The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-15


the specific appropriation which shall drive the Secretary
OF the Treasury into reforms he would be unwilling TO
every other officer and hold him Responsible, limiting the
expenditures TO certain number Of dollars
On these grounds, and aciuaed by no particular refer
this or any other Office. shall give my vote So far
am politically opposed To any administration shall not
upon such narrow measures attempt 70 shwan MS of
GERS am willing do for this admlnistI alton much
as though politically conceded with them, under
stand this 10 be the policy advocated by the last admins
aton, and introduced by the Secretary OF The Treasury
OF the last administration, which comes down 10 us
through the last Congress. where political opponents
held The majority In the House OF Representatives and
the same policy applied to every other department and
Mi, WEBSTER Il is evident, Mr. President, that
there IS general disposition in the Senate. probably in
pendilures Il subject good deal discussed al the
last session OF Congress
i is evidently complex and in some respects dai-
appropriation by law; because, although il has been
justly remarked BY the honorable senator who has now
rs dasS S.ss q n Ss THAI Is
time to time, 10 report to Congress reforms that ought 10
take place, yet that duty OF making the report has hitherto
ppee e IL III conss have me s Of
experience and knowledge, and not that the Sec.
rotary Of the Treasury should have the exercise Of their
Legislative power. 1t is evident, think that by the pro-
visions Of this 4th secoa Of the law that was passed Oh
the Sd OF March last. it intended that Congress- al
the commencement OF this session. should have op
portuny to restore that provision, and instead OF IT, il il
fit, 10 make proper specific appropriations Circum
stances with which we all acquainted caused de-
lay for the first four five weeks Of this of Con-
upon this upon any other subject that the time
arrived Tor the execution OF that power and trust conded
in the Secretary Of the Treasury before Congress had any
opportunity to consider the subject al all.
Now sir, considering that there may be great variety
Of opinions in regard to the topics which embraced
in the Secretays crculan regard 10 the expedency Of
m rnf IN hxsIo in
parin regard TO the expedency OF maintaining the
housing system in whole or in partas do not think
diately be had for the Of Congress. very much
inclined to think myself that il is expedien TO adopt the
amendment proposed by the honorable senator from New
York, [Mr DfcKIssos.] which is, as | understand il
that the present system, or what has been the pres
system. shall be continued until specific appropria-
lions are made BY Congress, with the limitation that the
think, upon the whole, that il il wise amendment
and shall most cheenully support i:
Mr.. DICKINSON. concur with the senator from
Massachusetts. IMr WEBSTER that we have not suf
Gent information discuss the proper estimate
be made The letter OF the Secretary OF the Treasury
making these e. ,a i not st upon our tables
doubleday made out at the proper time, but are
delayed, owing to the fault Of Congress in its ar
70. ns lng q suso matter sat haze
other House, and will state two facts contained
in it The Secretas estimates for the collection OF the
go beyond the amendment which | propose.
That amendment goes beyond what / as at present ad-
vsed, believe will be necessary when make
the appropriations II is middle ground. between the
estimates of The Secretary and the amount allowed by
this present law and the amount which | am satisfied
will do when TO make appropriations II is not
what the Secretary would desire, am satisfied but be-
say also, that satisfied that successfully
prosecute reform in these matters, excepting by coercve
Legislation. Without such legislation, am convinced
that will be able 10 accomplish it in the execu
tive departments of the government
The Secretary OF the Treasury has taken the estimates Of
last year. and upon that basis has made out the estimates
additional collection DISTRICTS and that of these dis
trcts expensive and is also that this system,
lion bss from N sno6e snd h.aSed DAWN - r.
successor IL is undoubtedly true that the revenue
system cannot be curailed much at this season OF
the year, from the fact that relies upon
the assistance furnished by the cutters this season
OF the year. would not therefore, ask for that rs-
duction shall ultimately, wish. Il !. was June. in,
stead OF January, | would not move the amendment
have proposed am willing to give time to those inter.
ests which should take care OF themselves, 10 make
preparations to take care OF themselves But there are
head systemas II 10 significantly calledin the de-
partments, where immense saving might be made
housing system must cost 80 much, then let go at
once for free system let competition regulate the matter
and let cost nothing There viii be large saving
for the present Il has not been sufficiently examined BY
myself by the Senate will say, bow ever. that these
reforms can be made. cutting down very largely the ex
dIuenumenti
have proposed to be exceedingly liberal, and very
much gated that the senator the other side, with
much experience, favors il.
MIR. CALHOUN. One OF the members OF the Commit.
tee Finance has furnished with statement OF the
from imports and the cost OF collection for the
years 1871 and 1919, which hold in my hand and which
will stale The OF the former year amounted
in round numbers TO 900, and the expense OF col
lection to 1898 900; that of the latter to S3l and
the expense OF collection 10 81, 100000.
This statement, OF itself, is sufficient prove that
there Is something wrong. The ,ense has nceased
more than 200 per cent during the interval between the
two periods. / admit that portion OF this increase may
be attributed TO the increased number OF ports OF col
ltcilon and other causes but whatever increase
may be attributed to them ia increasing the rate per
lum OF collection Is than made up by the increased
amount collected in 1919, compared TO 1871 II is
than double; and all know large revenue all other cir
cumsances being equal, be collected for less rate
per cenium than small. Taking every circumstance
into considerations the rate per centun ought instead
being greater to be less in consequence oil the increased
amount collected II ought not exceed 81, 500 900,
and might be reduced 10 Si20o,0oo with cool manage.
meat and proper economy
| ought TO know something oil the revenue and is COL
lection in 1871. was then a member OF Mr. Monoe's
administration. There was then little fraud on the
revenue from smuggling other causes as cheap IND
simple as were the laws and mode Of collection as at
present.
Something certainly ought to be done 10 reduce The
present enormous expense OF collecting the revenues
but can tell the senators, from the experience |
have had in reference 10 the reduction OF expense,
that nothing can be done without the hearty co-ope.
ration Of the head OF the Treasury Department Lii.
tie can be done BY law. The proposed remedy by rpe