The daily union., 1852-04-11

the pursued by the last Congress II was the
custom IN iofmer Congresses appropriate small
enough 10 remove few logs from the rivers; and when
the appropriation exhausted did they make another
No. sir they haveeftth whole western valley doited
all over" as the senator expresses H. with unfinished
works. and now requiring money Than il would have
M UNDERWOOD. hope for better times.
Mr. BORLAND. Sir, II is too late for the senator TO
say thai the government must not put itself in that posi-
ton before the wordhat its reputation repudates such
course. 80 far as precedent ,s eoncerned. they are
concerned, II is no matter 10 whether we have be.
gun the work, or. how much we have expended. III.
after is begun, even il at first had approved IT, dis
cover That II s improper and unnecessary, shall vote
for abandoning II while, the other hand even II
had opposed II at first, should vote for il now. if
pended hundred thousand dollars or half million OF
dollars on work, and now nd II unnecessary where
In consists the reason why million should be wasted
on Sir, live TO little purpose if but to follow
out IN the future the have pursued the past
Shall We not profit by our experience I 1t seems 10
me that the argument OF the gentleman. ii followed
would put us in strange position indeed II is new
version OF the doctrine Of precedent, which involves its
advocates in inextricabe dlemmas. faa.H
The question recurring on the amendment OF Mr.
DODGE OF Iowa. he desired TO modify il so as to make
the amount Of the appropriation 100000, instead Of
$230,000 #t#
No, objection being made. the modification was al
lowed. 4a
The question being then taken on the amendment, il
was relected--yeas 10, nays 24--as follows:
YEAs-Messrs. Adams, Atchison, Borand, Bradbury,
Bodhead, Chase Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa,
Douglas. Downs King. Norris Rusk, Wade Walker, and
NAYs-Messrs; Bell Berrlen, Brooke. Clemens Cooper,
Dawson, Fish, Geyer, Hale. Hamlin, Hunter, Mallory
Mangum, Miller, Morton, Pfat,, Seward, Shields Smith,
Spruance Stockton, Sumner, Underwood, and Upham2i
Mr. BORLAND l have an amendment 10 ofer--to
strike out all alter the word tha" and insert the fol-
lowing:
To enable the proper officer of the government pay
the aborers who have been employed IN the extension Of
the Capitol the o wages which they would
have received had they been employed up the
time, and one months wages In addition"
desire, Mr. President, in offering this amendment, TO
present substantially views in regard TO the aborers
and to answer If for other purpose, the wilful and
malicious ISLANDERS and mputaons cast upon through
the press of this city, that had thrown myself before
the huagry moaths of aborng men, deprivng them and
their families OF the means Of support. | wish TO be
placed right upon the record While entertain no oppo-
son to The laborng of the country. but would seek
to promote their welfare respect for the Senate orbds
me TO term which would express the sentiment
upon the of these individuals and who would,
in The very spirit except for controlling circnmsan
ces speculate upon the very bones of their fathers
ask the yeas and nays on the question.
Mr. HALE. Ii il is in order, would like to move
the amendment OF the honorable senator amend
ment TO the resolution, instead OF striking anything
The PRESIDENT. II would not be in order The
senator's proposition is to strike out and insert, which
has not been done.
The yeas and nays ordered.
Mr. HALE. am not going 10 make speech; ! sim.
ply wish 10 say shall vote against the amendments and
If it is voted down. as hope il will, will then il
as an addition 10 the resolution striking out at the end OF
1t " one months additional wages"
The question being taken on the amendment, it was
rejected-ayes u noes 33-as follows:
YEAs-Messrs Adams. Borland, Brodhead, Chase,
NAYs-Messrs Achson, Bell, Berrien, Bradbury. Brooke
Cass. Clemens. Cooper, Dodse OF Wisconsin,. Douglas
Mallory, Mangun Miller Morton, Pratt. Rusk, Seward
Shea nsnm spS aa spusso' Stockton" samHef Underwood
Mr. RDRIANn 7 baya M ,, an arnanlu,an, ~ oE,r
in the way OF provso TO come in at the end OF the bill
Providsd nothing herein ha he construed
as 10 snhorze any officer or agent of the United States to
heretofore made :"
I deem tha, an important amendment am opposed TO
the bill but If ii passes, ! want to have it properly
guarded, in order TO prevent abuses ask the yeas and
nays on that question
The yeas and nays ordered.
Mr. CASS. | am altogether in favor OF the PROPOSE.
ton, if il is necessary.
Mr. SEWARD What right would any such officer
have 10 make such contract without this provso
MIR CASS My only question is, whether he could do
il at any Would not this provso in such case,
carry the implication that as general principle. j, gave
the administration power TO 60 beyond the appropriations
OF Congressl That do not believe at an.
Mr. WALKER: Look at the deficiency bill containing
three millions OF dollars.
Mr. CASS | can understand the necessity of def.
cencies in certain cases. and the responsibility which
any administration nigh, assume TO provide for starving
soldiers for instance bni do moi see the necessity Of
their taking upon themselves the responsibility OF max ing
contracts for work like this which lmperious necessity
does moi require, and when Congress has not ordered
do not understand it, and do not believe they have the
power Still, if any one believes they have. am willing
TO declare this proviso.
Mr. HUNTER Mr. President, in relation TO the
powers OF the administration TO make contracts for any
object, believe they confined 10 the law OF 1920
They may, without any appropriation especially author
lied by law make and incur debts for the sub
ssience and the transportation OF troops and for supplies
in the navy but others. But, by way OF abundant
caution, therefore am willing 10 vote for the amendment
OF the senator from Arkansas.
Mr. HALE. ! want TO say a single word IN regard 10
the PRACTICAL operation OF this principle. think IL is in
the knowledge OF the senator from Michigan, that when
Congress- year or Two ago, made appropriation OF
$4,000 Tor dock the administration, accordance with
the advice given by the Attorney General when ask ed
for his opinion the subject, refused go because
they could not do without larger appropriation than
the amount allowed by law, and the work
pended one year Now, you have no authority, in my
opinion put this amendment in II does not alter the
law from what il sand il will only have the effect to
send back the resolution 10 the House OF
where il will probably be delayed for some months.
am IN favor OF this principle but as II Is not necessary TO
declare il, hope the amendment will not be adopted.
MIR. UNDERWOOD, am afraid that the gentleman's
amendment will defeat the very object which he had in
ought TO be done, but do not believe they have
right now to do il; and If you qualify this resolution by
inserting this proviso. how will II stand in the legislation
of the country Ii will be much to say, unless
you make such qualification in all the laws hereafter
this administration may exceed the appropriations ed bi
fum So il seems TO me, the gentleman's amendment will
do the very thing which am opposed to- and which
he opposed TO. think the administration has
such power authority now and by the adoption of
~ ndotop