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

they have made their contracts within the Limitation oil
the law, with only the exception have named Tor
instance when it has been found that the appropriations
We're moi sufficient to make the buildings hre proof they
have submitted subsequently, 10 Congress the proprey OF
making appropriations 10 order 10 make these buildings
proof; and II Congress should til TO make such
appropriations, modification change would be made
IN the contracts; otherwise no change would be made
Now, few words In relation 10 the direct amendment
before the Senate. and Will not trouble them again in
relation to il. There are large number OF custom,
houses and marine hospitals in process OF consu lion IN
yaous sections OF the Union in various States IN the
valley OF the Mississippi and upon the Pacific slope
There is an appropriation bill now before the the House
OF Representatives for Increased appropriations TO ns
in 10 change the plan OF construction, II
il should be deemed advisable OF these various build
ings. Bat there 10 no case save this. IN my knowledge
when the entire structure has been enuely destroyed
by which the government has los lis accommodations
Tor its house. lis post oce and the United States
court This OF the house IN Portland.
Maine involves precisely the same expenditures out OF
the treasury Tor government accommodations that are re-
Quired in Californa-dierenl amount and degree,
grant you, but in principle precisely the sans Now II
there any good and substantial easoa why an esee 6
Other, why, lett be made felt "A duty which owe TO
my constituency that this standing, as believe
Does upon substantially the foundation with that
Of California. should meet the fate awarded TO that
In regard 10 Others standing upon different grounds
have nothing 10 say do not propose 10 submit them
10 this bill to ask Of the Senate upon them at
this time. for they of different class. But hope, il
appropriation for change site Tor the custom
house in California shall be deemed advisable 10 be
house in Maine will also be made otherwise shall not
ask IT.
Mr.. BROWN. concur in very much Of what has
been said by the honorable senator from Indiana Mr.
PETTTl and the honorable senator from Tennessee Mr.
JoNEsl in reference to this deficiency bill But am not
willing 70 20 far the senator from Indiana, and
abuses are growing up and multiplying in this govern
ment very true beyond all question in this system OF
passing large deficiency bills. Now, what is deficiency
bill Properly speaking il is bill for supplying neces-
sary Deficiencies ia appropriations already made which
deficiencies could mol have been foreseen when the og
nal appropriations estimated Tor and made Were
the bill confined to this, the amount appropriated IN
would necessarily be very small The administration
sends in its budget at the opening OF the session; is
published, and the whole country sees it Thus far the
responsibility OF the cabinet ministers Is liked. But
they underestimate the amount oil appropriations required
for the carrying out Of their schemes then the balance
OF the responsibility Of making up the deficiency is thrown
upon Congress- and The country not gwen TO under.
stand that the administration is expanding every year
three or four or five millions of dollars more than the
budget published TO the country shows they are expend-
cheney required by the necessities oil the country, shall
be willing to vote il But will not consent TO incorpo.
rate the bills called deficiency bills new schemes of
expenditure put in them large OF money which
nave been expended without the shadow of authority,
Mr., HUNTER. If the senator from Mississippi MI.
he will examine this bill he viii find nothing OF tha,
kind 4,
Mr.. BROWN, / think the very item before us-the
appropriation Tor the custom house Caornla-s not
deficiency According to The honorable senator's
count, sum OF money--$90O00 beeve-was paid
for lot upon which to erect this custom house, which
will not only be lost by the government, but 10
abandon the LOT SO purchased.
'u a's g fSGE Z ny our s o 81
now asked for to try your title to that lott No, sir;
according 10 the senator's own statement it is TO buy
other and entirely different lot either upon which to
This is an entirely new scheme, having earthly con-
nexlon with the Appropriation or purchase already made
You have purchased lot Tor 100000, ahd the senator
says You are going TO test your ue TO that lot But this
appropriation has no connexon with that What con-
nexon has this $3.50 900 with the appropriation OF 500 600
already made None at ALL and it is referred 10 now
only for the purpose OF excusng this new appropriation
caanot regard II as deficiency and yet, so far as this
bill is concerned, would soon vote for IN this bill
uss Of the country require it But dislike nsnomers
dislike putting things OF this kind IN places where they
do not properly belong.
Now, there is one objection which have 10 make 10
The amendment proposed by the Committee on Finance,
which, il not obviaed viii induce to vote against it
The Secretary Of the Treasury, by that amendment. i.to
be allowed 10 purchase building already erected To
tina, object most emphacally. And whyl Because
there probably will not be found in the city Of San Fran
cisco building for this purpose. am sure such will be
The case. You may buy building there and perhaps
cheap enough too but you cannot buy suitable for
the accommodation of the government officers there
Sappose you buy building there what will be the
much shorter tme-you will be called upon TO make
appropriation TO erect building, and the old
viii have TO be sold, and most likely al sacrifice.
Now, think the government ought 10 have custom
house there commensurate with the growth and prospect
~ OF the State. Purchase lot, and then make APP
pIopnallon Tor building suitable custom house upon 1t
after it bar been purchased But am not willing 10
give the Secretary OF the Treasury power 10 send out
there and purchase lot with building already erected
upon IL and which, in all probability, will in the
end 10 be entirely unsued for the purpose and while
you are buying buildings, You might well purchase
one IN Portland, in Louisville. in ST. Louis,
an New Orleans, and every other place where you
need custom house. Let the government, 60 on II
Is going and houses, rather than buy them,
until you build such The necessities OF the country
require, and make appropriations sufficient for that pur
pose repeat, cannot vote to allow the Secretary OF
the Treasury discretion 10 purchase buildings already
erected. But am willing to vote liberal appropriations
TO buy lots and build proper custom houses upon them
Let the government proceed TO purchase lot and
II II recover the old one il sell IL again, and the
iom-house can be IN process oil erection while the ga
ton IN reference 10 the old lot is going on.
Mf. HUN TER will ask 10 have this letter from the
secretary oil he Treasury read think Il will explain
the whole matter.
The letter was then read by the Clerk as follows:
Hsat TREASURY DEPARTMENT, March D. 1854
SrRi beg leave 70 bring the attention OF the Commit
Fiosnce the condition OF the cuso-house at San
Francisco.
The square bounded by Front Battery Washington and
Jackson streets. part OF the In San
Fancisco, selected by the collector, Thomas Butler
King, for custom house, and the title submitted tho dis
trct attorney who examined the same, and reported the
title perfect In the United States aud affected by
made by Capt Erasmus b. Reyes, behalf OF the United
STATES becaue OF The reservation contained in the lease for
snc surrender Of Whatever pam should be for gov
purposes The selection the site approved
by my predecessor, and the building OF the
contracted for and steps taken 70 m the square, and pile