Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-27

had uot forgotten the circumstances under which
the Office was created. Mr.. JoSKs rcsumed:l
Mr. JOKES l am 10 favor of having this officer
pass the ordeal of the Senate; but | shall vote to
make the law prospective, and not retrospective.
have no reference to Mr.. WASHINGTON whatever Ii
Is not necessary upon this occasion for me to say
what would have been my course if had been con-
suited or had had anything to do with his appoint
nent; but | say that justice requires that when
laws passed-yes, sir. in all cases their effect
should be prospective and not retrospective; and It
is for this reason and this only that upon the pres
ent occasion shall vote 10 make this law prospec-
tive only in its effect. My course would be the
same no matter who was in the office; no matter
whether be were my political friend or opponent
whether nv personal friend or Adversary should
vote in the same manner.
Sir. reference has been made by the gentleman
from Illinois TMr. WENTWORTH particularly to the
Committee of Ways and Means, and to the power
which he thinks that committee can exercise. 1t is,
sir a position, as none know better than yourself
which the individual who addresses you never
desired But | think the gentleman has wholly
nlisconceved the powers and duties OF that COM
mittee If that committee should grasp all the
power of this House, perhaps they may bring their
recommendations here; but gentlemen should re-
member that although they may do this, something
more is necessary to their being passed. 1t that
cOIlulltJSe WOQll ISeN 10 us ltSillldlS
prescribed duties the members Of it, as such, will
be the mere drudges of this House What are these
duties2 TO originate measures for the action
OF this House? By no means, in my opinion
The great duties assigned to that committee, and
which they should perform with care and attention,
are to take the estimates for appropriations which
you send to them from the departments; TO look TO
the existing laws Of the country to mark the pro-
visions of existing treates to see what are the la
- 10Th
the estimates submitted and recommended are re-
CURED or necessary to meet, and comply with ex-
sting laws and obligations; and 10 report the facts
to the House. 1t is not the business of that cou-
nittee, in my opinion, to originate the great meas
ures--the plunderng schemes that are brought into
this House-but to conine themselves strictly TO
the duties prescribed in your rules: that OF report
ing the appropriations necessary TO meet existing
liabilities If they will do that they will have suf-
| fcient labor to perform.
The gentleman from Illinois said that that COM
mittee was eating up all other committees of this
| House So far as my experience goes, am lnclin-
ed TO think the reverse is the fact 1t is the other
| committees of this House that are breaking down
! the appropriation bills, by failing in TIE early part
of the session digest and prepare and report their
measures on the days appropriately belonging to
| them, aud bringing them here that we may have
time to deliberate upon and discuss them, and pass
not wait till the very close of the session to be pass
ed in an appropriation bill. II these things wee
considered early, and not crowded upon at the
| very last moment by way Of amendments to those
bills which necessary to be passed to meet the
exigencies Of the public service, we should see
very different state Of things here and these appro
| priaton bills would not be made to bear all thu
odium Of all the legislation Of Congress.
The business of the committee Of Ways ant
Means is to recommend approDratiOns--not TO
new measures, but to carry on those already in ex
istence-to defray the expenses for which the gov
eminent is liable. Take for instance, the recon-
mendation to increase the navy-and there is q re
commentator of that kind now before the Hous
to increase it to considerable extent by means G
steam propellers-I think that properly belongs T.
the committee on Naval Affairs; and if they this
there should be an increase, they should report
bill to that effect, and let Congress act upon it
When that has been done, when they shall have re
ported, and when Congress shall have determine
what the amount Of the increase Of the navy sha
be, then it will be for the department to estimate
and then for the committee of Ways and Means, i
the legitimate discharge of their duty, to repor
what appropriation is needed to carry out the lay
passed TO increase the navy And so with Tegar
TO the increase of the army. Let Congress deter
mine whether they will have this increase-thes
augmented expenditures Of the government
After some further debate, Mr.. BRECKENRIDG
moved to refer the bill to the Judiciary committee
but before the vote was taken on his motion tn
House adjourned until Monday, the 10Th, when
was expected that the debate would be resumed.