Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-27
SPEECH OF WINTHROP, OF MASSACHUSETTS

House. OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRuAnr %.
The Army Bill being under consideration in Committee
the Whole
Mr. WINTHROP having offered the provsoes contained in
Tuesdays paper, said There few things, Mr. Chairman
moro trying the temper who for oder
regard for appropriateness thanthe proceedings
in this House. IL saying Of Solomon word spoken
IN due season, how good it !" Another Of his proverbs
compared such word to "appes Of gold pictures silver
But would have puzzled Solomon himself realize
his ideas in such body this There to be
such thing saying seasonabe word in this House. No
say the thing he wishes TO say, the time he wishes
to say it. One be always out of season, either for himself
for the House, for the subject perhaps for all at
My own experience upon this point does not differ mate
ray am suc, from that of those around me- few weeks
ago desired TO say something about the loan BILL What
happened II was whipped through the House at the rate OF
half million One hour OF discussion allowed
for bill of twenty eight millions of dollars Nothing
manned for all of us but silent
Next the three million bill. desired to say word
about that But after struggling for the floor for three
days. was compelled TO content myself with unexplained
vote upon that bill also.
Last week had proposed TO make few remarks upon the
army BILL which, understood, form the subject
Of debate Friday and Saturday Other business ntervened
and no army bill was brought forward.
This morning into the House prepared upon
the discussion Of the tariff bill, which the chairman Of
the Committee Of Ways and Means had given formal notice
would be taken up to-day. But the tariff bill is
passed over, and 10 the army bill is before
Well sir will not complain. ought to be too grateful,
perhaps, for getting the floor at ALL amidst such crowd OF
competitors, to indulge in any fault finding the occasion
AT any rate, will seize the moment it flies revert
well can, my last weeks preparations and proceed
without further preface TO the consideration Of the bill which
has Just been read.
As of the members Of the committee by which this bill
has been framed feel bound call the attention OF the
House and OF the country to its peculiar and extraordinary
character Undoubtedly sir, is the great bill Of the
sion 1t appropriaes of money little short of thirty
millions OF dollars 10 the military Of the Government
The amendments which will be moved under the authority Of
the Committee Of Ways and Means, will probably swell the
amount considerably beyond that 1t has been prepared
in conformity with estimates from the Departments looking
to the most vigorous prosecution of the existing war More
than fourteen millions Of dollars appropriated trans
poration and supplies in the Quartermasers Department
item having UNREASONABLE reference further and still
further invasion Of the Territories of Mexico Finally sir
this blruns through period Of sixteen months from this 22d
day OF February and provides for supporting prosecuting
this war to the 3olh day of June, 1s4s
Mr. Chairman the CONGRESS of the United States TO day
has control the Executive in relation to this war;
To day, discussion in regard its ends and Objects its con-
duct and its conclusion something than empty breath
To-day, the Representatives Of the People have the
their hands. But pass this bill pass without proviso
limitation, and the Presidents out of our reach
We have given him a carte blanche We have given him
charter wide the wind We have surrendered the purse
to the hands which already hold the sword and
virtually said to him, "March on, slay burn sack plumber
at your sovereign will and pleasure So far as thirty
millions Of dollars for the land forces alone Ito say nothing
ten twelve millions for the navy) will serve your turn
you have unlimited discretion to invsde and conquer for
teen months TO come :"
This, SIT, is the language Of this BILL stands Is il
republican language Is il democratic language Is it
stituional language
Are you aware, Mr. Chairman, is this House aware, that
the Parliament of Great Britain, omnpotent as il is often
called have vcnured Of late years pass such bill
this The British Parliament in all the pentude OF its
power could pass this BILL without violating one of the
principles Of the constitution of the realm That principle,
IL n. g..
long series Of years. that appropriations for the support Of
standing armies should not be made for longer than
single year
Our own constitution explicit upon the subject Con-
gress shall have power, says "to raise and support
miles, but appropriation Of money to that shall be for
longer than two years. This bill keeps carefully within