Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-09
C.0mqrsssI0mal.
VHIRTY-FoURTH CONGRESS,
senate--Thursday, February 4, 1856.
FIRST SESSION.

senate--Thursday, February Z, 1856.
Mr. FOOT introduced a bill directing payment
10 George +. Marsh for judicial services rendered
by him, under the act OF the LIST Of August, lS4S
while minister residenv of the United States 10
the Ottoman Porte; which was read twice by lis
title.
No objection having been made, The bill was
considered and passed
This bill gives TO Mr. Marsh the sum OF one
thousand dollars per annum for his judicial in adj
dition 10 his diplomatic, services, during the period
of his mission 10 the Ottoman Porte
Mr. CLAY Introduced bill 10 relieve the Com
missioner OF Pensions from the performance OF
certain clerical duties
Mr.. CLAY urged the necessity Of the prompt
passage Of the bill, as the signing of from some
four or five hundred certificates and land war
rants a day greatly interfercd with the more I'M
portant duties of that officer, and promising if II
gave rise 10 any debate 10 withdraw the motion.
No objection having been made the bill was
read third time and passed.
This bill simply authorizes the Commissioner
of Pensions, under the approval of the Secretary
of the Interior 10 appoint person TO sign the
name OF the Commissioner 10 certificates and
warrants and making such signature valid.
MIR. BAYARD introduced bill 10 provide for
the public printing, engraving, and binding,
Mr.. CASS submitted the following resolution,
which was read:
Rrsolged, That the Committee on Naval Affairs
be instructed 10 inquire into the expectancy of in
creasing the navy of the United States.
Mr. c. said he would not call for it's consIdera
ton at present.
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILLS.
On motion by Mr.. HUNTER the Senate pro-
ceeded 10 The consideration OF the following report
of the Committee on Finance:
Resolued That the Committee on Finance be
instructed 10 prepare and report such OF the gene
raj appropriation bills they may deem expe-
dent.
Mr. SEWARD rose and addressed the Senate
ding hat ac Spl
ton of The Committee on Finance innova-
ton upon the long established practice Of the Go
verement and he went into the reasons that
actuated the trainers OF the Constitution In insert
ing provision that all bills for raising revenue
should originate in the popular branch. Small
States were equal in the Senate and large States
Nsnperior in the House, which might be considered
as compromise, which he heldwould be disturbed
frhe resolution was adopted. While he admitted
that the Constitution did not in express terms
prohibit the preparation of general appropriation
bills by the Senate, still he thought that as the
other branch had always exercised that power,
with The sanction Of the Senate. the spirit of the
instrument al ieast required the course that had
hitherto been pursued. The establishment of the
two Houses Of Congress was for the purpose of
dividing the powers Of Government and imposing
proper checks and balances. He hoped there
fore, that such Innovation would mol be made upon
the congratulated usage OF the Government.
Mr. HUNTER defended the report of the Com
miltee on Finance with zeal, contendng that there
was no very marked difference between the bills
that were almost daily originated in the Senate
and the general appropriation bills. Had they not
an hour or so since passed bill for the relief Of
George p, Marsh, appropriaiing money from the
treasury for his relief; and if that could be done,
why moi general appropriation bill! Ii the Sen
ate had power 10 originate and pass pension bill
for the relief Of single individual, why could il
not originate and pass general appropriation bill
for the relief of all pensioners If they could
ioiu fr "A "A
house and post office for Georgetown, in this Dis
trict, why could they not originate civil and
diplomatic appropriation bill, which sometimes
established many custom housesT IL they could
originate and pass bill for the relief of the suf
ferers by French spoilations, why could they not
originate bills involving far less amounts? He
insisted that if this power denied 10 the Sen
ate more than half its usefulness would be lost
and its efficiency much impaired. The whole OBJ
ject of the committee in the matter was TO relieve
the other brapch by division of the labor and
give each branch more lime for examination and
rged scrutiny ofihe public expenditures.
Mr.. TOOMBS sustained the report, adverting
10 the little scrutiny which bills involving enor-
nous amounts of money usually received from
want Of time, and said that in one case the navy
appropriation BILL involving eight millions of dol
lars, had TO be passed by the Senate without even
reading. because there was not time allowed.
The debate continued by Messrs. SUM
NER and WILSON, sustaining the positions as.
sumed by Mr.. SEWARD against the report, and by
by Mr.. TOUCY, defending il when the question
was taken, and the report was agreed 10.
And the Senate adjourned 10 Monday.