Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-06-10

| of the War Department, and the eight subordinate
offices. The estimates and the appropriations for
contingencies are also, far it is practicable. d.
ylded into heads or parts For instance, in the es-
Inmates for Department OF State at the present ses-
sion, the contingencies are arranged under fifteen
heads and the appropriation asked for each, ncu-
ding books stationary fuel, and candles, newspapers
extra copying, printing OF the laws, distribution ofhe
laws, sc.
The estimates being placed in the hands Of the
Committee Of Ways and Means, and of every mem
mer of Congress, they have tie opportunity (Which
they have not failed to improve with becoming ygi-
lance) of judging of the reasonableness OF every
item proposed. In forming this Judgement they
have the means of comparison with the preceding
expenditure, and if they find any new head OF ex-
pence introduced, or any old swelled beyond its
former size, orif they entertain doubt OF the pro-
| priey OF any part Of the expenditure they have
the right of asking for the explanation. which they
always exercise, as in duty they ought Upon the
result of this examination, vigorously made, first by
the committees, and then by both Houses OF Con-
gress, the judgment Of Congress is formed, and that
Judgement is expressed in the appropriation bill as
4 applicable TO the services of the year, The APP
pi opriaton bill, therefore, pronounces the opinion
of Congress upon each and every item embraced by
it, necessary for the public service, and also upon
the amount which may be applied to each and
every item. The discussions upontb appropr-
alton bills, have, for many years been rigorous and
faithful.
! The amount thus appropriated cannot be
ceeded. This is true not only in general, but also
in every detail. The Head of Department is Ii
mted in his contingent expenses, to the amount
which is appropriated for this Department. The
head of subordinate branch is confined to the SUM
estimated for the branch. Neither can draw from
the Treasury one dollar beyond the appropriation.
And each, in his respective expenditures, is to keep
within the bounds prescribed for the particular head
of expenditure so that what is assigned for one
service cannot be employed for another It is OBJ
vious therefore, that to the amount to be expend~
ed for contingencies, the objects for which 1t IS to
be expended, very little is left to the discretion of
the officer; and it ought to be remembered, that
lit is his first duty to that the public service ~
performed he must not sacrifice that for the purpose
of saving the money placed at his disposal frt per-
!, ! formance.
=. The expenditure itself next comes under review
i 1t is presented annually in a condensed form, in
= tables accompanying the letter Of the Secretary of
the Treasury, at each session of Congress, under its
= appropriate heads. In pursuance OF a standing or
81 der of the House, made the 5oth December. 79l,
= there is also published an annual account of all
ceps and payments for the year, giving the name OF
: every Individual to whom payment has been made
from the Treasury. AND still further to secure the
. faithful application of the public monies, there is
- standing Committee appointed at every Congress-
ie upon each Of the Departments Of the Government,
- whose business it is to examine into their expend-
y per vouchers establishing their business, both TO
y their character and amount" and 8 whether any
Gu retrenchments can be made. So that, after under
a. going the scrutiny of the accounting officers where,
IT, like all other accounts they must be supported by
VI proper vouchers, they again examined by com
es mee of the House. 1t ought to be remarked thai
IN every officer is liable at all times be called upon
es' by resolution of the House and that, ly the pre-
or vaing practice this power really belongs to every
ATE member, for call is ever resisted or opposed.
our 1t would be difficult to devise any plan by which
this point of the contingent expenses of the Depart
ems ments could be closely brought, con
ex- tinually kept under the notice of Congress fl
ion appreciation censure, a more rigid accountable
one ity exaced. But this (tho highly mportan0 is Mt
uch much the occasion of the observations which hay
saw been made, another remark to which they
nse y give rise, and which is deemed worthy of atten
any ion. The minority of the Committee will endeavoI
to explain what they mean 50 distinctly as not to
Hry, misunderstood.
As the appropriations for each year, for the CO
giant +nont exnanses nf tbe Dan,rtn,en+s ,ra f,n,d
that - oot;m,tee for that yaar and .dontoJ ~ :
pe service expected to occur. it will follow in gener
me that the mere fact that the expenditure is greater
Pc less than in any preceding year, taken by ITSELF
ure' not be evidence OF extravaganza or economy. n
ucu- be the Just occasion of praise censure. In
'e expenditure greater than thato the continge
the cies, small addition might be the cause OF
20 as siderable comparative increase. An instance
TAM point will be found among the accounts furnish
also from the Treasury. In the years 1925, 1896, al
ID by 1897 it became necessary. in consequence of
provisions of the law authorising the loans of 8
well and 1874 that the certificates to be paid off shou
tally be determined by lot, and that the holders of the
pria- should have due notice. The necessity w
thus produced for publishing advertisements throug
rint the United States stating the numbers and
for cunts Of certificates to be redeemed This had
Sc occurred for many years. To provide for the e.
ends pence of advertising the appropriation bill of SO
ates allowed the sum of 5000 dollars, and the AMIR,