The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-20

been perfectly vain and futile.
LET me come back to case that will illustrate the mis-.
chiefs both from the construction OF the surplus. fund
clause aad from the power OF transfer, il is now
claimed There was case from Florida OF the steamer
Waterman. bill was rendered for service in 1885 aud
1886. The Third Auditor reported the case in 1850,
There nothing to pay the claim in the that il
was allowed except BY using old appropriation, which
ought 10 have passed TO the surplus fund and then by
transferring II TO different object from that which
originally designed There old appropriation for
the payment OF Florida militia men in 1899 and 40 I'm
der tue act OF 1870 no such transfer could be made
within two years from the date OF appropriation. and
csrdngy this wentythird section Of the Of 1912
involved Tor the purpose. The Secretary Of War drew
transfer warrant upon this old appropriation, made in
ls39-4o Transferring il TO another head, and paying the
Clam oil S2i75o,a claim which, believe will not
live days. You observe that il this appropriation,
which was made in lS39-40. had gone 10 the surplus
fund as ought to have gone they could not have used
case OF the transfer OF that appropriation, and found
there two opinions in regard TO the power TO make
such a transler-one in which the Secretary OF War
showed, as think, that the power did not exist and
the other, in which the Attorney General said il did
The Secretary OF War said however, that he felt bound
to defer to the opinion Of the Attorney General
Well, what Is 10 be the result OF all this In the first
place, every old appropriation which has been carried
10 the surplus fund constitutes of strong tempa
lion to the clerks to sell their knowledge persons who
work for such claims and every facility is afforded to
easy and plant to corrupt public officers should such
exist, 10 allow these claims, and pay them in mode
which would scarcely attract public observation
"
fund and transfer warrants. How is it in the power OF
Congress to limit the expenses Of what use are spe
cihc appropriations We make specific appropriation
that we may spend so much under such head, and yet
i turns out that il s no limitation at all for the depart
ments go to some old appropriation which has not been
10 the surplus fund.- and transferring it under the
act OF lS42 they thus swell the amount far beyond what
dreamed of when the old appropriation made AL
low me to illustrate this The appropriations, actually
par,ment as far as ascertain them from the
House documents, amounted TO S3.9l5.92. Now,
by statement obtained from the Registers office, as
to the whole sum expended under appropriations, and
$d06l 292 but the amount actually expended, according
TO General Jesupss statement was $3,2s6li2. So that
the year 1851, and expended actually So 2s6,l24 This
amount was composed OF Mexican contributions, OF ap-
preparations made for that year. of balances Of old APP
propations and of transfers to the amount OF $730000
Let US see where some OF these transfers came from
One OF them came from an appropriation tor paying the
regular troops, made the 18th OF March, lsi7 amounting
10 $3.50 000-an appropriation which ought long since
have gone to the surplus fund Another is that Of
appropriation made for extra pay in August lS4s, OF
$3.50 900, which was transferred also, making in all of
these old appropriations $53o,O0O These transfers
made in April. 1851.
| Sir, how can Congress limit expenses by limiting
the appropriations, while the departments thus al
i,buum7
Thus we see that in every way we are mystfed. and
that il is impossible 10 restrict expenditures by specific
appropriations, we neither know what is wanting nor
how much already applicable to the particular service
under old appropriations.
Now. | do not charge this on the administration as
having been designed. | say that these abuses have
been accommodating some for eight years past and some
within the last four years The present construction Of
the act of s42 and the practice of transfer under 1T,
originated believe, under the present administration.
In relation TO the abuses, what believe to be abuses,
as 10 the surplus fund, the administration is respon
slole. not for originating, but containing them Certain
that these practices ought either TO be abandoned
we should give up the system of specific appropriations
The two cannot eoexst without manifest contradiction
know that they excuse it by saying when appro-
prialon made for object which is completed it
is useless TO pay money into the surplus fund which has
not been expended within two years, because IT may be
required 10 satisfy existing contracts But how easy
would be, alter the expiration OF that period. 10 pass
to the surplus fund, and then get il appropriated
What. sir, was the object OF the provisions The At
orney General, Mr.. BERRIEs, said that object
TO enable the government 10 have It's at Its dspo
sal. But there another and important object
which was 10 create periodical rests and balances, SO
to enable the government 10 know the true Stale OF It's
know how lar certain objects already
provided for by existing appropriations, and how far
appropriations would be necessary 10 short sr such
compsh the offsets proposed by the mode OF specific
appropriations.
Now sir word or two in relation TO the present est.
mate for deficiencies in the Quarermaser's department
II were TO express an opinion IN regard to those esti
mates and the real de6clency-and do not believe that
any man speak OF the amount OF the deficiency with
anything like certainly should say that the estimate is
under what will be wanted. find when come 10
add what is estimated for deficiencies to what is already
appropriated LOT tnat sum Is
5000 900 less than expended last year. know. too
that there many unsettled accounts that remain 10 be
adjusted but do not know what they will disclose.
think II probable however. that they will disclose still
greater deficiencies and under these circumstances,
think IL only proper, but necessary that should
appropriate the which is asked for these objects
wish, sir, could believe that the amount estimated
would pay all demands under the present deficiency bill
II that so, | should be glad to pass these esii-
mates, and take receipt in full But however that may
be- there is thing TO which think Congress should
turn it's attention, and that Is, to the adoption OF such
laws will enforce strict and prompt accountability OF
the departments The Executive, too, should take such
steps, and call upon If necessary TO pass the measures
proper for adapting system OF military administration
TO the circumstances OF the country in which Il Is TO be
applied. 1 think. too, that strict accountability and
obedience orders ought to be exaced from officers
and agents who acting at distance IRON the seat OF
government
Sir this thing OF officers undertaking TO pledge the
credit OF the government, and TO incur large expenses
without authority, is a matter which II seems TO
should be proppty put stop TO. But these affairs
which more properly belong to the senator from Illinois,
the chairman OF the Committee on Military Affairs, and
10 the senator from California az chairman OF the Com
mtee Naval Affairs. These are matters OF reform
they grave enough demand their attention, and that
OF the Executive too. regret sir, that have had TO
trespass long upon the time OF the Senate IN making
these remarks but thought that il would facilitate the
progress OF the bill II did ! felt IL due TO myself,
because advocate the passage OF the deficiency bill
and because OF my friends think that II sanction
ing spirit OF extravaganza 10 do wished to place
the matter upon the true ground and TO defend myself
against all such mpuistlons.
had another reason II was my duty to make an ex-
hb OF the OF the treasury relation to these
fara In nd a and aS Will