Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-08
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

The SPEAKER stated the question before the
House TO be on the motion OF Mr.. ORR made
Yesterday TO reconsider the vote by which the
bill making appropriations for the civil and diplo.
matte expenses of the government for the year
ending June 30, 1855, was rejected.
Mr.. ORR said the action of the House, yester-
day, in rejecting the BILL the vote on which he
had moved TO reconsider, did not excite any great
surprise In his mind. He had no doubt that what
seemed 10 be an extraordinary vote was produced
by incorporating in the bill five or six hundred
thousand dollars for certain custom houses. He
was opposed TO those custom-h ouses himself
and nothing but the pressing necessity and ur-
gency for passing the bill induced him 10 support
u with the custom-house amendment. He did
not propose now 10 enter into any general debate.
II was time they should go to voting, and stop
speaking. The plan he had in view wns after
consultation with friends, to move Gf his motion
70 reconsider the vote by which the bill was re-
Jected should PREVAIL 10 reconsider the vote by
which the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading. II the latter motion should like
wise be carried, then some gentlemen who voted
for the customhousc amendment would he
trusted, be prevailed on 10 move TO reconsider the
vote by which II was concurred in.
Mr.. PRESTON inquired whether there was n
certainty that any gentleman could get the floor
for that purpose.
Mr.. ORR replied it was a privileged motion,
and could be made nj any time.
Mr.. CLINGMAN suggested whether II would
not be more desirable, il the motion 10 reconsider
the vote by which the bill was rejected should
prevail, TO recommt il 10 the Committee Of WAYS
and Means. who can put il into whatever shape
they may think proper.
Mr.. ORR was satisfied that if the majority OF
the House were willing TO pass the bill without
the custom-house appropriation in IL, the plan
which ne bad indicated would be the shortest
mode TO reach that result II was an important
bill. il II should not be passed. the wheels of
government must stop. Every civil and diplo-
matte ofhcer OF the government, from the Presi.
dent down, are dependent for their salaries, for
the next year, on the passage OF this BILL
Mr.. PRESTON said that IL the gentleman woujJ
halt al his motion 10 reconsider the vote bv which
the bill was rejected, he could pass Il; but IL he
should go beyond that the House would he in
volved in embarrassment. The custom.bonse
appropriation was the only thing which had given
credit 10 the bill The government has recon.
mended the appropriation, and the Senate and the
House have discussed il, clause by clause. and
the last named twice passed il by yeas and navs.
II three votes could be procured from the other
side OF the House, the bill could be passed as IL
was.
Mr. McMULLEN said there was strength
enough here 10 pass the civil aud diplomatic an.
preparation bill, but he would tell the gentleman
from Kentucky (Mr. PRRsToN) and The gentleman
from South Carolina, (Mr ORR,) that if an attempt
shall be made 10 clog this BILL as the deficiency
bill was cogged, he trusted there would be firm
ness and independence enough to defeat it, II