The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-04
CITY OF WASHINGTON. TUESDAY MORNING APRIL A. 1854

The purpose II asks be allowed 10 pay them and
we accordingly propose 10 give the authority do SO
Ihefe - no violation OF law the part OF the depart
inenl his claim must be provided for in way I;
% ana now IS J. to DC provided for Why in deficiency
bill Then there is an appropriation pay the expenses
OF the Cayose war in Oregon. .ss
| Mr.. PETIT. will say TO the senator that there
are, no doubt, number OF appropriations which are
original and proper appropriations. but the greater po
non OF this bill is TO up money which has already
| not sOi
Mr.. HUNTER. think not The senator will find,
II be Will examine H. that there very few in
which any money has been expended for which we are
asked to make appropriation here There have been OBJ
ligatiohs incurred in some cases for instance the ex
poralon OF the route across the unknown country be
tween The Mississippi and the Pacific ia the high northern
regions turned out 10 be expensive than Governor
Stevens supposed After he got involved in that country
me necessity OF the case required him 10 expeBd soe-
lhng more Than ne had, or 10 incur liabilities 10 greater
amount than the existing appropriation would authorize
There may be case OF that here and there but il
VIII be found that there are few such in this bill
and where they occur, they generally for small
amounts and in regard to expenses which could not have
been readily foreseen These are deficiencies which
must occur under any and every administration There
is no amount OF foresight experience which will ena-
bic an administration TO prevent the occurrence OF such
cases shall be told, perhaps, that they ought to es
mate 10 meet all these contingencies II thew did and
10 make the appropriations accordingly it would
swell The general appropriation bills nordnate bounds
1t lar better In order that may keep of
eve to be legitimate expenses that we should only ap
propnate as the necessity for expenditure proved TO
exist.
Now, sir, when we are making appropriations for the
next fiscal year. can perceive all the exgences which
will arise or the calls which may exist for public money!
IN order 10 meet the wants of the public service We
cannot We appropriate for all which will probably
arise all that foresee In the progress of the
fiscal year frequently turns that If little more had
been appropriated to one head could have performed
some important public service, and that there will be
saving OF money. as well general advantage to the
government TO appropriate it in deficiency bill to the
service OF that year, instead OF waiting for another year,
and postponlng the public work and the public service.
whatever may be ls character, until that succeeding
year In such deficiency bill is entirely proper
think, il the senator will look into the history OF our
past legislation he will find that there has scarcely been
year for the last forty when there have been two
appropriation bills passed every session 1t is true we
have had different names for them Before the alteration
OF the fiscal year, which think occurred some ten years
ago, changing it's commencement from January to July
one bill was passed very early. called temporary BILL to
meet the temporary emergencies; but then there
general bill passed afterwards When we changed the
fiscal year, throwing the appropriations far ahead we
had two bills The first the general bill providing
oI all the probabilities that we saw in existence The
contingencies which had not been oeseen but had been
developed ID the course OF the fiscal year. a
do not believe there il single case in this bill-jf
there is do not now recollect itin which propose to
appropriate money TO carry contracts which have been
made beyond authority given by law All the appropria-
tons, with very few exceptions are TO meet con-
tiagencies which were not foreseen, and which have
arisen IN the course OF the progress OF this fiscal
and being So II seems to me that is legitimate and
proper to make appropriations for them 1sa
SO much Tor the general objections to any deficiency
OIL. come now 10 the objection which has been sug-
gested by the senator from Wisconsin [Mr WAIxERl 10
this amendment OF the committee He seems 10 think
that this IS provision 10 meet the OF California
II provision as understand TO protect the govern
men against what we believe to be improper demands on
the paIt Of The State OF California II provision de-
s'gned 10 place the government in position in which it
can make provision for its public officers without being
forced to pay the sum which we believe 10 be unjusty
demanded by the State OF California to obtain perfect
title to this lot In order that may make provision
without yielding 10 this point. in regard which we are
not willing to yield, we propose 10 allow the Secretary
buy site elsewhere; that is the whole proposition
But The senator wants 10 know how II is that this
money expended upon this lot with an uncertain
title. IL was not expended unNl the former Attorney
General had given opinion pronouncing the title, ia
bis esimation 10 be goods but after the work was CON-
menced Il suggested that there doubts upon
and believe the presen, Attorney General thought there
was much doubt IN regard 10 make proper and
polite TO withhold any further expenditure of money upon
that lot The difficulty in the arises OF decision
made in Alabama that lands reclaimed from the from
rivers which had been covered by water belong the
State; and II is under that decision. believe that the
State OF California claims this lot Whether the claim
be nghliul or not do no. now pretend TO say believe
the weight of opnIoo Is against her; but still il is
thought that the title is sufficiently doubtful TO make il
improper aod mpoltc 10 with further ehditures
upon q until the matter is settled That is the whole
SO far, too, economy was concerned II was though,
TO be better to go with The completion of this building
than TO give these rentsfrom 900 TO aO
900 per annum II was believed this Gaze differed from
the other cases, Ibis appropriation not designed
merely TO hasten public work that necessary for
the public service but designed protect the United
States against improper demand and TO save TIE govern
men from losses which might occur II were 10 20 on
building upon this lot which perhaps might be re-
CURED 10 40 under the existing las pay damages
TO the contractor
Now in regard 10 the custom house in Maine: do not
10 dspuie the propety the necessity OF sppropr
ang the proposed amount for such purpose the proper
time But II seems 10 ma 10 stand upon very different
ground from hisappropriaon proposed by the committee
II stands upon the ground with any other demand
for custom. house elsewhere. oppose il because
know that agree TO this appropriation will have
10 agree TO others And II the amendment proposed BY
the Committee on Finance should be amended by adding an
appropriation for any other custom house. shall feel con
strained to against H. because believe from what has
happened already, that would endanser the bill in the
House OF Representatives. Why, sir all aware Of the
fact that did once defeat the deficiency bill in the other
house. and II only passed after separating il from all
considerations connected with these public buildings And
am unwilling TO add such propositions ibisso obnox-
ions TO the House OF REPRESENTATIVES whether that body
was reasonable unreasonable entertaining such obec
TONS desire TO provide tor the wants OF the govern
ment desire 10 provide for them quickly, because
Otherwise ib, deficiency bill wsuld be useless
the wants OF the government during the present fiscal
year And that account am disposed 10 put aside
all this coutroyered matter cannot perhaps demon
strae to the satisfaction OF the senator from Maine Mr. /
ion that the addition OF this custom house would defeat
the bill in the House of Representatives That is
ter OF judgmenl-a matter OF opinion. But ! have been
informed by those best acquainted with the temper of The
House OF Representatives that snch s their feeling and
il is in deierence to that opinion that have determined