The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-21

the people any additional bufhsn either Of loans o.
increased fares a.tts Nafh
Now, sir, are we not here told by the Presi-
dent, in very plain terms, 10 keep our appropria-
tons within the "estimatesn OF the Secretary
of the Treasury? Are we not in that paragraph
warned that, II we do not keep the approprla-
tons within the estimates" that there will be
danger Of imposing on the people additional
burthens, either of loans or Increased fd.res
Could the expression of an opinion that the APP
preparations should be kept within the estimates
be conveyed in stronger language than is done
by the President, or could the danger with
which we are threatened in the event Of our
failure or refusal be greater than that of impo-
sing upon the people additional burthens, either
OF loans or additional taxes? Now, be II re-
membered, that among those estimates" within
there is no mention made of the Cumberland
road. If, then, Congress does "keep the appro-
priations within the estimates" and in those
estimates" the Cumberland road is not in
cluded il must follow as light follows the sun,
that no appropriation will be made for that
work. How, then, sir, stands the Argument
The Secretary Of the Treasury, in the "esti-
matesn submitted to this House, does not in
clude the Cumberland road; the President tells
US TO keep the appropriations within these esti-
mates; !" does not this amount TO an expression
Of an opinion on the part of the President, that
an appropriation ought not TO be made for the
Cumberland road? But more, sir, as if TO en-
force his opinion and to hold the people in ter
ror over our heads he warns us that il we do
exceed the estimates" and make an appropri-
alton for the Cumberland road that there will
be danger of imposing upon the people an adj
ditional burthen Of ''loans or increased taxes"
! can place upon his message no other construc
ton, and call upon my colleague to answer
this argument and show TO his constituents
whether the above extract from the Presidents
message, in connection with the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury, does not clearly
prove that Mr. Van Buren, is opposed to an APP
preparation to the Cumberland road But, sir,
il may be said that Mr.. Van Buren,, when he
wrote the message, might not have known
whether the Cumberland road was or not in
| cluded in the Estimates" of the Secretary Of
the Treasury. Such conjecture would not be
probable, but if there should be any doubt, it
will be removed by referring to another portion
OF the Presidents message. On page 9th, after
/ speaking of the necessity of economy and that
with Congress rested the ''duty and power of so
adjusting the public expenditure as to promote
this end he says, .that his duty had been
considered fulfilled by requesting such appro-
priations only as the public service may be rea-
sonably expected 10 require" The only man
ner in which he has requested appropriations,
has been by the estimates submitted by the
Secretary Of the Treasury. have shown that
those estimates" do not include the Cumber-
land road he has requested no appropriation to
the Cumberland road, and Idefy my colleague to
show such request; therefore, itfollows, that in
his opinion the public service did not require an
appropriation to that work. Can any other fair
construction be placed upon the Presidents own
wordsl
But again, on the same page after speaking
OF the reduction Of the expenses Of the Govern
ment, he says:
g With determination far as depends upon me
to continue this reduction hare directed the csfi-
for 1910 to be subjected TO the scrutiny
and to be limited to the absolute wants of the public
| service"
| Now, sir, be il remembered, that here IS an
| acknowledgment that the estimates for 1910
were made under his direction and the Cum
berland road not being included in those esti-
mates" proves that, in the opinion of the Pre-
sident, an appropriation to that work was not
among the "dbsoiune requirements of the pub
lie service" might multiply quotations and
arguments; but submit TO any candid mind
whether have not proved enough to show that
the President is opposed to the Cumberland
road.
The force Of this argument seemed to press
upon the mind of my colleague with all its force ;
and therefore, he thought il necessary to look
around for an excuse for the conduct Of the Pre-
/
an argument apology. And what is that
apology? My colleague says that the President
did not recommend the road, and direct est
mates to be made at this session, because the
last Congress refused or failed to pass bill for
the Cumberland road and therefore no esti-
mates" have been submitted at this session.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, although am satisfied
that this apology is merely pretended, still feel
disposed to examine how much weight it is en-
titled to. have looked into the votes on the
Cumberland road at the last session of Con-
gress, and | have now the ayes and nays before
me to read, if any member desires il. The first
vote taken at the last session upon that question
will be found on the 365th page of the House
Journal taken on the motion of Mr.. Coles, of
i Virginia, to lay upon the table the bill which
had passed the Senate, making an appropriation
for the Cumberland road Upon this VOTE sir,
only twenty Of the friends Of Mr.. Van Buren,
are recorded in the negative; and very large
majority OF the Van Buren, party voted in favor
of the motion to lay upon the table, and very
large majority of the Wing party voting in the
negative. The next and last vote was taken on
the motion of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Rariden that the House should go into Com
mittee Of the Whole on the Cumberland road
bill, page 7l5 This motion was made on the
second of March, the day before the session
closed. Ii failed, and in consequence of this
refusal of the House to go into Committee of
the Whole on the bill, Congress adjourned
without making any appropriation. Upon this
vote only eight Van Buren, men are recorded
in the affirmative. The Wing party almost
en- masse voting in favor of the motion.
Now, my colleague says, that in consequence
of the failure of the last Congress to make an
appropriation, that the President declines sub
hitting estimates" at this session. His argu-
ment, sir, amounts TO this, that because the Van
Burpn marty of the last CONGRESS defeated the
Cumberland road, therefore Mr.. Van Buren, has
failed to recommend il 10 the favorable cnnside-