The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-03
Ths War Department and ITS FINANCES"

zeal 0xpeFence--loI ho ""J nav oo''S
claim to military knowledge but il he directs The
movements Of the administration organ IN It's defence
of the War Department. he is woully deficient IN
tactics This fact will prove IN the fewes words
possible.
The Republic Of yesterday asserts that our argument OF
the day before has this basis to witt 'at the head Of
the department has right to lump all The appropria.
ons for the year. and that When of them falls short he
may supply the deficiency from mother
Now we must be permitted to say that we made no
such assertion, and that reasoned from such basis
as will prove by repeating the very words used,
as quoted by the Republic to sustain its allegation,
Those words the readers OF the Republic will find by
looking a, its issue of yesterday, are
W. kaow very rceH that appropriations made in
gross but knoo that the heads Of departments finding
the appropriation for branch Of expenditure
suciewt phe another the appropriation THAI
,nGcet squalzsd matters BIZ taking from the item too Id
orally PROVIDED for, as to benft the iis" ~ can't
II we know anything OF our mother tongue, those
words do not convey the idea that the head of depart
ment has right to "lump all the appropriations for the
year. the contrary, they state in the strongest
that the heads of departments have right TO make
dumping business" OF appropriations But we did
say and repeat now that the heads of departments,
finding hathe appropriation for one branch OF expend-
iture is too great, may apply, or rather had applied
that surplus other branches OF expenditure On this
point we will present the very words OF Mr. Conras
defence. s1
Mr.. Conrads defence admits that there is law which
provides 1--WE copy from the Repu6lie) that "when.
ever the appropriated for any object shall be found
than sufficient 10 meet the expense thereby con-
empsted the surplus may be applied TO supply the de-
fciency in any other item in the department"
Such are the words OF the law cited by the Republic
in defence Of the War Department
So far so good.
Now let us see, and examine.
We have been charged with making the assertion that
appropriations have been made in gross We have given
the strongest refutation Of that charge.
We have been charged with saying that the Secretary
Of War might apply unexpended balances for item to
support other items not adequately provided for. To
meet this assault call attention to the law pub
shed inhe Republic Of yesterday. and extracted above.
to prove what we have said to be strictly and literally
true.
We have said. and repeat that Mr. Cosrad
has full authority under the kau to avail himself OF any
surplus Of appropriation for any item under his manage
ment. and to apply il to any item which may be in
We assert, also, that when appropriation has been
disregard that purpose, and cripple the object of Con-
sress. We say, also, that Duncans battery was pro-
vided for in the appropriation bill We adm, that any
sreea Of appropriation may have been PROPERLY used
for other oecs bu, the time say ,ha,
clearly and plainly illegal for the War Department
to practically disorganize Duncans company-Congress
having provided for its maintenance and support
But time presses on us; so that must be more spe.
cihc Therefore, say;
l. Tha, the Republic has charged US with stating tina,
tn. departments may consider their appropriations in
gross.
2. Tha, the quotation made by the Republic proves its
assertion TO be untrue.
.. That the Repubhk contends that Mr.. Conrad was
obliged dsband Duncans battery. in order to use The
horses Tor other purposes.
T. That the Republic asserts that appropriations for
one purpose canno, be used for another. And
5. While making this assertion. it jus,i6es the dsor
ganizat'on OF Duncans battery, on the plea that the
horses necessary for another branch Of the SER
vice.
Surely il cannot be necessary TO ask whether these
things do not prove degree Of reoklessness mbecity
which demands the public attention and the reprobaon
Of the public.
We see through the whole business The administra.
ton may be hard but it has the compac,ness Of a
milestone which obscures the vision.
The War Department. not knowing its own business
pretended that the appropriations not large enough
that its desire TO check Indian oulrases thwarted
Then !, published in the Tasigsneer statement which
showed ], had unexpended balance from the las,
year Of nearly $4,000 900; then said tina, ,hi. amount
consisted Of the balances OF items which could no, be
appropriated to the Quarema,ters bureau then it ad-
msd that the present Secretary had heretofore trans
fsusd such balances; then it commended that such
transfers were Illegal then it contended that such
ranafe were specially authorized by the law then !,
denied again that such transfers could be legally made
and then justified the PRACTICAL Reorganization of Dun
cans battery, the ground that only the surplus OF
appropriation nigh, be transferred. but that an obec,
which Congress had specifically provided for might be
entirely thwared by taking away ts appropriation
At our earliest convenience we will present the very
words Of the law touching the matters OF which have
spoken. But in the mean time will tell the organ Of
the administration that fully understand the strength
Of our position.
The Nsssecal Merumsrs journal.
A. al nhnyo ~ thc