The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-13
CONGRESS OF THE u. STATE

ISDIAg APPROPRIATION BILL.


APPROPRIATION
Mr.. STUART, / move to amend the amendment rs
amended by adding to II the following proyiso
P,os;ded, That portion of this amount shall be paid
aver 10 the superintendent of Indian affairs until he shall
count satisfactorily for the amount already drawn by him
al the appropriations and that hereafter than
III, hands unexpendssiat one and the same time.
Mr. PRATT If the senator win insert the word pres
ento before superintendent think there will be OBJ
lection to the amendment
Mr. WALKER That would make it objectionable
Mr. PRATT The senator from Michigan himself think
will sec the impropriey Of this amendment as it now
stands do not pretend to say, do believe that the
present superintendent has done anything wrong. But
ooibess that something has been done which Is wrong,
suppose that 10 be then the superintendent Will not
make his report at all and the result IS that no ppopra-
on is made for the support OF the Indians The govern
men will discharge this man, If he has done wrong, and
put some else in his places and yet your appropriation
Is avoided by the amendment of the senator from Mchi-
gan That amendment have said is predcated upon
thc supposition that he present superintendent has not
discharged his duty If that be he will not make his
report but will be turned out by the President and
body else be put in and yet under the proposed amend
ment the appropriation viii not go into effect.
Mr. STUART. see the difficulty which is apprehended
by the senator from Maryland, but wish to suggest TO
him that would hardly occur practically think there
Is very serious objection to the alteration which he has
suggested because think it might be regarded very prop
erly as being nridious against this officer That wish
10 avoid very carefully But suppose the worst state
things suppose this money cannot be satisfactorily
counted for by the superintendent it does not follow that
ia new officer appointed this appropriation would
therefore be suspended
Mr PRATT Certainly it would, under the amend
Mr. STUART In my opinion, it wonld not but if I
am mistaken in that twould be better to other
terms than those indicated by the senator from Maryland
think however that am not mistaken, and in that
think within the substantial meaning of the law the
amendment would be complied with That is my view
oft am not however, tenacious about words. only
v;sh IN avoid ythinp that will
against this officer 1t to that if to put
in the word present suggested by the SENATOR il
would ben direct imputation against him,
Mr COOPER think the senator from Michigan had
better put in the word present" 1t will not hurt his
amendment
Mr. STUART. If there be objection, | will consent
Mr. WELLER do not any necessity for the amend
of the from Michigan take it for granted
that if the appropriation be made the department will put
no money into the hands of the superintendent until
heha accounted for that which he has already received
Now in regard to the amount which has been paid
to the superintendent understand that the other appro-
ation was placed said to-day in the hands Of the
ueasnre and the superintendent was requested by his
Instructions to draw for sum not exceeding 100000
until be had already accounted for that which he had
ceyed Wherefore then the necessity Of this amendment
Cannot the whole object DC attained by faithful discharge
duy the part of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
he gives instructions and those instructions dso-
byed take il for granted that he viii remove the
SAINT officer Wherefore then the necessity of inserting this
amendment? Why proceed to do the very thing which
the Department of the Interior has already done and which
under the existing law the head of the department has full
authority TO do
Mr.. COOPER. The object of this amendment was sug-
gesed by myself and it suggested because the super
iniendent had two occasons-on certainly
sawn perhaps to-day $4,000 and tomorrow $4,000 or
$4,000 $4,000 more perhaps $4,000 Did he not
draw $4,000 at once? 1t to meet that very thing that
The amendment Is offered
M WELLER ! should take II that that a direct
violation Of his instructions, and if at the head OF
The department would not hesitate TO public Of
A who would disobey his instructions in that way No
body has attempted TO shield the superintendent of Indian
Affairs If he has acted improperly il he has violated the
Instructions of the department Let the department
him shall utter complaint; but there Is necessity
for the legislation proposed by the amendment
Nj. COOPER think there is.
Nr. STUART hardly think the suggestion OF the sen.
ator from California will answer in place of legislation
this officer any other misappropraes money, you may
remove the officer; but that, after ALL will not save ht
money The object of the legislation is to save the money
The addition suggested to by the senator from Penn
ylyania was that he shall not only not draw thar
$4,000 at time bu that he shall not have exceeding tina
amount in his hands at any time unexpended and
accounted for. That have put in my amendment,
TO make il perfectly clear This officer has been sug
gested TO me is only required 10 give bonds TO the
Of 100000; and il TO that the amount of money
in his hands unexpended should be within the limit of hi
bonds and submit that that should be matter of law
have admitted the amendment proposed by the senator
from Maryland to insert the word present inasmuch
he senator from California has objection. submit
hat does not answer the amendment say that the de
Fartment may regulate this BY instruction Whatever IL Il
proper 70 do ought to be done by law far as il be
done without hampcrnV the operations Of the govern
ment
Mr.. WELLER The senator did not understand INC,
hope agreeing 10 the insertion Of the word present
said nothing that subject and do not know how hs
oad draw the inference that in favor OF it should
unwilling TO put In that word because il would look
hough intended 10 mpeach the integrity Of the present
Incumbent and advise the department to remove him
am unwilling TO act in that way.
Mr. STUART ! should not myself have accepted tha
n'era,ion if had not understood the senator
ding that il ought to be made My opinion was tina
nsoald be reflection on the incumbent
NJ, eWlN. viii mention one fact in connexion will
mr question, which seems 70 make the amendment
useless An order has been issued from the Treasury De
rlmont recently requiring the disbursing officers in Cal
norma TO keep the whole Of the public money which they
n % disburse under appropriations made by Congress
WIN the sub-trcasurer At San Francisco, and they car
draw out only upon vouchers They cannot therefore
KY any Of the public money unless they furnish theii
gechers 70 the subireasurer and he pays their drafts
lne system has been entirely changed since the
Ahien have been alluded TO- The change has been madt
nn The present year. The Secretary OF the Treasury
a issued those instructions TO the assistant treasurer IN
oAnorna and he has received reply that that officer Il
psfed % carry out the system In future, therefore th'
guc money viii be disbursed in California precisely ~
TU pubhe funds dishursed In this city, at h,
ns@ury Of the United States In this way the money
m not 20 into the hands OF disbursing officer hereto
& op viii hc retained by the subtrcasurer, and paid
ss,i,p fouche Hence in my opinion there y no ne
Issy ior the auAd1ment Of the senator from Michigan
S Su The money win not be paid over directly TO til,
s.hg officer, but win be retained by the subreasurer
1T T pno ont upon vouchers ~ they presented
maiHs lhhSiDlNG OFFICER Does the senator from
fom Maryland
H. ~. STUART do not accept il unless il be agreed to
= ,ue Senators from California
n1NiN. have no objection 10 the amendment o.
~, e'or from Maryland to the amendment Of the soma
nh "a, tia haie If