The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-16
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. LETCHER,
on FIRGIslA,

On VIRGINIA,
In reply 70 Mr. sI.HOEs Of New York, government eI
penaiiures delivered in the House Of Representatives
August II, 1856
Mr Chairman there part Of the record Of this Con-
gress which has been made tonight BY the gentleman
from New York Mr. SENoksl and propose nov TO fur
nish my part Of thar record think il should be
Plete before this session closes Ny friend has entertained
with speech this evening which has been characterized
By more than his usual ingenuity BE has undertaken 70
deonsate that the government has grown extrGvagant
and prodga in m expenditures that they have bsen in
ereAking from year 10 year until they have become Ahso-
lutely fghtful in his estimation Now sir in order 10
make the record complete intend to show that my friend
and those who associated with him. much
surabe for the expenditures than any other gentlemen in
Congress The appropriations have been passed by their
votes, and upon them rests the responsibility.
The first specification M that the expenses Of the Judi
cAry in the States and Territories have within the last
three four years increased to amount almost ncred
ble The fact 80, sir The gentleman has told you the
truth He viii reooee that years ago when the present
bill regulating the ices Of marshals clerks and attorneys
introduced into this House opposed i passage upon
the ground that il removed all the restraints upon
sye expenditure that then existed and the necessary result
would be greatyncreased expenditure carry the
operations Of the federal courts That my prediction
then, and experience has proved its accuracy.
Mr.. SIMMONS Does the gentleman mean 10 say that |
introduced it
Mr. LETCHER do not; but the gentleman is now in
third year Of his service in this House and he has
yet set about the reform Of these Judiciary abuses He
ought 10 have given this subect the benefit of his
practice at earlier period and be had done So
would probably have been saved from his theories
night
How is IT In regard TO another item Of expenditure
CURED during the present session Of this House The
gentleman from New York has voted to pay every
who has here conteng the seat Of member in this
body II mistake not he has actually voted pay per
diem and mileage who did profess 10
here in accordance with law but here in
defiance OF all law, and claimed that he had obtained
ore than Mr. Whitfield but that Mr. Whit6eld him.
self had been duly and legally elected Mr.. Reeder
never claimed that be was fairly elected in contest with
Whitfield He claimed that he went before the peo
pie Of Kansas under any law whatever claimed that
he went there candidate his book and sitter
that election which was held just one week later in the
order Of time than the regular election he forward
and asked the House 10 oust Mr.. Whit6edno however
imagine with the idea that he coud raise eighty
eight men in this hall who would give him the seat
Whist idea be may have had In regard 70 getting the
money out Of the treasury If be chose to come here 10
spend the time in contest do not know do know
whether be has charged per diem up to the day that
Whitfield ousted. He certainly not here more
than onethird Of the time during the entire session and
talking about taking Of the public money be ought
ascerained whether be voting pay TO Reeder
for time than he spent in actual attendance On the
House
As it stands now what is the state Of the case? Ny
friend has actually voted pay him for the time be Eas
employed IN stumping the StAtes Of New York Illinois
and Indiana preaching resistance TO the laws Of The land
and raising general disturbance throughout The country
IN behalf OF free KAnsas II does considering
bis age and experience that his practice wretchedy bad
His theory, however would pass muster tolerAbly well
Lei me illustrate this case Suppose in the old settled
conservative State Of New York and IN the district which
friend represents here with much ability, some law
less dissatisfied politician week AFTER the regular cleo
bad been held aad content with the result should
Determine be . csndidAie and at election agreed
upon BY Dob should receive some thousands Of votes
and thea here coutss his right 10 his seat and
eightyeghi sOutbern should vote to put my friend
out and put the contestant in what woud be thought o
such OutrEge2 What i1yecvss would be not indulge
in against the southern slAvehOds-s And bow could Et
sustain ourselves At home and Justify or votes IN such
case to orr constueatsy Gould explain vote which
depleted the treasury 10 the extent OF $4,000 70 pay COZ
nestAnt under such circumstances Could with TIE
slightest justice set up claim 70 be considered econo-
mists
Let me try his practice on another point think my
friend from New York voted for AL the book resolutions
that be voted for printing onsous number Of the Kan
investigating committee reports thai be has been fol
printing extra number Of document that came
the way II not mistaken be voted for printing tb,
Japan expedition which be took fling or two tonight
IL4ughtu. Was il not sol he mods. fes, SIR, Il VA!
so BE frankly Acknowledges the tGreAt laughter
Let ds look A his practice again BE tells you that th
Of this government ought be hushanded that they
ought not to be wasted upon improper obecsi that W
rely duties imports and the proceeds OF th
sales of the public lands for the necessary means 70 keeT
The gOvsnment in operation An tins is excellent theory
yet strikes that be voted for every solitary bill do
mating land 70 railroads which has been passed a this
sion. Have voted my friend?
| Nr. SIMMONS ! do not know. voted for al though
proper: -
be viii look At the journal he win find that he voted 70
every rHlroad bin that hiss been introduc.d and therefor
be considered every emnsnty proper At this rate
seems be would deprive Of al the lands Ant
necessarily the government of from very considers
be amount Of It's revenue
He in the place tells you that the government hA
embarked in q general system Of building courtreons
custom houses and posofoes all the country; tha
il bad embarked in II for the purpose Of making fair dis
tribution Of the amongst the various Localities
throughout the Union Did the gentleman vote agAins
any Of them
Mr. SIMMONS Not agsfnst many Of tbeua Laugh
ter
| Nr LETCHER He voted for al tha, proposed
and fe entirely satisfied that he would have voted %
ousonhouses lAst year vtch proposed 10 Be built
various point ard he has voted for appropriations 70 en-
large every be voted build last year he votes
70 enlGrFe one Buffalo he voted 70 enlarge the
81 Chicago; be voted enlarge the Al Toledoi
voted 70 enlarge TIE one Cleveland Laughter s.
q The chief men in running them up 70 high figure
fact do not rscoect anything calling for exPenditur
4 of money that be has voted RgAinstl
Well sr l might 70 on ard enuDerAie great mani
other things that be has voted for tAke these items he
cause they Somewhat prominent and bring them
this way The attention Of the country that when tb
Congressional Globe shall be sent the people may
euabed 70 who II Is that makes complaints shout tb
srpenditures and yet votes away the peoples money
sustain Collins line Freneh-Fpoliaton bIs and thef
4 lands to build railroads
There ia bovsver another itsn of expenditure Hoy
many river and hsrbor hills has the gentleman from Nev
\ York veted for this session.
Mr. SIMMONS have not voted for ss many 90 woult
Mr.. LETCHER The gentleman il ready 70 vote 70
big SodusE and Little Sodusv for ENags Head an
every other place that may be named BE thinks that al
the little streams of the country should be widened AM
5eepened lido not know bow Il viii be, but would 10
he surprised Of river and hsrbor friends bsr