The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-13

dional expense for that purpose, OF the appro
We are now iod however, after making that appopria
ton, that the expedition cannot be carried out without
additional appropriation of SO 400 for the purchase OF
Instruments which we Informed in the first in
| stance were under the control of the department
My objection, sir, is TO the practice OF individuals
coming here with some new project asking for in the
outset appropriation altogether Inadequate TO the OBJ
jec Congress, under sach circumstances, is often in
duced TO make the appropriation because it is small In
comparing the amount asked for with the object proposed
to be accomplished come to the conclusion that such
amouat may be appropriately given to such purpose
But after the appropriation is made, find that this is
but the beginning and we must make additional appropra
time to time, in making appropriations for certain objects
when in all human probability ii the whole expenditure
was presented to Congress a. FIRST would no. think
the object worth the appropriation. R1 ~ ~
Now sir, am very strongly Inclined 80 far - on,
concerned to put end to this course OF proceedings by
abandoning any project that is forced upon in this
manner My ePugnance to counenancing this prsetice
great that very desirous Of setting example
in this case that Others may not endeavor to lead US into
to have it understood hat any plan of this kind, org
mating IN amy department is submitted to Congress Con-
gess not only desires but expects that the estimate mat,
the actual expenditures Under these circumstances,
am not inclined to vote for the amendment
ate to the fact which have stated that great many
of the expenditures, for which make appropriations
with great relucance have been brought upon us in this
manner; and thus Congress has been drawn into Sc
rious appropriation which would have been made
the full extent of the appropriation necessary to be
made had been =, known at the outset
ton of my friend from Vermont as to the manner in
which Congress is led into certain schemes by the sup
position impressed upon them by misstatement, or i'm
proper calculations to the expense which makes the
probable expense OF the scheme lower than it out to
be after the full expense is incurred.
In regard TO this, know that it was stated at the
last session that the five thousand dollars would proba
bly, be sufficient and that there would be need OF pur
chasing instruments, because the instruments owned by
contemplated 1t ought, however to be said ia justice
to the Secretary of the Navy that this scheme
originating with himself | think that the importance OF
this expedition first suggested by philosophical So
ce,y in Philadelphia, and perhaps also by some gentle
men of astronomical information and intelligence in
dferents parts Of the country know that there is
lion to this subject have also copy of communica-
ton from Mr.. Pierce, celebrated mathematician in
Cambridge They all approve of this expedition-they
all unite in testimony in relation to its great Importance
1t will be also recoleced that there considerable
discussion this subject in the House of Represe nta-
lives upon report made by a gentleman OF the Naval
Committee on the propriety OF sending person to the
southern hemisphere for the purpose OF making these OBJ
scrvations. The House and Senate finally determined to
appropriate 900 for the purpose Of enabling Lieutenant
Glliss to observe, suppose the conjunction of Venus
and the opposition of Mars [Laughter.l ~,
think il would be proper to read to the Senate the
letter received from the Secretary of the Navy relative to
this appropriation.
The letter read as follows:
| NAVY DEPARTMENT, Dec %, 1875
SR AT request OF Lieut.. j. M. GiIlss, OF the
have the honor you the enclosed commune
addressed by that officer you He correctly
nenis purchased purpose making observa
ander authority given by the act OF Congress to which
proper that should Soy that when the OF five
thousand dollars submitted by him at the last session
the instruments required could be furnished without adj
donai purchases The wants OF the service have disap
servant j. z. MASON.
| lfn, Or.
| House of Representatives.
Mr. A. (resulnng) said II is now requested sir, that
srumsn,s 10 be used BY the persons engaged in that ex
petition And sir, is highly important that they should
have proper instruments, otherwise the expedition
be of any avail and only SO, but than
thai: if send out scientific men, and the result is
failure it will rebound to the dscredt of the country
which authorized the expedition. There is list among
expense. which is the foundation for this appropriation
As said before this has not received the sanction of the
Committee Finance; but have thought proper to in
troduce to the notice of the Senate under the circum
stances stated
Mr. CLAYTON After the statement which has been
made by the chairman of the Committee on Finance,
convinced that this amendment ought not to be adopt
ed Last year told that IS 900 all that
asked The Secretary of the Navy either knew, be-
ieved then that the appropriation was ample for
pose, and suppose recommended the amount that
surance; and on that same understanding the Senate
voted
Now, sir, am not disposed myself to encourage this
plan, often resorted to, of asking in the first in
stance 10 commit ourselves by insufficient appropra-
on merely for the purpose Of laying the foundation for
an additional appropriation afterwards. l shall vote
against the amt ndment.
! Mr. MILLER. At the last session, sir, we settled the
propriey Of this expedition and made an appropriation
Tor it, If understand the letter from the head of the
department, it anticipated at that time that the in
sruments would be under the command of the Navy
Department. and would cost the government nothng but
is ascertaned that the government required the
OF the instruments in the Navy Department In view
Of that fact this additional appropriation is asked The
expedition for the purpose OF advancing scencet being
considered important expeditionwhelher it shall fail
| for the want OF proper instruments!
Now, SIR, for my part should be sorry to see It fail
for the want OF the proper instruments agee with the
gentleman, that it is highly improper for the department
to come here and ask for appropriations without giving
the proper estimate at the time; but all know thai
in expedition of this kind it is almost impossible
furnish true estimate of the cost This, then, is
cepon the general rule. The Secretary of the Navy
informs that he thought at the time sthe instruments
were under the authority of the department. but now
to furnish similar for the of the expedition.
| MIR. CLAYTON. One of the assigned for
making the appropriation this very one, that had
the instruments, and that small appropriation would be
sufficient Now, sir, the assigned for the appro
pration at the last session entirely fails. We have not
now the instruments We must buy them If we had
known this at the last session. would have made
the appropriation at all.
A SENATOR. What will become OF the S. 900 already
appropriated
Mr.. WALKER This subject strikes me in the same
light with the senator from Delaware The senator from
New Jersey says the pEoprey of the expedition was set
tied at the last session OF Congress. If sir If
without proper information, and must have been Il do
not say Intentionally il not suggestion of falsehood
suppression of truth ! do not charge this upon the