The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-26

stdtcu) CAN naTuly NC ~ ldfko &c tucJ WV '.'S
last And this being the condition of the treasury,
if the House did resist extravaganza apPropria,
tons, he desired the country 70 know what wouiu
be the consequence. As TO raising more revenue
by increasing the tariff, he believed that every
body would admit there no prospect OF that;
The idea was increasing that higher tariu "ouiu
cut Oft importations, to some extent mere were
but two items in the tariff from which revenue
could be derived, namely; tea and coilee. He
wished the fact go the country that II the APP
preparations continue TO the extent that congress
has carried them tax will have TO be laid on tea
and coffee, and that we will be constantly III deo'
and have to live by loans or direct taxation:
Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee. The chairman Oh
the Committee of Ways and Means heretofore an
nounced to this House and the country that ne Is
not ready for reform in the navy. WISH 70 KIN"
whether he is in favor Of reform IN the army!
Mr.. BAYLY was obliged to his friend IoI asking
him the question. The House would recoliect that
when the proposition came here from the Military
Committee TO increase the rank and lille OF the army
the extent of three thousand men, he resisted IL
with whatever yigor he Possessed. Inc Coihihi''oS
OF Ways and Means estimated for ffeen hunorSu'
MIR. BURT noticed allusion made to nm py
the gentleman, and said that, although he desireo
to reduce the army he reported the bill on the re-
sponsibility OF the recommendation OF the oecie'a
ry of War. 1t was the duty of the President 70
protect the frontiers, which were menaceo, anu
with reference TO which the increase was iiiaoe
and he prepared to take the responsibility Oh
his conduct, as the chairman Of the COMMITTEE.
and to defend his position at whatever cost.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, concurred in the
force of the remarks OF the gentleman from South
Carolina and he should vote for any measure to
support treaty obligations, or defend our peo-
pie ON the borders. But d similar obligation does
not exist as TO the navy He conceived that he had
demonstrated that two millions could be saved in
this branch of the public service, and 1t be made
far more efficient; and he was astonished that
while gentleman had risen to dispute his poston
the Chairman Of the Committee of Ways and
Means says that this is not the time to make re-
uenchment and reform in the naval service. No
man had dared to combat his position, and we were
told that propositions to retrench are out OF order
w vote nine millions OF dollars but 1t Is out
of order to make reduction OF two.
MIR. FOWLER inquired how much of the forty
odd millions appropriated went to sustain the ar
my and navy.
MIR. BAYLY replied, about seventeen and third
millions. He certainly did not mean to throw any
blame on the gentleman from South Carolina Tor
an increase OF the army. He was glad to Ind that
the heads OF the different committees now what
he saw the week after he placed at the head of
the Committee of Ways and Means. 1t was idle
for the House and the committees to undertake re-
| trenchment and reform unless there was hearty
| sympathy between the Executive and Congress.
| He was glad to find the gentleman from South
Carolina of the opinion. The gentleman
| from Tennessee (Mr. STANToN) had strangely
misconceived him. He offered no opposition to
| that genteman's proposition On the contrary,
when he (Mr. b was closing the debate on the
| navy bill, the gentleman questioned him, and he
informed the gentleman that he was absent on q
| COmmlttce OF conference Wncn he MT. 81 IMAGE
his speech that he had not read IT. nor his amend
| ment; and that 1t impossible for him to ex-
press an opinion; and If he had made any oPposi-
ton, it consisted in saying that he could not vote
for thorough reform, not having an opportunity
to Judge of the effect of the proposition.
| Mr.. STANTON. ! could not expect to carry
such a reform against the wishes of the gentleman
and those of the old officers OF the navy.
