The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-12

as they might they woudif the bills which we pass
for the supply OF the government were duly considered
uenbers % Of both bodies they were not passed 10 the
midst Of "nose and confusion great deal worse Than
that which has been most unjustly associated wllh
the name Of the senator from Michigalif they were
not passed in the midst sometimes OF hubbnb and con-
fusion, the like OF which was never presented - any
other deliberatve assembly, venture TO say il they
were not passed after exhaustng sessions OF day
and night The legislation oil Congress would be much
better AT The Las, session most important bill for
the support OF large branch OF the public service
not sent 10 this body until after the period when the
session should have been closed The COMMITTEES had not
time read il, and only knew its provisions BY borrow
ing from the House the preceding Sunday for examine
on aud there scarcely time 10 read II In the Senate
ifiegislaon were conducted with ealmness and debera
who hold ssas here all 10 IL there would be no such
necessity for transfers. perhaps rs now exists In time Of
probable there would be necessity for transfers in
the War Department Perhaps in that department they
would always be necessary 10 limited extent ldoub very
much whether the military service would not be liable 10
essd s hs hesa Il s With sssns ss %
hs sasy Gsss.qas r. aas s,s- gcsss;s;; ;a sa9p u
avoided, as il has been in the Navy Department
Since the year 1912, with single exceptions, the
tor from Virginia says that they have done without The
power power Of iransisn b. The Navy Department Aisr that
tne there was special power however, conferred on
the head OF that department, byan act passed in ls4s,
which authorized considerable sum of money to be
transferred by the Secretary OF the Navy, aid applied TO
other heads of expenditure in the Navy Department.
such power Of transfer. have doubt il get along
hereafter without it, and think that perhaps the other
departments with the exception OF the War Department,
nigh, do without such power OF transfer. But Then It
viii require liberay the part OF Congress-t will re-
tquire trust in the honesty and capacity OF the men
who administer the government we must not strike
down appropriations in the dark, and say that with
without reason, will not allow them more than the
half OF what they estimate for We must know what we
are about or else we take away this power Of transfer,
we may ind some Of The wheels Of government stopped
The senator spoke about system of rests and ball
ances. and he seemed to think that was very nderento
the necessity and the obvious advantages OF asceranng
from lime TO time, what condition was, nearly as
possible That not The senator Is mistaken II he
supposes that considered il Of Importance DO con,
sder it OF importance and recolect, when addressed
the Senate before that told them OF the approach which
had been made towards that object by the Secretary OF
War. will now read what did not read on that occa-
sion-the proof Of that which alnde Here IL
der issued by the Secretary of War the 4h OF April
1851, and do not know that any criticism Of Congress-
had stimulated him at that time Tor do not thlnk there
anything suggested about system of rest and bal
ances at the time when he Issued this order:
! C1eulor 10 bursaus
This chief of each OF of this department will
cause TO be kept his Office exhibng under The
several heads OF appropriation the expended for
the service of each fiscal year. commencing WIN aud IN
tares be referred, the Ia which the money
may nave been paid, bat the year for the service Of which
ever be date oil the payment
An account viii also be kept of all payments which have
year. appropriations for debts and Liabilities con-
the commoncenent OF July l,
1885, speeying il praciicabe the particular year ia which
The debi or iia6liily Incurred.
The accounting officers requested to keep each bu-
reau advised OF every payment Or settlement ade at the
treasury affecting ms apptorristons Tor tss current and
p''''~ "''' 80 c. NJ. CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT, April 4, 1851;
/ think that was reformation and approximation
to The system desired by the senator do not know that
much nearer approach 10 a system oil rests and bal
ances which the suggests, be arrived at IN
any other way Il may be approyimaied; IT cannot be
entirely arrived at do not believe that II can be at
tanned in any other way than by carrying ont exactly
such view that which the Secretary oil War Is seen
10 have taken more than year ago.
The senator seemed to think that The practice oi allow
ing army appropriations appropriations Tor suppessng
hostues, remain outstanding more than Two years,
was violation Of the constitution. iarned 10 the
clause and found in the enumeration OF the powers OF
Congress the following
"To raise and support armies but no appropriation Of
money 10 that shall be for longer lime han two
/ years"
suppose the meaning OF that is. that the money ap
ptoprsied shal be appropriated by Congress Tor
setyiceof more than years; that any appropriation
made shall contemplate the service OF The government
for than period OF two years. not that lhe money
may not remain in the treasury subject TO all demands
upon il which the service OF these two years may require
bu, that you shall not appropriation example, IN the
year s52-by law ior The military service o. he Eoy
you certainly cannot do under the provisions 81 the con-
sttuon But The practice Of this government always has
indicated different CONSTRUCTION OF tbat VI
constitution from that which the senator from Virginia
seems to give IL for know, OF the very appropriation
Of which be spesksthai for the suppression OF Indian
ho.iiies in Florida, either made in 1899 or isaohat u
remained outstanding appropriation IRON that tune
dewn the advent OF the present administration into
power II il was unconstitutional 10 keep that fund out
standing, II was the duly OF the political friends OF The
gentleman from Virginia, when they in power, to
carry the surpas fund. II there was any violation
OF the constitution, they violated BY not carrying this
amount 10 the surplus fund
Mr.. HUNTER. The senator refers 10 one luna OF
which did not speak, because there has been series OF
Legislation upon that subject law was passed IN ls4t
reappropriang this fund 10 certain SPECIAL purposes ~
appropriation for paying claims, and not pec'sely
a military appropriation. The fund to which refer was
an appropriation for the payment oil volunteers, which
was strictly military appropriation, and which, three
wears after wards was used and transferred by the Secre
iary of War The act of Congress appropriated that
amount in si7 and IT used three years afterwards
Mr.. PEARCE. The senator referred. as understood,
to Appropriation for The suppression OF Indian hos
ties
Mr. HUNTER referred to that for the purpose of
sho wing that that item OF appropriation was used as
preience enable the Secretary 10 apply TO the payment
OF private clam money Appropriated to The payment
OF militia did moi reier to it Tor the purpose Tor winch
the senator seems to think.
4 Mr.. PEARCE. But we know very well thai 'ne con-
slrucon gwen TO the act Of fs2o by Mr Grundy whcn
Attorney General under MIR. Van Burens adninsauon'
was that all these appropriations might pe kep' ouano
Ing more than two years. unless ,ns oplec. was com
peteduness the purpose for which the money was APP
popriaied was satisfied Why, then, talk Of paying II
into the surplus fund " the object not completed IL
oil the