The true Democrat., 1855-03-14

an overhowing treasury, with millions of dollars appropriated for the public service, the money does not reach the place where it is to be ex- pended until half the fiscal year expires. This is the case in my own State. It is great evil. and it ought to be remedied.
 The President It requires unanimous con- sent to consider the resolution now
 Mr. Cass I should like to hear it read.
 The Secretary accordingly read it.
 MT. Cass. I did not call for the reading of the resolution with any view to stop the pro- gress of the inquiry, but wish to ask the hon. orable Senator whether the money has been drawn from the Treasury?
 MT. JOHNSON. I do not know how that is l suppose 1t has not been drawn, or it would have reached the marshal.
 Mr. Cass. shall not oppose the resolution. l only wish to say that it is not well for us here to throw out imputations on the executive of- ficers. There is great difficulty in scattering money profusely all over the country. We all know that there are proper guards, explana- tlons and statements, which are required at the treasury. There may be an abuse; but 1t does not follow that there has been any great neglect or abuse, because payments have been delayed
 think that, until the facts are ascertained, it is not best to go on and make charges against any, body.
 Mir. Gwin. The honorable Senator from Michigan knows perfectly we'll that when ap- proprations are made, before a marshal. or any other disbursing officer, can get the money, re- quistions have to be issued here but those re- quisitons never get to the officers and they can- not draw the money. There is no authority given to them to draw the money to be expend- ed for the public service. They are not per. mitted to issue acquisitions, but the money is drawn, or drafts from the treasury department Mir. Cass. No man knows that better than do. l know that in the first instance after an appropriation IS made by Congress, no money goes from the treasury without a requsition from the proper department, and then war rant from the Secretary of the treasury on the Treasurer for the amount These certificates are not issued merely on the authority of the appropriation, but in many cases the department requires local information. Whether that has been received in this instance, or not do not know With the circumstances of this particu. lar case am not acquainted. 1 am perfectly aware of the fact that money cannot be drawn without acquisition. Drafts are authorized to be made by the disbursing agents but they can- not be paid until the regular treasury process is gone through with.
 Mir. JOHNSON. I know nothing about the local information of which the honorable Sena- tor speaks; but do know, that money has beed appropriated by Congress to defrav the ex- penses of the United States courts I know. in the next place, that 1t is customary for the mar shals to make estimates of what those expenses will be. and how much money they will require They are to furnish those estimates to the de- partment in time, so that the m oney can be transmitted to the place where the court is held at the proper period. In this case in 1S53 es- inmates were transmitted to the departments six months before the meeting of the court, and the money did not arrive until months after the court had met and adjourned. I am also aware of the fact, that in 1854 the estimates were sent here in September, in full time to enable the money to be sent there by the commencement ot the November term, but the funds have not yet been sent there.
 l know very well, sir, that the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of the Interior, does not take charge of these petty minor mat ters. They are left in the hands of subordin- ates, and those subordinates are the culpable persons. Gentlemen in both branches of Con- gress are required to be running constantly to the Departments to get information on such subjects. For my part, I am sick of doing so,
 
 here. 1 wish to announce, also, that unless some reasonable excuse or justification for such conduct be offered in my opinion, the off, cers guilty of it ought to be dismissed from the public service. I do not however, as the Sen ator from Michigan seemed to imply, wish to cast any imputation upon them now, because I do not know the reason for their conduct; only know that the money has not gone there, and hot 1ola Tor They may, however, be justifiable; but, if not, they should be promptly dismissed ask for the information for the benefit of the Senate with view to future legislation if legislation shall be deemed necessary; and l see no req son why the resolution should not be adopted
 Mr. Cass. shall, of course, vote for the re- solution, as it is resolution of inquiry but in addition to what 1 have already stated, I wish to say that something often depends on the state oft the accounts ofthe dsbursing officer These may, sometimes, be in such condition that the treasury department will not remit him any money until his accounts be settled. Delay of ten arises from that state of things. mention this as one of the incidental matters connected with the subject I know nothing at all about the circumstances of this case; but it does not follow, of course, because the money was not
 
 nere; that is all I have to say.
 Mir. Weller. MT President, in my judgment, this is proper subject of inquiry for the legis- lative department of the Government We have undertaken to make certain appropriations of the public money. We, alone have the power to decide whether money ought to be appropriated for the public service. It is the duty, as 1 understand, ofthe Executive depart ment to proceed to expend the money which we appropriate, in the manner in which 1t is d- rected by the legislative branch of the govern ment. Now, sir, cases have occurred, during the past year, where Congress made large and liberal appropriations ofpublc money for works of improvement in my own State, where the agents of the Executive department here utter ly failed, until more than half the fiscal year elapsed, to provide any portion of the money thus appropriated
 During the last session of Congress, upwards of S2oO,OOO was appropriated for the Indian de- partment in California; but an amendment was inserted II on that appropriation which required that ,I the existing superintendent should settle all ms accounts with the department before any poruon of that appropriation should be placed in