The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-15


for themselves public crsdto are under
great obligations to the honorable Mr. Morse, Of the
House OF Representatives. for his manly and efficient
speech on last Friday, the abuses practised by
certain members OF Congress in their action on private
claims These abuses. 80 subversive of justice 10 the
community, are equally burdensome the treasury; for
while the sefconsttued guardians Of the public purse
are pumng and blowing on the floor with professed
enos 70 protect IT, they useless expenditures by
loss OF time. Of sums which would pay the larger
Der OF the claims which they trample Not only is
the treasury actually injured by this injustice. but the
honor OF the government is stained Not only is there
loss BY the proacted sessions OF Congress caused by
these maneuvres. but. Mr.. Morse shows contracts
with government fixed at higher prices. because of
the uncertainty OF justice being rendered to the hard
working laborer. These are crying abuses.
The appreciation expressed then and since by the
bers generally Of Mr. Morses views, gives ground for
hope that the House will take these matters in hand here
after with more decision and Illustrate the manGuvres
heretofore 30 successfully practsed such occasions,
to defeat the ends OF justice. JUSTICE.
Mr. MORSE said that he did not intend to occupy any
OF the time OF the committee in discussing these items OF
appropriaons but he must be allowed to protest against
that floor, especially by the honorable gentleman from
-, lMr. - who seemed to think that every
dollar that was paid out of the treasury taken out OF
duced, whether to pay debt already contracted
BY government or not He could not understand that
species Of logic or OF conscience which enabled gentle
men to declare that when the Senate the House had
passed resolution authorizing the expenditure OF GER
tam sum OF money kaown as the contingent fund, for
purposes necessary and proper they had right to refuse
to appropriate the money, and had right to denounce
the expenditures OF either branch oil Congress- as exrav-
agant and improper II was by such narrow notions Of
economy that tins government was led INTO ten,iod
greater expense It was IN consequence OF the pitful
economy which prompted the refusal pay the honest
debts Of the government until after long years Of app
cation that found impossible obtain the services
Of ndividuals at reasonable charge When men
found that they were deprived of the earnings OF
their, hard labor for years. they would not UNI
without charging for i ten times its value There was
no government earth that could get work done at
cheaper rate than this government and was all owing
OF the army, at the head Of bureau or any officer
enjoying high position in the government contracted
wnh an honest citizen for furnishing the government
be doubtful matter whether, when the accounts come
here, their payment would be disputed and the nd-
vidual kept out OF his money for indefinite length of
Tune. And this was the case, even when no one could
possibly doubt that the expenditure necessary and
proper. When the account be thrown into the
vortex o. CONGRESS i generally found iis way to the
IT. and the poor claimant had to exc out miserable
sence while trying % get justice done him. You require
to look into the authority by which an expenditure is
made. You give discretion to your oicers-the acts
OF those who bear the commissions OF your government
you repuda,e SUCH economy as this was the very worst
al the spigot and out at the bung
In regard to the subject OF claims, he would remark that
there were two sets OF opinions, both equally wrong.
Many OF the democratic members of that House. he was
sorry TO say, made rule to go against every claim,
right or wrong; was sufficient for them to know that
money was to be taken out OF the reasury while gen.
temen on the opposite sldeand he hoped they would
take II as friendly hnttook the opposite course and
went in favor OF every claim, right or wrong And thus
was that the honest clamants-men who had furnish
ca supplies 10 the army and navy-men who had furnish
ed the means Tor carrying the government-were fire.
quently deprived OF their money and ruined by this mis-
cradle economy the part of members OF that body in
regard 10 public expenditures claim against the gov.
eminent was not paid with any regard Justice honesty
or fairness but its payment or non payment depended
solely upon the influence which the individual could
bring 10 bear upon MEMBERS and the ingenuity and skill
with which the claim was brought forward and sustained
he desired TO say in relation to the contingent fund OF
the Senate that was not the business OF the House 10
inquire into the in which had been expended
MI. GERRY said be would like to be informed by the
gentleman II was not the business OF this House 10 in
CURE INTO these EXPENDITURES why they were called on
to vote the appropriations
Mr.. MORSE said he would state to the gentleman the
reason why the House had nothing do with it. By an
act OF Congress- certain Of money was drawn from
me treasury and put into the Golfers OF the Senate the
House, Tor particular purpose. This general act,
ting apart this contingent fund. in conformity with
the constitutional provision, which requires that no
money shall be drawn from the treasury except by
thonty OF an act Of Congress- That having been done.
the House. for which the use Of the money had been set
apart ne contended was the sole party which had the
authority 10 examine into the expenditure Of the money
When sum OF money had been put into the Golfers OF
the Senate or the House, for particular purpose the
grant then was complete and il then entirely within
the control OF that body and under the direction OF its Off
GERS TO be expended The money having been authorized
10 be employed at the discretion OF said body il was the
duty Of every member TO vote for the appropriation.
long as its application had been sanctioned by the body
10 whom il belonged. II incumbent upon this
government TO pay just debts, honestly and fair.
ly-to pay every debt that had been honestly con-
naced by any person acting under the authority OF either
branch OF Congress, without cavi and unnecessary delays
then the credit OF this government would be established
and when there was work 10 be done good workmen
would be willing TO offer themselves and the work could
be obtained at something like IFS value. But as
work done in any department OF the government without
paying hundred times its value And whyi Because
there was want Of good faith the part Of the gov
eminent There were 50 many who were ambitious
OF constituting themselves the constitutional guardians
OF the treasury and OF preventing far possible the
payment OF money, ready TO seize upon every cap,ous
objection, and demand unnecessary evidence OF claim,
inteposing all the bubbles OF special pIeader TO avoid
paying the honest debts OF the government that il had
become altogether too precarious mode OF earning
money TO render any service 10 the government Hence
was that could be found who willing TO con-
tract with the government without STIMULATING for large
price lie would himself be very reluctant contract
with the government, under its present miserable system
OF economy, TO do any work, without charging the gov
eminent hundred times much IL was worth |
because in the event OF the claim being paid after pass
ing the trying ordeal Of Congress. his grandchildren or
greagrandchildren might possibly receive about one
tenth OF the sum stipulated for
He had known claims 10 be unanimously .repor,ed /
upon repeatedly by The committees OF both houses and vet
payment refused. There was one indyidual-known TO
them ALL doubtless, for he had ANNOYED every ember Of