Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-24

defeated by the irreso,ar aud unlawful practices o.
the Navy Department. The annual reports Con,
gress give correct Information of the expenditures
under each head, ard for any purpose of that kind,
no better than blank paper. They worse, for
they mislesd and deceive. find that of thos-
experienced in the public accounts attribute their
present condition in the Navy Department to the sys-
TEN of specific appropriations. am prepared
admit that it is much the fault Of the system of
its administration The system is difficult, but
,ainy not impracticable. All will admit that it ought
to be enforced abolished know of but one mode
of enforcing IL. Let Congress give appropria-
ton to meet all arrcarsges under every head of appro
praton prior to the first day of January, 1850. Let
every account in the Navy Department be settled up
to that day. and all balances due paid Of that sr.
preparation. Let Careful estimates be made for eN-
penses accruing in 1850, and part of the money
appropriated for that year TO be paid any
accrung prior TO that year. Compel every discussing
officer to make careful estimates of the need
ed by him under each head; forbid his paying out
nancy for other purposes than those for which il is
sent to him, and refuse him credits for all over pay
men,s Let transfers be made, except in the
gency and in the manner prescribed by law; and let
such may be made, BE- reported TO Congress the
law requires, that the deficiency may be supplied.
With strictness and severity in executing the law.
think the present system practicable. But il is
pcatct and difficult, and, in respects, unsafe
Let any member of Congress, other person, how.
ever talented and Intelligent enter this office and
attempt to ascertain for what purposes the public
money has been paid during. the last four years.
Where will he look for the information? W;Eie turn
to the books They will 6 We him The entries
are all in general terms under each head and give 10
clue to The real character of the vouchers VIII he
ask the Clerks! Their recoections inlsiinct and
unsatisfactory. lie can procure what he wants only
oy PERSONAL inspection Of the ten thousand YOU
ers III thousands OK accounts which it would tax e
months to examine. have been III this office about
sN months and all I know of past transactions has
oeen Obtained by accident in the necessary routine of
oas'ness, or IN tedious investigations. What thor
may be concealed in the numerous boxes and files of
papers which fill the passage, the shelves, and the
pidseon holes of the Office, know not nor can ever
EnnG Al
contents of every bundle. Without loner research
we cannot tell what the building or fitting out of arv
ship has cost any thing else of those hundred items
OF information whichare always intefe ting and often
use1"i. The various items scattered through the
books OF the office under heads ofapproDration
from which 1t Is always difficult, and sometimes impos
sbie to Gull and colae thenn These heads of apnro
Pra'on as they appear in the books of this Office are
ike splendid distractions, moro beautiful in theory
than useful in practice.
iappears to me, all the benefits now derived from
specc appropriations Igt be realized without tn cir
ihConren'ehceS by requiring the Department present
specific estinates,-by appropriating sum in gross
iof the support OF the Maryland by requiring the
Secretary to account annually for the sums expended
under each head OF his estimates. 70 enforce the
present system, lbeal estimates must be made under
each mead to meet unexpected emergencies because
one head cannot depend for relief on another; but
upon tae plan suggested, general allowance for
emergencies would be sufficient and the aggregate
amount OF appropriations need not be so great. To
enforce the present system it will also be necessary Il,
Seep balance under each head in the hands of every
osoursing officer thereby magnifying the aggregate
al ms disposition, and multiplying the chances for
lraua ana detacaion. Under the plan suggested, the
money IN their hands would constitute general fund
to all naval purposes and the whole sum
onH.h'iaNy entrusted 10 them need not be SO large
whether the systcm.be changed not, tIs nterpo-
st'on Oh Congress is absolutely necessary. Without
1t, That which is confused, mus, become worse
coHio'ihded Ii they Will but give the means of
paying up arrearages. and not compel draw upon
the appropriations of 1850 pay debts accruire in all
preceding years, we can do much ourselves towards
present embarrassment. Without that, we can do
nothing; unless, indeed, we cease to nav all such ac
counts and refer them to Congress- which would be
great injustice to the creditors of the public.
My solctudc on This bject is great None appears
TO me more to need deserve the consideration of
congress. a system OF pay and emoumcu,s, and
reform IN the mode of keeping the accounts would
place it ON high ground want no discretion. I
WISH 10 be able TO turn tn law or lawful rcpua.
uon Tor every allowance am called on to make
Wsh 10 make every transaction OF this Office so plain
tnat every member OF Congress, ard any man of com
mon capacity in the country, understand it, There
are no mysteries IN good government. To manage
als OF tne American people, it is not necessary
70 deceive and blind them. Honesty in official duties
and truth in disclosing all that DONE will riyet The
government III the affections of the peopIe and maxi
our Union as firm as our mountains.
FROM my want of experience, do not aatter nv.
self that any great value ough, to be attached TO my
If they shall lead to investigations
which shall give efficiency to the Nayy and rsce tb
of its affairs basis of the Consti
Ht'o, snail DC more than compensated for tie lrou.
bic Ut making them.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
AMOS KENDALL.
John Branch Esq. Secretary of the Navy.
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