State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-09


nothing forgotten, and nothing Sighted.
And now, sir, l would proceed imme-
diatey to give the history of the Fortifca-
ton bill, If it were not necessary, as intro
ductory to that history, and as showing the
circumstances under which the Senate
was called on to transact the public bust
ness, first to refer TO another bill which
was before us, and to the proceedings
which were had upon it.
1t is well known, sir, that the annual
appropriation bills always originate in the
House of Representatives. This is so
much the course, that no one ever looks
to see such bill first brought forward in
the Senate. 1t is also well known, sir,
that it has been usual, heretofore, TO make
the annual appropriations for the Military
Academy at West point in the general bill,
which provides for the pay and support
of the army. But last year, the army bill
did not contain any appropriation whatever
for the support of West Point took no.
tice of this singular omission when the bill
was before the Senate, but presumed, and
indeed understood, that the House would
send us a separate bill for the Military
Academy. The army bill, therefore, pass
ed; but no bill for the Academy at West
Point appeared. We waited for it from day
to day, and from week to week, but waited
in vain. At length, the time for sending
bills from one House to the other, accord
ing to the joint rules of the two Houses,
expired and no bill had made Its appear
ance for the support of the Military Acad-
envy. These joint rules, as is well known,
are sometimes suspended on the appica-
ton of one House to the other, in favor of
particular bills whose progress has been
Unexpectedly delayed, but which the public
interest requires to be passed. But the
House of Representatives sent us no re-
quest to suspend the rules in favor of a
bill for the support of the Military Acade-
my, nor made any other proposition to
save the Institution from immediate dis
solution. Notwithstanding all the talk
about a war, and the necessity of vote
for the three millions, the Military Acade-
my, an institution cherished so long, and at
so much expense, was on the very point OF
being entirely broken up.
Now it so happened, sir, that at this time
there was another appropriation bill which
had com from the House of Representa-
tives, and was before the Committee on
Finance here. This bill was entitled can
act making appropriations for the civil and
diplomatic expenses of the Government fol
the year 1895"
In this state of things, several members
of the House of Representatives applied
to the committee, and besought us to save
the Academy by annexing the necessary
appropriations for its support to the bill fol
civil and diplomatic service. We spoke tC
them, in reply, of the untitness, the irregu
larity, the incongruity, of this forced uniol
of such dissimilar subjects; but they tolt
us it was a case of absolute necessity, anC
that, without resorting to this mode, this
appropriation could not get through W.
acquesced,, sir, in these suggestions. W.
went out of our way. We agreed to do al
extraordinary and an irregular thing, il
order to save the public business from mis-
carriage. BY direction of the committee
| moved the Senate to add an appropria
ton for the Military Academy to the bill
for defraying civil and diplomatic expenses
The bill was so amended; and in this form
the appropriation was finally made.
But this was not all. This bill for the civi
ami diplomatic service being thus amended
by lacking the Military Academy upon i
was sent back by us to the House of Rer
, resentatives, where its length of tail wa
l.
House had before it several subjects fo
provision, and for appropriation, upo
which it had not passed any bill, befor
the time for passing bills TO be sent to tn
Senate had elapsed. 1t was anxious tn;
these things should, in some way, be pre-
4 vided for; and when the diplomatic hi
, came back, drawing the Military Academ
I after it, it was thought prudent 10 attach I
Z it various Of these other provisions. Their
were propositions to pave streets in I'll
r city of Washington, TO repair the Capito
and various othes things, which it was nj
e cessary to provide for; and they, therefor
were put into the same bill by way
I amendment TO an amendment; that is
; say, MIR President, we had been prevaile
on to amend their bill for defiaying ii
salary of orr ministers abroad, by addir
I an appropriation for the Military Academ
f and they proposed to amend this ouramenC
T. ment, by adding to it matter as german
+ it, as it was to the original bill. There WI
Y also the Presidents gardener. His salal
4 was unprovided for; and there was no wa
of remedying this important omission, b.
}, by giving him place in the diplomatic SC
G vice bill, among charges d. affaires, envo,
Y extraordinary, ministers plenipotentiar
e In and among these ranks, therefore,
Il was formally introduced by the amendme
C of the House, and there he now stand
G as you will readily see by turning to Il
o law.
IS Sir, have not the pleasure 10 kno
/ this useful person; but should ! see hil
n some morning overlooking the workm,
S, in the lawns, walks, copses, and parterr
n which adorn the grounds around the Pre-
II dents residence, considering the compal
is into which we have introduced him,
is should expect to see, at least, a small dipl
G, matte button on his working jacket.