Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-03-23

turned outs the large item of EXPENSE for storage casge
&c., charged the st half Of this year. compared with the
corresponding period last year, explained the whole differ
II also explain the increased estimated
for the next fiscal year. of which the chairman also
complained The expense Of that year estimated at twen
tyseven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Now, If TO the
sum OF two millions two hundred thousand which the
expenses in 1852 there be added for storage, carriage &C.
say two hundred and fifty thousand for the expenses in
California two hundred and fifty thousand and fifty thousand
for increase of warehousng by the Government that be
not dispensed with and for increase OF business In dis
cts likely be established at the present session, and
have the Of twentyseyen hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, without there being fact increase Of expend
ture in the old service.
[Mr. DISNEY here inquired what amount paid for
storage in the first half OF this and what in the first half
of the last.
Mr. VIsToS said (in repy) that he informed that the
amount paid out in the first half OF this year about
hundred and thousand dollars and the paid
out in the corresponding period last year about
thousand
Mr. " resumed and said that he thought the explanation
gi would be satisfactory and therefore he should
besow further remarks upon it, but to another topic
Mr. BAYLr here said that if he (Mr. VIsTos) had any
thing further to say that topic he wished him to say it
now, as he (Mr. should dispute his conclusion.
Mr. VIsTos said, if the gentleman could not understand
what he had said he despared OF enlghtsnng him
that any might deny that twelve o'clock shned,
and call for proof
will now Mr. Chairman, ask the attention Of the COM
me for short time the particular proposition offered by
that is except California and Oregon from being
Guided in the allowed make the resolution pro-
vision for the Atlantic service only And in the first place.
from what have already said, shall that there
be material reduction in the expenses of the service here
without injury the of the country, and
also to the There in California and Oregon
state of things that above and stronger than all laws
we cannot control it. if we would We shall be obliged,
during the present excited state there to take the Pacific
vice out of general system For nothing be palmer
than that if attempt to limit the service there to the
compensation give here the result will be that the
houses there will be shut up, and shall get
at all If the Pacific service be not excepted, then duc
ton must be made here the Atlantic equal TO the whole
expense there Now who undertake tell what
will be Can the chairman any one else do it answer
Besides Unborn of justice in the bosom of
every tells him, that if duty be imposed public Of
hcer he ought to know, with reasonable certainty, the
tent Of that duty.
How much shall the Secretary strench here to make COOL
the expense there Ii he reduce much he will be charged
with having done wanon injury to the public service
e then he will be assaied because be did not do what
the law commanded Besides, what directions orders
he convey to California after this resolution shall pass time
be Of any avail him this business of reduction much
less he get any information from there Let the service
go here the Atlantic for the four FIVE months
the end OF this year. always has been conducted and
IN the mean time congress can lake and act the es
mates for the next year. and decide what basis establish
the service The whole amount involved in this resolution
the difference Of the footing has always stood
upon and that which will be saved in half year by
forced system of reduction at best be but very
small saving II is very truth the farce Of "Much Ado
About Nothing y WHILE from what am told of the effects
Of what has already been done the merchants and business
men Of the country, it is to them vertabe tragedy rely,
s upon the good sense Of the committee adopt the amend
ment now proposed.
now pass, for moment another topic. Il never was
the intention of the of the Sd March last that the Secre
tay of the Treasury should undertake revise the collection
service He is only submit detailed estimates and il is
the proper business Of Congress make such reforms
may deem polite and expedent but consequence of this
Limitation OF the expenditures having taken effect and Con-
DELAYED thing
compelled to cut down the service far below its Indispensable
wants
Every thing has been thrown into confusion in New York.
ana In the other great commercial cities day since
saw the collector for the city of New York. who gave
full and detailed accoont Of the effect already produced in
the business community there; and without going any
repetition OF his statements, which my time will allow,
the result Of II was expression of firm conviction in his
mnd which be authorized state this floor, that if
matters left there their present plight for twelve
month, would be attended with loss of the
Government OF more than million of dollars He stated
that markers had been dispensed with that goods obliged
to De taken at their invoices that instead Of being able
ply with the law, which requires inspectors TO
DE placed each vessel that instances nspec
tor was obliged TO have the charge Of several Now, this
leads directly to encourage mpoatons with false invoices
to smuggling, and all sorts of frauds What, sir the
OF Sonr collection districts whose only office is prevent
smuggling, and which collect little revenue, if open
much better door for il in the city Of New York. or in
Boston In regard this crime, people have thus far
been proveblaly moral community but, sr, if you
open uoor TOT II, ana force them INTO smuggling; II they
once taste the sweets OF Illicit trade and the public mind
be thereby dsmoakzed you may find very easy thing
to eradicate here more than elsewhere. Sir you
against that.
But must hasten to another topic The chairman of the
Committee Of Ways and Means avoid the effect of the OBJ
ecton that the Secretary Of the Treasury ought
derake this system OF erenchmen because in his action he
must conhne himself to those parts OF the service which
be has discretion, and change abolish those parts
of which established by law while Congress power
ALL conrovers this position and maintains that since
the act OF the Sd of March last limits the expenditure
Sl,5oO OOO therefore, by necessary implication he has
the whole service, well that regulated by
ute that conded to his discretion. Speaking Of salaries
ne says: 81 know is supposed he touch these
is said their salaries regulated by law do concur
10 this opinion When law of the Sd Of March, lS49
passed. requiring the Treasury Department reduce the
expenses OF collecting the ST. 500 000
sarly gave the Secretary the authority do it. His dscre
ton as to the mode Of reduction was unlimited"
Mr. BarLI requested Mr. VrSroS read the next para
graph, which be did.
Mr. VISTos. 'sSuppose Continues Mr. BAYLr) the sa.
aes OF all the officers OF the had been fixed by law
prior to the Sd of March, ls49, could it be said therefore,
that was imperative That the last law would be
roled and modified by those which preceded it !"
Mr. VINTos said this sounded though back
again under the old dpensaoE II had been the fashion
many past to up extravagan in favor
OF Executive AUTOBIOGRAPHY claim for the Executive
gislaive powers and still freely exercise them He
mad hoped to hear of hs that the change of Admin
istraton it did nothing ese would leave Congress enjoy
unmolested ITS proper function of legislation and that control
over the policy of the country which the constitution vested
this Department OF the Government Sir the Secretary is TO
lay estimates before Congress- and they make the
preparations To assume that this limitation unseles the