Mr.. BAYLf repeated, that the country wal
about being awakened to reform, and expressed
the hope that it would be made. No reform ever
took place on the face Of the earth, nor ever will
by the voluntary action OF the Government itself
No reform takes place until public opinion forces il
upon the Government; and he glad TO see the at
tenton of the people called to the matter. In con-
| clusion he said that we are appropriaung more
money than are raising; he had shown that we
cannot raise more money, unless we tax tea and
| coffee, resort to loan. Our national debt is
seventy five millions of dollars independent of the
ten millions for Texas; which carry the amount tc
| eighty five millions
Mr. GREEN (Mr BAyLY yielding the ioor) was
proceeding to address the committee against ex-
| travagance, when
Mr. billiard called him to order, on the ground
that he was celebrating the speech OF the gentle
man from Virginia.
Mr.. GREEN. am not celebrating. but wish tc
| explain.
4 The CHAIRMAN said that 1t was an evasion d
| the rules.
MIR. BAYLY claimed the floor, and said that he
hardly 10 make speech; but more was saic
inside of his speech by various gentlemen than wal
contained IN the speech ltsell. lie requested Tina
his speech should not be reported because it could
not, for the reason stated, be understood
! Mr.. GREEN moved pro Jormd amendment to
the pending propositions and said that forty I'VE
millions was large item per annum for the sup
| port Of the Government, and equal to 50 so per
head for everybody, white and black, in the coun-
try III this enormous tax was proposed IN any state
the people would almost rise against the Govern
ment. The Chairman Of the Committee Of Ways
and Means was now opposed 10 extravaganza after
| the bills have passed beyond his reach.
Mr.. BAYLY inquired whether the gentleman
knew OF solitary amendment offered 10 the bill:
which he had not opposed
Mr.. GREEN said that, having but FIVE minutes
to speak, the time would not admit of interruption
The gentleman deserves the gratitude Of the coun'
try for what he has done. Every reform proposed
by the gentleman from Tennessee, (Mr. STASToS, }
however, was opposed by the gentleman from Nir-
ginia. How did IL happen that he was in favor o.
reform, when he opposed every measure looking &c
that result IL looked like "Satan reproving SIM
and the gentleman yields most freely to the Exec.
utive Departments.
The amendments were then rejected.
MUSICAL ISsTRrMENrs AND ExtPAvAeANcE
Mr.. BURT offered M amendment, appropriatinn
s4OO TO pay for musical instruments lost by tht
band attached 20 the second regiment Of artillery
during the Mexican war. lie said that, at Ccrro
Gordo. they laid down their instruments and took
guns in their hands and fought. At Moline del Reg
ihey again fought; and at ChepultePec they car
rlcd the ladders OF the storming party 10 the WALL
Of the castle. Their instruments were there lost
and four hundred dollars will replace them.
Mr.. BlSSELL opposed the amendment unjust
partial, and unequal. lie knew Of other musiciani
who lost their instruments on the field Of Mexico
aud who were not allowed one cent by the pay
master or the department Many soldier wbC
lost his mus<et, and could not account for the par
ucular manner in which he lost II, refused pay
Mr.. BURT said that those instruments were no
purchased by the Government, but with the voun
tary contributions OF the officers. Those musician
laid down their instruments and fought with mus
kcts in two battles, and carried the stormng lad
ders al another.
Mr.. BlSSELL. have such a case in my minc
now.
Mr.. BURT Bring il forward.
Mr.. BlSSELL. The lamonted Hardin's regimen
had fine band. On the day Of battle, instead o
playing music they fought with muskets, and
large portion Of their instruments entirely
lost. Pay for the drums was deducted from thc
pay.
Mr.. billiard moved TO reduce the amour
one hall. lie said that the course OF remark in
dulged In was directed TO a specific object. Wher
a proposition comes up 10 increase the expenses
gentlemen endeavor TO make IL appear that there
is an indispostion on the part Of the Administra
ton TO cooperate in reducing the expenses Of th'
Government We Che Whigs) in minority
in tins and the other House, and the Admnistra
ton depends for supplies on the Opposition. tn,
| Speaker, chosen by the Oopositiou. aclcctcd mer