The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-25
THE UNION WASHINGTON THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH % 1852

represented having just claim upon this government
All ms has evidently been done with view 10 make
false Issue before the county and 10 put Ia false
position and Tor this but one reason be assigned in
my opnonand thai Is desire 10 evade and 10 avoid the
Just responsibility ON the part OF this government Tor lis
public acts. #e# IL III
My object in moving to refer this matter 10 The Com
ltsee on Public Buildings to ascertain whether the
charges which had been made against The persons en-.
gagged IN the construction Of this work true or not
and wanted. In carrying out that object still further
gel all The facts upon The subec and therefore have
moved this resolution OF inquiry OF the Presden 10 learn
what mas been DONE and The mode In which the money
heretofore appropriated has been expended in the fur
theranee OF the work. s.lr $50 Wle.4s
Another consideration, sir. which think peculiarly
appropriate, = THIS: ! learn from good authority that
contracts 70 inc amount OF about million and hall OF
collars have already been entered nIo with the view Of
carrying on this work. based upon the single appropria
Gon OF hundred thousand dollars made last year.
desire 10 know whether this be so and II il be so,
ha congress shall know ii, in order that they may take
such steps as they shall deem appropriate 10 arrest such
course OF procedure and require the executive de-
pafiment oil the government, IN the appropriation aud
expenditure OF money and in contracts involving the
future expenditure OF money for public works, 10 hold
can make appropriations and Judge OF their propriety
That Is my object, sir. $50 4-
MIR. BADGER. desire 10 say one word, Mr. Presi-
dent before the question is taken upon the resolution Of
my honorable friend from Arkansas He says he under
stands that contracts have been made for the construction
Of this work, TO very large amount beyond the hun
and IN case that turns out TO be correct he thinks that
there should be steps taken by Congress
such procedure in time 10 come believe sir,
cuted, and directs that il shall be undertaken by one OF
the executive officers OF the and an apprOpr.
anon is made for expenditures Tor the year, that
that appropriation is to furnish limit by which he is TO
make his engagements for carrying the work Surely
not Congress directs the work 10 be executed for the
enlargement OF the Capitol Bnit entered into the
head or the imagination Of any human being that the
hundred thousand dollars appropriated TO complete
the work. That was appropriated towards commencing
the work merely; and suppose il thought TO be
necessary until the reassembling Of Congress- when fur
Their appropriations would become necessary. My inn
preston is, that the action of the government has al
ways been Of similar character.
Mr. BORLAND. wish merely to say, sir, with all
Difference to The opinion Of the honorable senator from
North Carolina, that differ with him essentially in opin-
ion. For whatever my opinion may be worth, il will
pass. Il certainly is authority for myself. admit that
the appropriation OF 100000 does not limit the Presi-
dent, or the officer charged with the execution of the
work as to the plan OF that work, to the arrangements
10 be made in view of the continuation and completion of
the work but, sir, before heard the position
taken that ought not TO limit him the he
shall expend II he make contracts upon appro-
priaon OF 100000 to the extent of million and half,
he can make contracts, having the authority of law
10 the expenditure Of every dollar in the treasury How
can he know that Congress will with the work. if
they find that il is 10 lead to extraordinary expendi
ure, or to one larger than was anticipated at the time
II this principle is 10 be admitted there is check at all
upon The Executive. II we pass resolution or act for
certain piece OF work, and ray how much money shall
be used by the Executive if he goes and disregards
the limit thus fixed, there is no other limit He 20
on without instruction, and make contracts for five or
ten millions OF dollars, and we bound TO ra,fy his
contracts Ii there is obligation upon say when
these contracts are kept within proper bounds il is pa
cling the whole treasury without the least restriction of
law in the hands OF the President, and he il
he pleases. That is the only control that have. We
can tell him precisely how far to 60, but cannot lay
out his plans for him We have no other CONTROL we
do not restrict the appropriations: 1t is OF no TO
make an appropriation OF any particular amounts for
might well tell the President TO go the treasury and
take out any amount, at his discretion It amounts to
that; and cannot sanction such ACT. Ii this were
proposition directly throwing The treasury open for him
honorable senator from North Carolina would not vote
for such proposition and yet where is the difference in
the practical operation Of nus we make an approPIa,
the President TO make contracts to unlimited amount,
which bound to comply with In their practical
operation can see no difference whatever between the
Mr., BADGER Its the easiest thing in the world for
gentleman TO make out case by appending few
words TO the principles laid down, which nobody has
used thought of | said nothing about the President
having right TO make contracts for any he pleased
by which should he bound Nobody imagines such
thing And when my friend from Arkansas, in antici.
patton OF any report upon the subject is eager 10 cast
reflection upon the President OF the United States, that
in Offering resolution calling for information upon the
subject which has been considered by the unanimous
consent OF the Senate, he cannot permit The resolu-
ton TO be adopted without anticipation OF something
wrong and injurious u to be very natural that he
should amend the statement made by putting IN words
which neither used nor thought Of ! say this: When
Congress- directs work 10 be executed, il is the custom
10 make appropriations from time 10 ne as the work
advances; and il is also the custom with those who
are charged with the work, whether the President oil the
United States anybody clse To make the preliminary
contracts and engagements for The supplies that sup
posed to be necessary In the further prosecution Of the
work. But all these contracts and arrangements are
made conditional upon the appropriation OF tie money be-
ing made, and upon Congress continuing the work There
intention Ia the world 10 control Congress There is
no obligation upon Congress--none upon earth. II we
choose stop the work where IL II choose 10 dis.
continue the completion OF il; if, upon ascertalnng the
cost OF work, we change our minds aud think II is not
worth what IL will cost we may stop where we are
These contracts and arrangements all cease and govern
ment is not charged with the payment OF them.
Everybody must see that il the person charged with
the execution OF the work made contract arrange
menl, stipulation 10 provide materials for its further
prosecution them al the end OF session OF Congress
the work must come 10 dead stand and when another
appropriation IL made entirely set OF contracts
m at be made for the ensuing year, new materials coll
ected, parties charged with forwarding the work
and the consequences must be most expensive and
injurious the government. Certainly the executive
government has no right 10 spend dollar more than Con
gress appropaies And yet sir, as TO making contracts
and arrangements, il the government think II advan-
ageous anticipation OF the future action OF Congress-
and supposng the government 10 be in earnest and really
intending TO build two additional wings 10 the Capitol, is
right that they should make contracts for the delivery OF
the materials, for other things for carrying
on The work There is improperly in il. But, as
every such contract ~ conditional Congress
prosecuting the work When the appropriation made,
and Congress shall determine that the work is TO 20
then we shall be in condition 10 prosecute II mme
diaely The effect OF the SYSTEM as i is usually pur
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