Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-11
IN SENATE.

praying Tor continuance OF the
present duty on imported salt. Ordered to lie on
the table.
The Vice President communicated letter from
tue Secretary oil War, containing statement of
the expenditures of the Department during the
past year, on Armories, Arsenals, Sc.
The bill supplementary to an act TO provide for
the adjustment of claims of persons entitled to in
identification under the first article of the Treaty
OF Client, was reada third time; and, on the ques-
ton, Shall this bill pass, was decided in the affir-
NATIVE by the following vote
fEAs-Messrs. Barnard, Barton, Bell. Boulig-
ny, Chase, Cobb, Ellis, Harrison, Hayne John
son OF Louisiana, Knight Mciane, Noble, Rob
bins, Seymour, Silsbee, Smith Of Md. Webster,
Wilams-I9.
NAys-Messrs. Branch Chandler, Foot, Kane.
Mckinley, Macon, Paris, Ridgeley, TazewelI,
White, Willie, Wocdbury-l2.
The bill TO provide for the distribution of part
OF the revenues of the United States, among the
several States, was taken up in Committee of the
Whole, with an amendment reported by the Select
Committee to which it was REFERRED and, OH mo-
ton of Mr.. Smith of Nd the bill and amendment
were ordered 10 lie OH the table.
VISITORS AT WEST POINT.
ihe unfinished business OF Tuesday was then
taken up, being the bill making appropriations for
the support OF the Military Establishment, for the
year 1928; the motion OF Mr.. Branch, TO strike
out the appropriation of 1900 dollars for the ex-
penses OF the vislters TO the Military Academy at
P" est Point, being under consideration,
MIR. Harrison made some explanations as TO the
comparative expenditure Of former years and the
present time. He said that, formerly, very lit
Tie else but the transportation of the baggage of
officers was subject of charge, on account of this
visitation As civilians had latterly been chosen as
the visiters and some OF them residing at a great
distance, the payment of their travelling expen-
ses had swelled the amount 10 the sam at present
required.
MIR. Chambers remarked that the expenditures
had hitherto been paid of the contingent fund:
SwelleN NJ ornn tfcia IN
large to require specific appropriation; and the
Secretary had very properly referred the motion
TO Congress.
Mr.. Harrison added, if this appropriation were
refused, there could be no vsiters to the Academy
as 1t could not be supposed that private indvidt-
ais would pay their own expenses, while on du-
~ to which they were called by the Government
MIR. White said, that his chief objection to the
appropriation was, that there was no law creating
the officers to whom it paid. He knew of no
law which created such an officer as Visitor of
Wnsh al once or Commission become suficienIIv
important to be provided for by distinct item in
an appropriation bill, it ought to be supported by
the authority ofiaw. The expense for this object
had swelled from 200 TO upwards of 1000 dollars.
ana mad therefore become an item worthy of at
tcntion: Until the law appointed the'officers, ex-
planned the duties, and fixed the manner and rate
OF their compensation, there ought to be no speci-
nc appropriation for the purpose. II this provision
was stricken out, it would not have the effect of
preventing the visitation as the matter would re-
man as 1t was before. Ii was in the power of the
Department 10 send visiters, and it might be done
as before. The sum, while a small one, had
been paid out ofthe contingent fund, and if the
presentmotion prevailed, it would remain as in
times past, in the character of an incidental expen-
diture, the contingent fund being the same sum
as formerly. These were the reasons why he
should vote for striking out the whole sum.
MIR. Noble spoke at great length in opposition
to the motion ithad been stated, he said, that,
from the beginning, the appointing and paying the
Yisiters to the Military Academy was an assump-
ton OF power. Ii it was so, Congress had to com
plain of itself. The power had been employed
for years, and must have been within the know
ledge of Congress. Why then, If il was an as
sumption OF power, had not Congress interposed
TO prevent ats continuance! IL had also been said,
mat system OF tavoritiSm was pracised at the y
cademy; and he had heard of LCeH-Jo sons being
preferred to others If such was the case, ne
wished another resolution might be Introduced to
inquire who created the system of lavoritism IL
would be found tina; members of Congress were M
the bottom OF il. They ought not TO shield them
selves. Call for the names, said Ms. ~ of those
VINO have recommended cadets, and you will find
That members OF Congress have had more 10 do
With thisscandal about we'll born sons than any one
else 1t ought to be inquired into-and this mpu-
Lauon not allowed TO go out to the People TO |
create prejudice against the Administration He !
spoke in high terms Of the character Of the Secre
AIRY OF War. III this appropriation was thrown out !
L would not have the effect which gentlemen sup
posed IL would not be as it was formerly. Ii !
you'd show the Secretary that this was an ex- !
'enditure which Congress did not approve, be- (
'ause 1t was not in the spirit Of retrenchmcnt, of
which they had heard so much. This was one I
IT the continual and continued attempts TO put
Town the Administration, which he believed to be /
he best in the known world If the gentleman !
rom Tennessee complained Of the amount of ex-
'eDse for this visitation he could inform him that
he most expensive Board of Visters had been that
'ver which the present Governor of Tennessee
resided. That gentleman had thought it his pro-
'lnce 10 give dinners, for which Mr.. n. did not |
'iame him; but only mentioned it 10 show who
the extravaganza, IL such il was to he
considered, Of the Visitors Of West Point. He
hould go for the whole appropriation, and regret
ed That the motion had been made, because il
night be construed as a reflection upon the pre-
ent incumbent Of the War Department.
MIR. Smith, Of Md. said, that the contingent fund
4 the War Department had uniformly been 10 900
ollars, and the expenses Of the visiters had been
aid out OF Il. The sum for their expenses had
4 late years become so large, that the Secretary
bought il had better be supplied by specific APP
'ropriation He had asked for 5000 dollars, but
he other House had cut il down TO 1900. The
had also asked for $4,000 Tor the con
ingent fund. The House had reduced that sum
o 10000 dollars. Ifnow this provision were de-
lied, and the Secretary to pay the vsitersout
f the contingent fund, II would be reduced to
200 dollars. Whether this would be a sufficient
rogision for the contingent expenses Of the year,
e did not know.
Mr.. Chandler Observed that he had at first been
n favor Of making and retaining 800 dollars for
bis purpose; but under the consideration that these
Ulcers were not appointed by law, he should
ote FOR the present motion, The Secretary would
e ale ~ 1'ec, 80 Tocessites cfthc Institution