The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-25


has been no estimate That 10 the position, it will be
recoeced that / occupied during the last session OF
Congress- and oil The intermediate platforms made al
Baltimore have changed my views In that respect am
now 10 day as was then. Even for all appropriations
which are national in their character-l know the
word national" is some what ndefnable. but will de-
hne il according 10 my viewseven for appropriations
Of national character will not CO. unless that eng
neerng corps, that Typographical corps, which is placed
under the direction OF this government IN order 10 en-
tighten IN places here IN regard 10 these Objects
shall have given us the necessary information 10 enable
US TO act undestandngIy upon this question OF appro
priaton That is the position that and Others occupied
last session. Why abandon II now
Mr.. CASS. do not
Mr. DAWSON. Why. sir, there are appropriations in
this bill for which there have been no estimates.
SENATOR. Are you sure of that' Will you show
Mr. DAWSON. am asked 10 point them out Why,
sir will any senator say that The government has made
estimates for all these appropriations Have any es
mates been made since the last session OF Congress
That is the principle. come up here, whether | am
right wrong, and ask whether there have been es
mates for all the appropriations in this bill and il So
how TO find them II there is but appropria-
lion in this bill Tor which there has been estimate,
have we not the right to offer amendment the bill
for that reason That is what ask now And yet il
is proposed to follow course here now which pre-
cudes from asceaining that fact, and which cuts OF
all amendments in order that the majority may force the
minority to let every appropriation pass which is in this
bill
But the argument from which was reading goes on
| further. II continues: 7.t
|
lave typographical all this will lead and II does
not explain th, bin has been passed. with its
load must be because our mental vision smut In
| by Egyptian darkness"
THIS was an argument intended to preclude this ar
rangement OF making an amendment test question
This argument which listened to with the pro-
| foundest respect and acted under the influence OF II
almost with degree OF subbornness upon that occa-
sion.
g" do PRETEND sir that the most accurate sur
and the carefully prepared estimates can NIX
with accuracy the annual or eventual cost OF work From
the very nature of the elements which necessarily en-
into the calculation, and from the accidents OF water
and weather, we must only expect general aPpIoxina
on towards the object Sl with all these accidents. Ihe
plan is highly acknowledgements, indeed-io discreet
legislation, as well as to faithful administration"
! And SO the argument goes And then there is an
estimate from the department for the year ls49 showing
that certain appropriations estimated Tor, and Ger
tain others not. The arguments of the honorable
senator upon that subject were we'll founded. think.
Now, what am about TO say is ths-that il we are to
establish this system OF appropriations am one OF those
who determined that when took my seat upon the MOOR
of this Congress, whenever my constitutional views are
settled by decision OF the majority, even against my own
convictions, will in my legislative capacity, acquiesce
in that decision. Whenever the government OF the
United States, in either of its Experimentation instance,
in the judicial deparlmen-shall decide question tob
constitutional against my opinion will, as representa-
tive Of that constitution in my legislative character con-
form that decision if deem expedent 10 do so.
Now if to establish this system let us do il de-
beratey; let the country know that from this time
forth, fairly and honestly and after full discussion, the
two great parties OF the country have come to the con-
Let be understood that three ourths of this Congress-
belonging TO the party which have heretofore lived under
the explosion OF this SYSTEM and who have declared that
such their policy them have now changed their opn-
ions and have united themselves with their politically
antagonsc party, and have all settled down upon the
constitutional ground OF this question do not desire to
create any discussion upon this matter. All that wish
that the country may know that the Congress OF the
United States, composed politically as II now is, have
seriously and concusvey 10 the conclusion that il
is constitutional TO make these appropriations And IN
order have this decision OF character 10 carry force
and weight and influence the public mind,
desire that il shall be made upon due deberaon do
no, desire that shall be made under the declaration
that this bill shall have amendment made 10 il thai
il is perfect that il cannot be made beter that you can
tracing from its merits and doing injury to the
try. Now is that true Can any man 60 10 the country
and proclaim TO the people OF the United States that this
bill is perfect that ought not TO be touched !-tha,
no other of the country could be found that all
have been sought for and all have been found which
worthy and proper TO be placed in II II they can DO
that, then will say let them vote for the bill as II now
stands.
Mr. CASS. wish 10 say but "a few words asd in
the hrst place. let me say TO the honorable senator fpm
Georgia Mr. DAwsos,l that he has totally misapPe-
hended my position, be will before get through
The honorable senator supposes that there to be some
sort OF arrangement by which he is 10 be precuded from
discussing these several appropriations and voting Tor
them. Now, who is TO prevent bimf All OF us whs
maintain this course In regard TO the bill have main
tanned that far respects the policy TO be pursued u
reference this BILL il is best not 10 increase it, as
must then be sent back TO the House. But no man has
the idea that there should be debating in
regard 10 any appropriation in the bill from beginning to
end Honorable gentlemen may talk week upon every
one OF the provisions and if they show that there
are any the bill that unconstitutional or lnexpeden
there is aothng prevent them from being struck out
i will vote for that myself. What opposed 10 il
amending the BILL for two the first IS, that IL
that case il must be sent back TO the House. which am
opposed to and the next is, that Is unnecessary to in
crease the bill by adding those appropriations which would
lead and many others who may now favor the bill 10
vote against IT, That is the position upon which place
ourselves shall be happy TO have the honorable sena
tor il he desires IT, discuss every appropriation in this
bill from beginning to end. have never said would
certainly vote for this bill but said that from my pres
ent understanding OF il, prepared vote for IT,
did desire to preclude discussion by any member OF
the Senate the contrary, hope will 20 on until il
is entirely explained.
Now with respect TO my position al the last session OF
Congress, allow TO say to the honorable senator why
It is that advocate this bill occupy the same posi-
ton now that did then. have become satisfied that
this is expedent and proper and if he is satisfied Of it,
will he not vote for i'll
/ Mr. DAWSON | will then, but not until then
Il MIR. CASS Allow me 10 say 10 the honorable senator
that il be will show single appropriation in this bill
not estimated for, will vote against IT, He totally mis-
appehends the whole matter; every OF these appro-
pations has been estimated for II they have not been
estimated for lei the honorable show that fact
The objection made TO the bill OF the last session
precisely this; gentleman jumped up here and got
immense appropriation put in the bill for which
not tell the nature OF the work. whether IL would cost
$1,000 or S100,00O,000. The object OF these est-
mates is 10 check lavish and useless appropriations and
TO enable know where the work TO lead us and
what its nature is IA 4 have said before we should
have these estimates guide us here, for they