The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1856-03-27

ted to the sense of the House, whethe
such an appropriation should b
made, or what amount should be sup
piled for those purposes.
1t 10 not necessary, then, in M
opinion, that this subject should b,
sent to the Committee Of the Who'll,
on the state OF the Union. On tn,
contrary, ! believe such a referenc,
would produce an unnecessary alarm
which l am sure the honorable gen
tieman from Kentucky, (Mr. MAJ
SHALL, whom have been sccustomec
to regard as not nervous, but rather
Possessing the stern spirit of war
rior, would not be willing to encour,
age. Yet, if this house should adop,
his refersncs, for the reasons he offers
such would be the effect Of this unof.
tending message. ! hope, therefore
It will be sent to the Committee on
Military Affairs, because the matte,
presented to this House by the Presi.
dent--thc questions Of the propriety
Of efccting a more rapid change in
the kind of arms now in use, the sup
ply OF additional munitions, ammuni.
ton. and sccouterments, the increase
Of the forces at our armories and ar.
senals, and the kind Of changes to be
made in our arms-belOngs most
properly to that committee.
Having thus, M. Speaker, attempt
ed to show that the subject matter Of
this message should not be referred to
the Committee Of the Whole House
on the state Of the Union, and the
propriety ofreterring it to the Militia.
ry Committee, ! will briefly state the
reasons why, in my opinion, it should
not 60 to the Committee Of Ways
and Means. That committee, If |
understand its functions Alright, is con-
stituted to determine upon the rea-
sonableness Of estimates and propos.
ed expenditures made under existing
laws, and upon the ability of the
Treasury to meet them. Their func-
tons do not extend to new plans,
changes, or improvements in any but
the financial Department Of the Gov
srnment. Were their duties ss ex-
tensive as is contended by some gen.
every subject which requires
an expenditure Of money, constituting
nearly all the legislation Of Congress,
would devolve on that committee.
q resolution, a proposition,
or bill is presented which does not
contemplate come expenditure. Eve.
ry matter Of that character, whether
the naval or military SER
vice, the post office and post roads,
the public lands, railroads, Of pensions
would, according to this construction,
be thrown ON that committee. 1t
would almost be unnecessary to have
any other standing committee. The
very proposition to refer this matter
70 that committee has led to . long
iebate, in which it plainly sppears
hat, under the ideas OF the extensive
powers or duties Of that committee,
irrelevant subjects have been com.
nitted to them, upon which, when
inquired into, they could not act.
I'M not familiar with the history Of
hat committee in times past, and do
Tot feel disposed, If | had the informa-
ion, to look back, as some Of my
riends are disposed to do, with too
much veneratiOn to past preccdents,
n to dwell too long upon that which
las been left behind US in our career
II progress. belong to that class of
ncn who look forward rather than
In conclusion, Mr.. Speaker, have
70 wish but that this matter shall be
cferred to the proper committee
nd have only claimed its reference
D the committee Of which ! am chair.
aan because believed it the proper
lace for its consideration.
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