Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-23
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
NArlS, lS4S.


On motion OF M5EI.LMORE,
The House resolved itsef INTO COMMITTEE ~ n
W lo'e on the state Of the Uaioa, (Ns ClS,-d, @
Maine, IN the ehair.l anc resun'ea The consideration
ofihe bi'l making appropriations for ise naval So
wee for the year lSf2-ihe question being on ne
amendment 0! Mr. Msg!wethe!, 20 reduce tie Epp.o
pf',on.
No SPRIGG was entitled 70 the aoo5 and address
a 'te committee az some Ie~-ih.
Ms called the attention Q: the committee 20 the
Gc' char in addi'on 20 the outstanding balance a
appropriation on the first Of January last i-r ID S
purpose. d was nov proposed 10 appropriate more
iuo76y Tor tie navy than ever had before been ap-
pror;i'iej 10 any one year
Alr :. ndverted, IN conclusion, 10 the source from
which was 10 be derived the necessary revenue TO
NEE, the appropriation and the doubts which exist
a 20 the amount that cou &c raised. That con-
slerauon alone, Il none other presented itsef would
proven; him from voting 10 TX upon the Govern
mont so great charge for one single branch of the
public service. An improper game, he thought, had
been played at this session. The Committee Of
Ways and Means had been constituted for the pur-
pose OF devsirs ways and means to meet the wants
Of tho Government; but that duty had been thrown
Oh heir shoulders and thrust on 10 the Committee
m Nanut 'otures, which committee had proposed 10
levy rate n duties so high TO accomplish the pro
lection Of their own manufactures. Yet the chair
man OF the Committee OF Ways and Means (Nr
Fi'mo.e) had manifested great impa,enre on this
Ll. Every one could see this morning how keen
which the principal city of mis- own State was 10
derive so much advantage in reference TO the great
scheme that was proposed. lie (Mr 81 referred TO
these things rs motives that would influence him in
his vote As the gentleman had furnished no
m'ans, as he had reported no revenue bill as he had
entirely changed the character of his committee
making It no longer Committee Of Ways and
Means, but (ns he, Mr. s might term it) committee
Of wasting means, he thought the gentleman should
10, manifest so great haste and hurry getting this
b. through.
On the subject Of protective tariff, he mir 81
knew that there were various views entertained IN
chs hall He should not commit himself either way;
and even II he Ia favor OF the generous system
appropriations asked, he would still wait un-
vi lac that there was some certainty that we
should have the means TO meet them. Ii the appro
uriauons were voted now, Congress would be com.
mted. They would then become debt which the
nation owed, and which the nation would be bound
10 redeem. He insisted, therefore, that the amend
ment OF the gentleman from Georgia should be
agreed TO. The House would then, at least, have
acquitted itself well before the country this par
ucuar subject, by not going beyond the appropsia.
Ions OF last year. To that extent he was willing TO
%, ard no further. There would be no telling
where the expenditures would stop, If we were 10
commence running in debt at the rate Involved 10
4 hsse appropriations.
Mr. MASON, Of Ohio, obtained he floor, and ad.
dre sed the committee at some length.
Mr. GWlN, Of Mississippi, then addressed the
committee.
Mr. EVERETT read the following statement
thowing the increase of officers Of the navy OF the
different grades, and seamen, from January lst
lSil, to January LIST, 1912: