The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
SATURDAY JANUARY 16, 1871.
MIR. Profit asked leave to introduce a reso-
luton:
Whereas the Secretary of the Treasury, in his
letter of the 7th Of December, 1910, transmitting
his annual report of the state of the finances, al
so an estimnte OF appropriations for the year
1871, makes use of the following lar suage:
ssIt has already been shown that the whole a
mount of receipts in 1S4l will probably be SUM-
cient to discharge all ordinary expenditures, and
those parts of the outstanding debt, funded OF
unfunded, which may become due. But the
preservation of a suitable balance in the Treasu-
nv may require more than what will probably be
left alter satisfying other purposes. The rails
ing Of any sum for that object in 1S4l could,
however, be obviated by authorizing a contract
to be made, under proper restrictions, extending
the period of payment for portion of the tenn
poTary liabilities falling due in that year. Yet,
IN the opinion of the undersigned, the best mode
of providing for this case would be, without ei-
tber an extension Of this kind, or a loan, or
further issue of Treasury notes or change in the
tariff; but merely by lessening the appropriations
for the service ofIS4I below the estimotes, or
by passing such declaratory clauses as to the
present tariff, and such acts as to the public
lands, as have heretofore been urged on the con-
slderation OF Congress
And whereas the said Secretary of the Trea-
surv, notwithstanding the above declaration re-
speeding Treasury notes, did, on the 18th day
of January, in a communication laid before this
House, ask to be empowered to issue S.
600 900 more of Treasury notes:
and whereas the declaration is made by the
Secretary that ''the best mode of providing for
this case" would be sincerely By teSseniHg the
apDropyidiions for the service of l94I BELOW the
sstimates;" therefore
ResoIued, That the Secretary of the Treasu-
nv be directed to inform this House what par
ticular items of the estimates for 1S41, accom-
panyng his letter, can, in his opinion, be dis
pensed with, and why said estimates, if not cal
led for BY the eXisencies of the public service.
have by him been laid before this House as re.
quiring corresponding appropriations.
Mr.. PROFIT said that he offered the resou-
ton because he would be called upon on next
Monday to vote upon the bill authorizing an
additional issue of five millions of Treasury
notes; and he would not ask the yeas and NAYS,
neither would he In any other way occupy the
time of the House. His bad health would of
itself prevent him from speaking at any langth.
But the Secretary of the Treasury had deIibe
rately stated that the issue of Treasury notes
was nots'the best mode" of meeting the fde6cit
in the Treasury. He had stated that there was
a better mode and had told Hs it is to "reduce
the appropriation for I84I below the estimates. -
The Secretary himself had placed those esti-
mates before US, and asked for corresponding
appropriations. re (Mr. P) called upon the
Secretary by this resolution to point out what
particular items of tie estimates can be dis
pensed with; and surely the supporters of the
Administration, the friends of the Secretary.
those who advocate this issue of Treasury
notes,will not refuse to consider the resolution
and call for the Information.
The SecretsrY had also stated that there was
sill another model of avoiding deficit in the
Treasury, which was, to postpone the payment
of temporary abilities fer lS4l." MIR. P.
said that he would not Geny that this PROPOSE
ton. though the very quintessence ofabsurdi-
ty, was nevertheless true! If the Government
portpones the payment of its debts, it certain
ly can de Without much money. 1t is a self-ev
dent proposition.
Mr. P. said he had quoted in his resolution
y -battm the language of the Secretary, and he
was determined to hold him to his own decla-
rations and assertions. If they were false,
let the Secretary bear the odium. But, for
himself. he would net be thus constantly i'm
posed upon by contradictory statements. One
moment we are told that there will be balance
Of upwa es ola million in the Treasury on the
termination of the year 1910.
Next daywc are told that there is defcien-
ey which requires immediate relief TO the a.
amount of f5,000,0c0. In one report we are
told that the issue of Treasury notes is not the
best mode; next day we are urged to issue them
as the best mode. One day we have estimates
placed before US, and are told that they require
corresponding appropriations; then again we
are told that those estimates are too large, and
ought to be reduced. Let the Secretary ex-
plain these contradictions by answering the
resolution now upon the table.
MI. CAVE JsHNsoE objected, and gave no.
tee that he should object to all resolution,
and other matters out of the regular order of
business.
Mr.. PRoFFIT moved a suspension of the rule
to enable him to introduce s resolutions.
Tie question to suspend was rut and mega
tiVed.