The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-23
The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill.

This is the most general appropriation bill which has
to pass the Congress of the United States 1t compre-
bends the pay of the members of Congress, the sala-
res of the President and all the members of the Execu
tve the salaries of the Judges the compensation of
diplomatic agents. &c. &c. 1t is, of course, of the
most important acts which can be passed and if it
rejected, it would stop, as Mr.. Gaatin expressed
himself the wheels OF government" Its necessity, in
deed is SO apparent that but the strongest party
spirit could risk its passage. What must think,
then, of the wing movements OF the three last days IN
the House of Representatives
The Committee of Ways and Means had reported the
bill with clause in it, providing appropriation Of
$50 900 for the Improvement of the Savannah river. In
the first place, seems directly contrary to the spirit Of
the soth rule which provides that mo appropriation
shall be reported such general Appropriation b or
be in order as amendment thereto for any expenditure
not previously authorized by law, [September 18th, 1887
unless in continuation of appropriations for such public
works and objects already in progress, and for the
contingencies for carrying the several departments OF
the governmental March 18th, 1881
After this clause had been reported to the House, in d.
rect violation of the spirit of this rule, and of the prece
dents which interpret the rule, efforts were made to
strike it out This motion prevailed in Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union and when it into
the House the amendment was originally carried ap
peared on the vote. and the bill was then ordered TO
its engrossmen, This took place on Tuesday; but on
Wednesday Mr. Stephens, of Georgia. rose to correct the
Journal and stated that the previous day his vote had
been counted in favor of the amendment OF the Commit
tee of the Whole and that he had voted the othe way
This correction being made, the vote on the amendment
from sc ayes and SO noes changed TO IS ayes ant
81 noes The Speaker then claimed the right to give MS
own vote which was resisted but he succeeded in thu
attemp and his vote against the amendment made it
tic in consequence of which, the amendment made II
Committee of the Whole lost, and the clause abou
tho Savannah river retained in the bill The clause being
thus reinsated in the BILL the question was on passing
the BILL when it was rejected, by majority OF -
Mr. Cobb then moved reconsideration of the vote, TO
the avowed purpose of moving its recommment TO I'M
committee in order strike out the objectionable clause
On this motion long and animated debate has takeI
place.
The sOth rule which have quoted, Is recommended
bv the strongest considerations 1t IS to prevent waste
fu epsaton-to prevent the encumberng OF the genera
bills with objects not previously authonze'
h lawto prevent Congress from playing upon the ne
,ass;,;o If the government and converting them int
an engine with which to squander the puoic moneys II
all species of works, and to embarrass the course Oh
conscientious administration. Once coun'enance 'h
course, and where is the stopping pont' why moi IN
,rouce the Improvement Of every river into the DILL
well as the Savannah river' Why not force down IN
throat, of a minority, and of the Executive the mos
eytravagan and general system of internal improve
ments-canas without limit-roads OF all SORTS wi'hou
end
Besides where the necessity OF forcing tins improve
mcnt in this way II is improperly introduced INTO ID
present appropriation bill There are already TWO o'he
hlIs-one in the House. and the other from the Sen