Delaware journal., 1828-02-19

! Extracts from MR. SERGEANT'S Speech on Mr.
4 Chlton's Resolution.
u Speaking Of the proposed enquiry Mr.. Sergeant
said:
He thought it unnecessary. Every inquiry propos
cd by this resolution, was already provided ior IN ac
cordance with the duty of the House, by the ap-
Epoptment of ommttecs, to give effect to the great
pnards of the constitution, within their respective
n spheres. No money can be drnYn from the Ireasn-
ru Jt m pursuance Of appropriations made BY too.
No officer can be oppointed but under the authorty
Of The constitution Of the lauvs. No salary can 6e a.
n fted to an office, but by the same 10arrant. Inc
Il Committee Of Ways and Means, a standing Colnml'
N tee Of the House. acts upon estimates furnished by
Y every denartment of the Government. When cal
led uuon to report appropriations, they compare
these estimates with existing laws and ex'suhg
exigencies, and report only such as are Justied by
law. sem
When they report the appropriation bills, each
item Of it is subject to the revision OF every mem,
Der of this House. The annual appropriation pi'l ~
brings every thing under review. The house 'se'i
Is to examine in detail, and see that all Is III eon
u formity with the law. Have we not too, Comuht.
tees on the expenditure of each Department Ahe
u a Committee on the Public Expenditures, to make
\ a biennial examination, and see that the moneys
have been faithfully applied, according to the aP
propriations, and folly accounted for =! He would
not speak at present of the manner in which Con
sress makes appropriations, nor how they are 10
accounted for, particularly the contingent funa
this House. or of any of the Departments But n
would saw ths-if there be any appointment M
authorized by law, or any salary paid which IN
law does not authorize, let the specific abuse
poined out and traced to its source, SO that the
ience and the offender may be known. lie knew
none SUCH :,
There was still another reason why he would n
4 have brought forward such IA resoiution--he spoi
sincerely and after listening to tins debate, as we
as making some examination for hmseii--lhere "
no basis laid for the resolution, as there ought
be, bv showing that there was abuse or extravaga
expenditure or such state of things as rendered
general enquiry necessary, eitherfor the purpose
Immediate correction, or, as had been intlmaed'
procure materials for more proplhous monel
The structure of this Government was not
work Of day. He did not speak OF the Consu
ton, but of the fabric which had been construct
under the Constitution for calculating its great p'
poses. 1t had not been built up at one tme' pu'
successive and continued exerton of successive
gsatures. II was not the work of one party, but
all the parties which had existed in the Unit
States. Begun by one, extended and enlarged
anotler-at one time perhaps carried too far'
then somewhat reduced, so as to adapt It TO the st'
OF the country, but in such reduction always foilo
ing the only course that lead to any pract'
result that Of examining it item by item, and PEI
6y piece.-It was not now the possession OF
Set of men, or of any one party, but OF the wh'
people of the United States, by whose immedi
representatives it had thus been constructed L
legislature was created by the Constitution-lts P
and expenses are regulated by itself. The exec
tive, too, was established by the Constitution. 1
Subordinate officers have been created by Congre
aad increased according to the growing wants OF Il