The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-20

-------~-~--~~~-~~~~-~~
important business by that time. shall vote for The
amendment OF the senator from Virginia.
But. Mr. President, think there is consdera-
uon-and II seems 10 be the main brought forward
here against an early adjournment has very little
Appropriation bills. la view OF what has been the acuon
OF this government within the last year especally--l
speak oi the executive governmental do, in all con-
science, believe That is matter OF comparatively e
Importance whether we pass the appropriation bills or
not in advance for the public service. The senator from
Virginia, lhr HUNTER, as chairman OF The COMMITTEE
ON Finance, this morning reported the deficiency blii
which yesterday came back from The House which bill
proves clearly and concusyey, that whether we pass
The appropriation bills or not, or whether we put items
in them not OF particular character the Executive
hnds no difculfy IN carrying on the government II ~
be lawful if it be right for that department OF the gov
ernmen to contract obligations incur expenses, and use
hepubic funds in the administration OF the government
without appropriation by law. then all this anxiety
and soictude which senators manifest the subject o
the appropriation bills has, my opinion, very little
with the merits OF the question. Suppose we pass an
appropriation b-suppose, in discretion, apprtr
pirate only half much the executive department OF
the government said would be necessary does that make
any difference as to the amount Suppose we leave out
three hye en or twenty Millions from the hfty or sixty
millions per annum which suppose we shall have 10
use Tor the expenses OF the government under this admin
straon will thai lessen the expenses OF the government
II we may judge from the past, it will serve but as a
simulant to expend more do not know but il we were
TO leave TO the discretion OF The Executive altogether,
that we should gain something for the public interest
for when last year, we refused an appropriation asked
for BY the Executive that department in disregard O. our
REFUSAL went and not only expended what we refused
but made the amount little larger, II am capable OF
making the calculation.
Mr.. SEWARD shall vote for the amendment pro-
posed by the senator from Virginia. because satisfied
that il is the duty of the Senate TO cooperate with the
House IN bringing this session to close within reason
able time have never known legislative body with
which have had any connexien 10 adjourn IN any other
way than by proroguing power elsewhere or by Teso
luton similar TO this. have known any dehb-
erave body that adjourned itself in any other way than
a IN ma
sent TO the other to meet its appreciation, fixing day in
advance at which time it was supposed upon consulta-
oh, nat pom would probably ge through me business
before them can see very well that we shall not be
prepared TO adjourn the day named by the House of
Representatives, conceive that il refuse to act upon
the resolution from the House OF Representatives, they
may understand that we do not concur with them and
may not therefore take up the appropriation bills ia
good season as they might otherwise do. But we ex-
tend the time fortnight and give them notice now,
il they act as they have always acted, and all legis
a,ive bodies with which have had any acquaintance
have acted, they will then address themselves 10 the
business that devolyes upon them The amendment of
the senator from Virginia strikes being reasonable
and practicable, and am shall never adjourn in
any other way than by the passage OF such resolution
Mr. MILLER. have been member OF this body about
ten years, and al the end Of every long session of Con-
gress during that time have had the difficulty in
fixing the time OF adjournment II gentlemen will turn
their attention 10 the debates which took place whenever
resolution OF this kind from the House, they will
find that what has been said Today is nothing than
repetition OF what has been said beforeihe difficulty of
getting through the business al the time fixed by the
House; and yet experience has shown that never
commence really TO wake up the business of the nation
until The House desgna'es the time OF adjournment When
the period is once fixed, 90 to work knowing the time
have and the business likely before Us, and
prepare ourselves 10 adjourn al the time fixed By the two
houses.
With regard to the general appropriation bills, think
there difficulties suggested here than actually
exist The principal and most important matters contain
ed In those bills are national matter We all understand
generally what they ought 10 be and it is not necessary
for the body to wait until the House sends them TO us for
the purpose OF calling attention TO them All these
matters are thought OF by honorable senator's They
know generally the nature OF the appropriation bills and
are prepared 10 act upon them when they come. The
respective committees Of the Senate have already consd
cred, have doubt many of the important matters
tanned in those bills When they have come here the
difficulty has not been with regard 10 the important
tiers contained IN them Tor want OF proper investigations
but on account OF some acous opposition frequently made
TO certain appropriations. Now, that opposition will be
made, no matter how far distant sou may fix the day.
II you fix as the day the st OF October, you will find
the cnlly when the time arrives also understand
ha, the other Houseis prepared and intend 10 take
up Immediately the appropriation bills. They have al.
ready changed their hour OF meeting from twelve 10
eleven o'clock, and have no doubt that the appropTa
ton bills will be taken up and acted upon by that body
or about the LIST OF August think might get through
the business at the time fixed by the House. but for fear
there may be difficulty in that, willing 10 vote
for the amendment OF the senator from Virginia
Mr. DAWSON | do not Intend TO make speech
upon the sabieel, but merely 70 state the reasons why
shall for the original resolution Ii is said by every
senator that we anxious 10 adjourn, and such be-
eye be the feeling OF all Ii is stated by the senator
from Illinois that adjourn within ten days after
the reception OF the appropriation bills, and that do
not adjourn the fault will be with the House OF Repre-
sentatyes. The House OF Representatives have an.
nounced 10 by resolution that they will be ready to
adourn on the 10th OF August Are they not the best
judges OF Their power and capacity TO discharge the
duty incumbent on them And going TO give an
excuse for the extension OF this session oil Congress by
adding fifteen sixteen days TO the session, thereby
changing the before the public from the House
the Senate My own judgment is, that The House of
Representatives will send the whole OF these bills al
least by the 4h 5h of next month, especially they
have said and that take up the whole OF the
and carry them through and be prepared to ad
journ at the time designated What is 10 prevent US
II not known TO every senator who has been here du
ring the sessions limited by the constitution 10 ninety
days that business transacted prior TO the lst day Of
January ensuing meeting and that scarcely is
appropriation bill reported TO the House oil Represent
aves before the LIST OF February And yet we always
adjourn the 4h OF March, required by the const
tuton. What, now, is the object oil this mitationi To
place upon the same necessity in the long session.
which have prolonged for nine months, as the const
tuition places upon for short session We shall then
act more and talk less and debate measure that is
not desirable 10 pass.
therefore shall vote against the amendment OF the
senator from Virginia; and say 10 him, in doing
that have great confidence in his Judgment; but he
ought not to seek TO be the judge OF the House OF Repre-
sentavesi he ought not TO take Il upon himself to say
that the House OF Representatives VIII not do what they
have proposed to do They have said that they will be
ready 10 adjourn the 10Th of August Let pass the
resolution. II there should be any failure by con-
curing in il, and should be driven TO the inevitable
necessity oil passing another resolution extending the
lime OF the adjournment the fault will not be ours but
will be that OF the House OF Representatives.