The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-04

/ Mr.. HUNTER. do not know Of any other case OF
custom-house having been destroyed But there
doubtless other cases which, IN the opinion Of their
friends. considered quite pressing and meriorous
as the one IN Portland, as The Senate will hnd that is
added 10 this bill.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee am inclined very much
10 in opinion with the honorable senator from In
diana Mr. PErrT in relation to this and all other sim
liar bills have not been here very long; but have
never been here session that did not have de-
hcency bill before us for consideration will not say
that they palpably in violation OF the constitution
but this much do say, that there great many items
in this bill which In violation OF the spirit and inte-
lion OF the constitution The constitution declares that
money shall be drawn from the treasury except BY
order OF law Now, there various items Of appr0pr
expended II may no, actually have been taken out OF
The treasury and paid TO the contractor agent but the
fact s palpable that the government owes the money.if
Iit has not been paid, and we placed in position
where we must either Tepudale the debt which would
be dshonor which no senator would consent TO Tor
oke or an b. 4.
violation OF The spirit OF the constitution TO say the least
of it. A
But that is not the only objection have TO this bill
There one OF 'hree things which think self
eviden first, that the departments which sent In their
estimates here were very inadequate to the perofsance
that The Congress OF the United States in the exercise of
that power which they have--a sort OF parsimonious
powen order to make political capital at home, re-
duced the estimates, and thereby forced upon the de-
parments the necessity OF expcnding money not appro
priaed by law; or thirdly, there il palpable violation
OF the spirit and intention Of the Constitution by the de-
partmenis Now, think my whole history here. short
as il Is will demonstrate thngand that is, that
have never been found wanting in the spirit of liberal
lny Ii have any sin 10 for, il is that OF profit
gacy both personal and general believe vote for al
most every appropriation that asked for, and am not
afraid 10 vote away The public money am willing 10
vote il whenever is necessary, has even the
blaDce OF necessity want every man, as will do my
self, 70 do il upon his own responsibility before the coun
yry am moi willing that any department Of this gov
eh ha liz pnuu ondth tnrn
upon me, without consulting me al all, without permit
Ting me 10 judge OF the matter, giving me only the alter
nai'vs to Pay the money OF Iepudiais and would pay
repudate single dollar But the departments now
force upon The alternative either to repudiae their
contracts pay their debts, without giving either
time or opportunity 10 consider the matter we must
this thing.
that this is the last deficiency bill that shall vote for
may vote for deficiencies OF character that could
not have been foreseen But the deficiencies this bill
running through every department OF the government,
salaries and Offices could have been foreseen and here
after do not think shall vote for any such bill Do
you not remember the close Of ,hs lag. sssson % Of Con-
mttee on Finance remembers il well, when the estimates
came here from the departments TO or the other branch
speak of the other braRch of Congress-those est
mates Tor the expenses OF the government cut down
TO the lowest point We know that fact. They were cut
down in order TO make political capital at home for the
next Congress- when they could raise the hue and cry
about the profgacy Of others, and point TO their votes
TO show that they were peculiarly the guardians OF the
ciences have been caused and you and called
upon 10 support and sustain in such spirit of wild
demagosuisn as that As tor myself, am tired OF it.
Make your estimates; make them large enough 10 the
first place; make them double If you please and
will for them. But do not cut down the estimates
below their proper amount for the expenses Of the gov
ernmen so that the departments may turn round at the
next session OF Congress, and say, here 10 deficiency;
you must pay else repudate the debts OF the govern
gress OF the United States think can. and ought
10 arrest IL, and there is no better time for doing 90 than
now.
The distinguished and honorable senator from Virginia
tMr. HUNTERl says that 1t has been the custom for
thirty forty years past have these deficiency bills
Now, this thing of age, and holding up terrorsm
us here, is an argument do not like am tired OF it.
THIS same argument was made here few weeks ago in
reference 10 the Missouri Compromise We told that
should no, touch that sacred thing because it was
more than thirty years old And now we are told we
should not arrest abus in the government because il
has been carried on for thirty or forty years Sir il be
abuse, let it. This is age OF progress
| do not man "young Amercanisnl'' progress, but
mean the progress OF reason and commea sense, and
proper responsibility Let every bear his own
sponsIbhly am willing TO bear mine. Make your es-
ma,es large enough TO coyef your expenditures and let
u.s. like men, up and vGie Tor tbsm shall vote for
this bill because i is Tor debts contracted; but hereafter
shall never vote for another general deficiency bill
Mr.. HAMLlN The gentleman from Tennessee Mr..
JoNEs tells that, while be has been here, be has al
ways found that deficiency bill has been reported at
here until the day OF his death, doubt no, he will find
annually deficiency bill reported and think the
casions which call for these deficiency bills have been
well sci forth by the chairman OF the Committee FL
nance [Mr. HUNTER There are always unforeseen
expenditures which required dufng the gear, and
which cannot be provided for in the annual general APP
preparation bills There expenditures which wise
and sound economy requires should be made, and which
made during the year, although they no, provided
for IN the annual appropriation bills. Now, the senator
from Tennessee himself says Tat may not he the fault
OF the officers OF the government but the fault OF another
class of individuals Yet he avows his purpose
hereafter TO vote for another deficiency BILL
ing the appropriated may be due 10 honest work.
individuals Who have entered into contracts with
the government, who have faithfully discharged their
contracts ard who have fairly and honestly earned their
money! and in consequences Of the which has been
taken by certain other individuals these appropriations
not TO be made 10 pay that class OF government
liabilities Now, such liabilities will always occur. and
such liabilities will always be paid,
But my object TO enter into the discussion OF
this maler-into the discussion OF the propriey oil this
deficiency BILL the circumstances and necessities which
require IT, But IL was my purpose to answer the decla
ration made by the senator from Indiana MIR PETTr1
by far too broad, and which feel may uninenton-
ally upon the par, Of that senator do injustice TO the
Secretary ol The Treasury He avows bis belief that the
expenditures TO be met by these appropriations or great
portion OF them, not only without law but IN direct
violation II law
Mr. PETIT certainly dd not intend to cas-, any
aspeFsons reflections upon the Secretary OF the Treas
ury spoke of the general policy OF the government
/ is well known that entertain the kindest feelings
towards the Secretary of the Treasury, and every other
{ ficer OF the administration.
Mr. HAMLlN | said such an Implication might be
drawn from what the honorable senator said. do not