The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-29

leading TO those States He did no, know of anv an
preparation Of ths fund for roads leading 10 Alaba.
ma or Mississippi, and he was inclined 10 believe
that such had not been made, and Ii there had been
none such, then the compact was sill in full force
| ~ mere had been no such appropriation, and no
equivalent (and Mr. G. was disposed 10 believe there
nad hotl then he for one was willing al the proper
ue % concur 10 The passage Of an act TO carry The
opaet INTO elect, that was, for roads leading 10
nose States Whether they should be made In those
STATES was anoiner question, for undoubtedly the
grant required the interest Of other States lin the
vicinity 10 be taken care Of
But Mr.. G. had risen TO say he would vote for no
Dill which made an appropriation In the manner pro-
posed In This bill that II might be paid when there
was surplus In the Treasury, not wanted by exist
ing appropriations. The effect would be very bad
In precedent and II would tempt The President 10
create surplus IL he should be disposed to do SO.
We also knew, by the reports, that there was sur
Plus al The end OF every year. 10 large amount ap-
pfoprialed by Congress, but remaining unexpended.
ana Inc Executive had not only assumed the prero-
gaiye to say whether appropriations should be ex.
pended or not, but he claimed for himself the power
to suspend appropriations altogether. The Secre-
tary OF the Treasury had declared that he had sus-
should have an opportunity To review their opinions
and see whether the appropriations had not been
wrongly made. Mr.. G. would, therefore, not vote
Tor bill involving such discretion, but IL 1t were
framed IN The usual manner, he would give 1t his
Mr.. KING said he was glad to hear the Senator
from Kentucky declare that he was ready to carry
en- this compact in good faith; and Mr. X, argued
iurther that no appropriation duplicating this fund
in the case Of Alabama and Mississippi, had ever
been made, though Mr.. X. had from year TO year,
in vain applied for il. He also urged the great i'm
portance especially In conveying soldiers from the
interior for coast defence) Of road from the Ten
nessee to Mobile bay as likeyto prevent far great
er expenditure by the United States.
Mr.. CALHOUN concurred in the opinion that
the fund was Justly due, and he thought i would be
hoffAr In al 49, I'll.
States 10 undertake the construction OF roads. Il
would save the United States great expense, was
FULLY proved by the case of the Cumberland road.
Besides, railroads by private companies were rapid
~ increasing, and were found to furnish great fac-
| tiles.
MIR. c. would therefore vote for this BILL though
he had come here with a determination to vote for
nothing not absolutely necessary, in which determi-
nation he had been only confirmed, for he now
Thought that there would be great difficulty In getting
through the finances Of the year Still he would
vote in favor OF this bill
Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, again admitted the con-
sderations in favor Of the bill but he insisted that it
was not proper leave much TO the discretion Of
| the Executive. He therefore moved to reconsider
the vote on MrkNiles's amendment, providing that
the act should be executed when there should be a
surplus.
That vote vas accordingly reconsidered, and Mr..
Niles's ame9dment was then rejected
The question now recurring on the amendment of
MT Clay, Of Alabama, providing that the money
should De paid on the LIST Of January, 1870
Mr.. CLAY, Of Kentucky, expressed his wish
that the bishould be passed 10 the original and usual
form, the money to be paid "out Of any money in
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated
Mr.. CLAY, OF Alabama, thought the rejection
OF his amendment would hazard the loss Of the bil
risk which he hoped would not be incurred.
Mr.. Gays (of Ala.) amendment, that the money
should be paid on the LIST Of January, I840 was then
agreed to- and the BILL so amended was ordered to
be engrossed fora third reading
The bill TO male an additional Land District in
Illinois, and for other purposes, ordered TO be
engrossed.
Also, the bill to change the location Of the Office
OF Surveyor-General of the District composed Of
the States Of Ohio Indiana, and Michigan, and for
other purposes.
Also, the bill authorizing the President of the
United States 10 cause the reserved lead mines in
Illinois and the Territories Of Wisconsin and Iowa
to be sold as other public lands.
The following bills were read third time, and
passed
The bill for the relief of the owners of the brig
Despatch.
The bill to reward the captors of the privateer
Lydia.
The bill for the relief of the sureties of VIM
Manning
The bill to refund to the Philadelphia and Balti-
more Raroaa GS%PaSg carain "es "a'd h h'
The Senate held short executive session, and
then adjourned.