Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-02-25

not question Of money alone. The Presi-
dent asks for more men very lately new
regiments Of volunteers have been called for
aud marched TO that country, where, exclu-
sively Of those who may fall 10 battle, the
climate alone destroys frightful proportion
Of the natives Of the United States who are
subject to the ordinary fatigue aud duties Of
soldier Read with attention the reports
Of the Adjuiant General and the daily ae-
counts Of the losses in special corps aud
you will be satisfied that this loss is not less,
for the first year, than the sacrifice Of one
fourth part OF the men you are coolly asked
to grant to the Administration And for
what purposei
II has already been stated, that as no
money car, according 10 the Constitution,
be drawn from the Treasury but in conse-
quence OF appropriations made by law, the
statement Of the Secretary Of the Treasury
shows only, under the head Of expenditures,
the amount paid by him TO the several De-
partments, which never can exceed the
amount appropriated by law for each service.
The question has often been agiiated, whe,h-
er the disbursing Departments bad The
right, for defraying the expense incident 10
an object authorized by law, TO expend more
than the money appropriated for such OBJ
iects. This is IA question altogether distinct
from That Of specific appropriations, respect
ing which, il had been commended, that
moneys appropriated for one object author
lied by law, might be diverted to another
object likewise authorized by law. In this
case, even IL this construction had been
admitted the total amount expended could
not have exceeded the total amount appro-
printed. But in the case now under con-
sideration, the question is, whether the dis
bursting Departments can expend more than
the total amount Of appropriations. And
as the Treasury never pays them more than
that amount, il is clear that, il more is ex-
pended by any Department, il must fall in
debt for the difference. An application for
deficient appropriations, or arrears. is then
made 10 Congress; and, as the debt has
been incurred, the necessary appropriation
is never refused, il the money has been hon.
estly discussed and accounted for. The ex-
tent TO which the expense incurred may ex-
coed The appropriation, is exhibited in the
following sentence, in the Report Of the
Secretary OF War:
"The department has presented estimates
for considerable deficiencies in some Of the
war appropriations, for the current fiscal
| year. Provision was made in these appro-
| priations, for continuing in service beside
the regular troops. ten thousand volunteers
but it was subsequently deemed important
greatly 10 augment this volunteer force
The excess Of volunteers called out beyond
that number is over fifteen thousand. fo
which no appropriation was made"
Whether the practice be correct not
it is publicly ayowed and il follows tina
Congress must not act under the belief tina
the arinal expense is regulated by III
amount appropriated. IL is positive fac
that whenever il does not authorize any on
object Of expenditure, the practical powe
OF determining the actual expense whicl
shall be incurred will be determined by III
head of the Department, Ii is therefor
absolutely necessary, whenever an addition
al object Of expenditure is recommended
previously to examine critically, and with
+ out much regard to estimates, generally ur
derraied, what the actual expense wi
amount 10.
Yeti trainers ofthe Constitution though
Otherwise. For when il was enacted by III
Constitution, that "the Congress shall hav
power to raise aud support armies; but n
appropriation Of money to that use shall b
for longer term than two years" II wa
clearly intended to prevent the danger {
large standing armies, aud not less clear
implied. the armies could not be supporie
constitutionally, without an appropriation |
that use. The trainers Of the Constitute
, anticipated the danger, and provided Il
, constitutional remedy.
Indeed, in every representative goverl
ment, wherever a certain share Of power
!. enjoyed by the people. il is that over Il
purse which has ever been deemed the mo
important, aud OF itself almost sufficient
:. prevent excessive oppression. To this da
4 in England, in France, and in every 9th
country, in which representative form
a Government has been introduced, il is
!. FAR the most substantial and efficient attri
e ute Of the popular branch Of the Legislator
q II is true that. in England, the pows
a though claimed to lis fulles; extent, is We
d rarely exercised. A milder practice b
ri prevailed. Whenever a truly importa
y question is decided in the House OF Coz
n mons, against the ministry, the King mt
:. either dissolve the Parliament and apps
! to the people, or yield to the will OF I
:. majority Of the house. II was in this W
10 that the obsiinacy Of George iii. was co
h quered, aud an end put to the war wag
by Great Britain against the Independent
n OF the United States. But our electi
n monarch, for the very reason that he
i. elected by the People, is, during his br
bi term Of office, more powerful than the Bl
m ish King. and would not probably be Diet
\ red from his course, by mere declaratc
n resolution, such as was that moved by q
of Conway, in the House Of Commons.
.al has indeed, by his own act, and With
i, having consulted Congress, placed
10 country in state Of war. This hayi
q. been effected. neither Of the two Houses
Congress, nor both together. are yes
ia. with any Constitutional power OF comp
inv ing him TO make a peace, or even TO Of
M. negotiations for that purpose. There is
he other efficienl Constitutional power
IN. which he can be checked, but tina, Of W
,e. holding supplies to the extent necessary
he eifecling the intended purpose
sh' 81 Advces from Matanzas up to the 1871