The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-28

than a hundred dollars than the support Of the
soldier ever cost. 1t was better, he commended. to
call out the freemen OF Texas and New Mexico to
meet the Indians They would better do il than
the forces which the Secretary of War could send.
Pay these men literally for their services. The
transportation OF regular, would cost more than
citizens defended themselves etfectually from the
savages, when the Indian warriors were numbered
by thousands, rather than by hundreds, ms now.
The standing army should be reduced to the lowest
standard, and the people should defend them
selves. and not have recourse to hired merccna-
ries.
MIR. BAYLY remarked that he had nothing to
say, after the observations of his colleague on the
Committee OF Ways and Means; and the gen.
teman from South Carolina was at the head Of the
Committee on Military Affairs, he proposed that
he (Mr. BAyLy) entitled to, to close the
debate, having reported the bill.
There being objection to this suggestion
Mr.. BURT said that the gentleman from Geor-
gia MIR. TooMns) implied what he MIR. b. } now
asserted, that thorough investigation Of the APP
preparations and estimates for the army had salts
ned him that these expenditures which are just
~ the subject ofcensure, resulted from NAL admin
istraton of the War Department. For series of
yeas, twenty five or thirty, the abuses have been
constantly increasing, and have never diminished.
While he said this, It but just to the officers
who have administered the affairs of the War De-
partment to remark that, with one exception (al-
though men of talent had occupied the post,) they
| have not, each, remained in power long enough to
guished citizen Of South Carolina, (Mr. CALHouN,)
at early period Of our history. He remained
eight years. MIR. b. believed that other man
was in the Office more than four ycars; and no man
could devise and successfully introducesuch reforms
as are necessary in two, three, or four years The
present Secretary of War has devoted his atten-
ton earnestly and diligently to this subject: He
has issued orders and adopted policy intended to
| reduce. and must reduce, the expenditures. The
abuses of which the gentleman from Georgia has 20
earnestly and effectively, and in some instances 80
of the Department; and the gentleman was con-
strained to acknowledge that he strikes at these
abuses in the dark, and tells US we have control of
the public purse. After further remarks in relation
to the consultations and determination Of the Com
mittee on Military Afairs TO make reforms, in
which they werc seconded by the present Secretary
OF War and his predecessor, he averred to the COM
mittec and TO the country that no man could put
his finger single estimate of any of the bureaus
which he will say be wisely and safely di-
minished; and yet the gentleman from Georgia
would strike at them in the gross and in the dark
MIR. B. examined the estimates, giving the bases
OF them, and showing why the expenditures Of the
qunrtermaster's department are larger than for
mery; mainly attributable TO the transportation Of
troops to the settlements, and the attendant
expenses Of supplies. He replied to the remark Of
Mr. TooMBs, about foreigners being employed to
defend the people when they should defend them
selves and said that the army cannot be filled with
native Americans at the present rate of pay. He
spoke of the warke character of the Indians in the
new country; and, in the course Of his remarks,
SAID tnat IL would require twenty uve hundred
armed men in New Mexico. for the next twenty,
thirty fifty years. and that it would be cheaper
to remove every man we are under obligation to
protect, give him land. and supply him with pro-
visions for twelve months in any other part of the
country, than to let those people remain in New
Mexico. and protect them BY military force.
Mr.. BAYLY said that, as in case Of gentle
mans household, economy in the Government does
not consist in income, but in the judicious and cir
cumspect manner the means are used The in
come may be as acant as possible, yet fhere be no
economy in administration, the expenditures will
still be large His experience satisfied him beyond
doubt that it ia the administration which ID al
ways responsible for the public expenditures and
not Congress, for extravaganza always grows out
OF the administration. He gratified that the
senior Senator from Missouri (Mr. BENroN) had
mentioned that, in a conversation with Nathaniel
Macon on the subject, he stated that no reform Of
abuses would ever be made, and no reduction had
ever been made, without the thorough and hearty
cooperation executive and Legislative branches
OF the government; and he glad TO hear the
gentleman from Georgia, to-day, express the same
sentiment; and he was glad. in reading the speech
Of his friend from Tennessee, to see il stated
that there would never be retrenchment and
| reform without the thorough and hearty CO.
operation OF the executive and Legislative de-
partments of the Government. The War De-
partment say that there be reduction
without detriment to the public service; and the
Committee OF Ways and Means were compelled to
bring in this bill, strike in the dark. He did not
believe that tho rate of expenditures would be
| tailed by the Administration, and the result will
DO t0ub OnRTcD0 VIII nave TO 9upply D large de-
fciency at the next session Of Congress He should
vote for the bill il is, with the reductions of the
estimates. He hoped that they would force the
Administration into moro economy than has here
tofore prevailed, especially in the quarermasters
department He predicted that the long and the
short will be that Congress will have to make up in
deficiency bill the money now withheld. How
ever, we will avoid the necessity of issuing trea-
sury notes, which the Secretary of the Treasury
says will be necessary to meet the payments of the
awards made by the Mexican commission.
The committee then proceeded to vote on amend
rnents. That of Mr.. GIDDIses, to strike out $751;
GIG for expenses Of recruiting, was rejected.
On motion of Mr.. BURT, after debate, the ap-
preparation for clothing for the army, camp, and
Mr.. EWING moved to increase the appropra-
ton for the regular supplies Of the quartermasters
department, from 6630,000 to 81 ,260,000 The
last sum. he said was the estimate Of the War De-
partrnent; the former amount was proposed by
the Committee Of Ways and Means. This would
bring the committee to test whether the artillery
shall be dsmounted, and portion of the army de-
Debate ensued, which was not concluded when
until six
EyENING SESSION.
| There being quorum present at six O'Clock,
(after the recess,) there call of the House.
Excuses were received for absentees. A quorum
| subsequently, appeared, when further proceedings
| were dispensed with.
xossUTH AND HIS COMPANIONS.
Mr.. McCLERNAND asked the House to proceed to
the consideration of the first resolution Of the Senate,
| authorizing the President of the United States to
employ some one of the public vessels in the Medi
| terranean to receive and convey to this country
Louis Kossuth and his associates in captivity.
| MIR. COBB, of Alabama, objected
| MIR. McCLERNAND moved suspension of the
! rules.
The resolution was read.
Mr.. HALL said that great many Of our own
citizens are in California, and want to come home.
| Mr. TOOMBS. Let US attend to our own coun-
| try first
MIR. BURT. object, and call for the yeas and
nays.
| The SPEAKER The motion of the gentleman
| from Illinois is to suspend the rules.
| The question was taken, and the motion of Mr..
McCLHRNASD was disagreed to-ycas 81, nays so;
] not two-thrds.
| MIR. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, from COM
mttee of conference, reported that the Senate had
| recedcd from its amendment to the West Point
Military Academy bill, ,appropriating $4,000 for