution, as amended, and decided in the aiErma-
tive.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT, SC.
Ihe following resolution, moved by Mr. Wick
lire yesterday, and laid upon The table was called
up, and read
:" Resofued, That the Secretary of war report
TO this House abstract Of The applications filed
| IN his department for the survey of Roads & Ca.
nails, which have not been surveyed, stating the
route OF such Roads, and The probable distance of
each route; and. also, the location of such Canals
Mr.. Cook having inquired what was the object
OF the gentleman from Kentucky, in moving the
! resolution
Mr. Wicklitfe said, il had been proposed a,
'h,s session 10 inquire INTO the expectancy of
withholding the general appropriation for surveys.
&c. anu 70 substitute for IL specific appropriations
Tor such surveys as Congress ehoud thirk proper
10 authorize. 1t had struck him, as proper. pre
iiminary 10 the consideration of this matter tba,
| Congress should have some information az IN m.
exten; OF these surveys, which were likely IN he
called Tor; and that the best way OF getting at th.
information, would be 10 have list of the appIica
! tons, sc.
Mr.. Cook then said that the resolution called
Tor Information which could be OF no use wha,.ve,
10 the House and would be productive of much
inconvenience; and lie was, therefore opnosea IN
u. ihst there had been many applications to the
| War Department for surveys, there could he mn
oouD but whether there had been one Or five
iohofeo, could be matte. of no Importance 10 the
aouse' These calls, he said, furnished convent
ent mode OF eliciting able aud patriotic letters
written by Members OF Congress 10 the Depart
mient out however able and patriotic they nigh,
De- lie did mol wish the House to be al the trouble
and expense OF obtaining copies of them. Lei this
practice be INDUCED, and The takles of the House
would be loaded with printed volumes OF these m,
ssrs II was also Tor the purpose of ex,neui.h
| ing an unnatural appetite for internal imn,ors
| ihen's, OF such a nature as never can he acrom
pshed, tina! he was disposed 10 arrest th. car ,or
voiuiies oi papers, Recommending or proposing
| measures, most oil which were of that descrin,ion
Mr.. AcLsne chairman of the Commi,te. ofI
ways and Means) said, that he should be In favor
OF ohis resolution, II he correctly understood the
ehJect OF II, which lie believed he did. He hored
That he should not now, or al any other time be
suspected OF throwing any unnecessary sn,har-
!ass'heh' IN the way OF internal Improvement: but
" appeared 10 him, from The attention which his
station In this House required Of him 10 bestow on
'he state OF the finances, and of the e,tima,ea ~
appropriations Tor the ensuing wear that the ti,r
was come, when this House must turn its attpnto,
mucn more seriously and particularly, TO the ex
pehditures on this class of Objects as ell az others
than II has done heretofore.
VIII become question, (said he, } whether the
government Is In possession OF means to prose |
cute This sysiem any further, and If il have t,e
means whether 1t ought not to select the obiccfs
which ave most necessary, and the time when i, i.
most proper To employ the means OF the Cavern
ment upon them. The House was under a, i'm
preston, and, hir. Mel said il was natural rho,
tney should be, that there is now surplus of two
million Of dollars in the Treasury, app,,cab,s ~ |
any purpose 10 which il may please the Housa IN |
appropriate 1t. He could not be mistaken he |
thought, IN ga, ing that such is moi the state a. the
treasury, anu that, so Tar froin it, there is def
{" VI the money necessary to meet the ordinary
annual expenses OF the Government incIudino IN.
sinking Fund. He made this remark To ie,,,oa
gentlemen to inquire, and satisfy themselves. be-
lore the appropriation bills brought in. wha,
~ the state OF the Treasury nov. He believed hs
might say, That the:e full disposition in the
COMMITTEES OF Ways and Means 10 grant. fo- ~
Jects OF Internal Improve ment which Con.,es
should designate, every cent that was practicable
ph ths was the first time, since the comm encement
oil leg saing tor this object, that it had or resented IT,
sen 'o' consideration, when the mesDs " ere want
rug " appropriate Tor 1t. Now, in he annual es-
Inmates Of appropriations, 202 900 dollars we're
pu' down for these surveys and Internal Im,rovs-
ments, and something like 80 900 dollars was all
CT Tor, Tor The continuation Of the examination and
surveys authorized by the act of May, 1924 Tbi.
sum was wanted at time when there was mt
money IN The Treasury 10 pay it; and, if il was
granted, additional Ways and Means mus, be nro-
Vided 10 pay 1t. In this state Of the Treasury. il
became necessary 30 consider seriously of the nro
pTiey OF retreHchi0g the public Expenditures. and
any ie"epcbment was to be made, il must be
msue mere IL was Impossible to know, without
information, upon what object this expenditure is
me- ia ;.C Il