The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-18

unul Tue contrary shall De made appear presume
that they have not violated the law.
MI. BORLAND. The senator misundefssands my
position think. did not desire and did not suggest,
mat he should take such course as he now speaks OF
but inquired whether this money Is absolutely neces-
sary TO carry this work AT this time Tor when the
regular appropriation bills passed. We can then make
provision Tor IT, II this be such case OF emergency that
cannot wait if The funds which can be applied 10 this
purpose all exhausted and II is absolutely necessary,
10 what has been done, that this work should be
carried from this moment by this additional appropra
lion, them sir. think ought TO make H. But IN that
case surely this amount too great -Four hundred thou
sand dollars cannot be necessary TO carry on the work
between this time and the lime when The regular appo-
priaion be made and when the execution oil the work
be transferred by the incoming administration 10 other
hands The very fact that four hundred thousand dol
lars required deficiency, affords upon It's face IN my
estimation, evidence that the law has been Violated and
that contracts have been entered into, IN connexlon with
this contract which the law OF the last session positively
forbid.
Mr. COOPER (nierposing) did not give way for
The gentleman TO make speech, certainly
Mr. BoRLAND yielded the floor.
Mr. COOPER was not present, sir, when this dis
cussion commenced and am not aware OF the precise
character of the remarks which have been made deoga
tory to the character OF Mr.. Walter understand that
remarks rejecting upon his character have been made by
some senator's. think that The senators who have
made remarks rejecting upon the character of that gen
tleman can know but very little OF him.
Mr. BORLAND, tinterposing) Mr.. President, would
suggest 10 The senator from Pennsy vania before he pro-
ceeds to pass opinion upon what said by
here in relation to the architect he should at least know
what have said and he that he does not
know that
Mr. COOPER The senator from Pennsylvania will
be the Judge OF his of argument The sena
tor from Arkansas volunteers to instruct me in what he
relation to this subject Sir shall always Judge of what
is fitting Tor myself II enough for to hear that
the character OF this gentleman had been assailed TO in
duce to rise and enter my protest against what
may have been said because am that anything
deogaory TO his Misunderstanding either upon his in
tegy or upon his ability and skill as an arst-was I'M
deserved, That much felt bound to say at once And,
sir, Will say further Tor the information OF the Senate,
that the examination that has been in progress in relation to
the conduct OF Mr. Walter connected with the extension
OF the Capitol, has been conducted in his absence. He
has not been permitted TO know what charges have been
Mr.. cortland Will the senator allow me one
word' assure him that he is altogether mistaken in
this matter; for MIR. Walter has been before the commit
tee, and knows what are The charges against him. He
has been there day after day, and had every opportunity
TO know every statement made.
Mr.. COOPER. | have been informed by friend OF
Mr.. BORLAND 1t makes no difference frem whom
the gentleman received his information; what state is
the tact.
Mr.. COOPER. OF course what the senator says |
shall not deny. He undoubtedly present. if the
senator says But am told that at least he has had
no opportunity 10 answer the charges that have baen
made. was informed that he did not know who the
witnesses wee what the character of the charges
but the honorable senator states that he is acquainted
with the character OF the charges. will say this much,
sir-tha if he has opportunity 10 vindcae himself, he
will do il, and will do il SUCCESSFULLY for he has not
reached the time OF life that ne has attained, with the
character which he possesses to have bartered II away
so nsantaneously he must have done. am perfectly
that his character, earned by life not very
short is not 10 be sacrificed for the hope Of gain,
Tor any motive OF any kind. do not defend him be-
cause he lisa wing. do not know whether he is whg
democrat. | do not know what fate is TO await
him as connected with bis present office OF superntend
ent or architect do not for that But as he is
constituent OF mine, and one whom look upon deserv
ing, ieel II but Justice TO yindicate him.
MIR. UNDERWOOD. rise for the purpose of asking
the Senate not to into matter pending before the
mttee raised TO investigate frauds, because if this dis
cusson is TO be continued we shall get into these person
allies which may excite feeling, and will perhaps
ing the of the end of The session; and is per-
ecy manifest 10 me that il go into that shall do
nothing else. Now, in regard 10 Mr. Walter. and for the
purpose of trying to reconcile both Sides will that
the senator from Arkansas is right when he says that be
has been before the committee, and that he knows
of the charges. But the senator from Pennsylvania is
equally right when he states that charges have been
made since he before the committee and that he has
bad chance TO respond 10 them. Now. If we go into
questions OF this kind, involving everything which has
transped before The committee, every body must that
there end 10 il, and shall the remainder
Of the session in the investigation OF facts which have
been for weeks before that committee.
One remark more and l will take my seat | cannot
that any harm be done by making the appopria
ton proposed by the senator from Virginia III there is to
be change in the archtecta change has already been
effected by the dismissal OF the principal superintendent
Of the workout, if other changes take place. and
il individual is to come in superintendent oil the
building, the money will be necessary be used when
the changes take place. presume that whether you APP
proprate or fail TO appropriate the employees will con-
,aue in office until they dismissed, and their salaries
will go on until that time (; so that shall save nothing
by the refusal TO make the appropriation now. therefore
think SIR the appropriation will be prospective, and
these changes may be made in few weeks days,
that IT is really useless TO consume the time IN the DIS
cussion OF this question.
MI BORLAND. Mr. President, there is an explana-
ton particularly called for by the suggestion of the
tor from Kentucky, who has just his seat and is
this lie says that no harm come from making this
appropration-hat there can be no loss. That is the
very point which my proposition involves | say that
harm may result; and IN this way: The suggestions
made in the beginning in regard 10 the appropriation
were, that there is evidence, satisfactory 10 my own
mind at any rate, and apprehend that il satisfies the
mind of the senator from Kentucky, and OF every mem
Der OF The committee, that fraud has been perpe'raed
and is now in progress in carrying out fraudulent con-
tracts Such at any rate, is my opinion. believe
that these contracts have been made In violation OF law
and that part OF them fraudulent in their terms and
express purpose. apprehended, and suppose tina,
other explanation can be given, that had been called
upon to make this large appropriation of 100000 be-
cause these contracts cover large amount yet TO be
paid for.
Now, sir, suppose that we make the appropriation at
this time this amount OF S40o, 900 goes TO pay for
those very contracts 10 which object and which cay
fraudulent II will be too late afterwards to correct
the evil The contracts will have been paid for, and the
frauds contaminated My purpose is 10 ares, them
Some contracts may have been made in accordance with
the law. So far they may have been fairly and prop
eIy entered into, aud shall appear not TO be fraudulent
they be paid for hereafter, when there is an op
portuny investigate the charges, TO ascertain how
lar il is proper ha, they should be allowed and check
correct any fraudulent transactions which may be In
volvec in them That is the very purpose OF the amend
men--not. as have already said, TO discontinue the