The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-03-01
scheming In Congress-The Contingent Fund
and book Appropriate

II might have been reasonably expected that
the House Of Representatives, resting under the
opprobrium which now unfortunately attaches to
that body, would have been careful to avoid fall
ing into deeper disgrace, until at least time had
thrown some little oblivion over the develope-
ments of the recent Investigating Committee;
but, strange TO say that reasonable expectation
has not been fulfilled. On the contrary, some
acts Of legislation have OF late passed through
the lower house OF Congress which 20 TO show
that majority Of that body are not only pre-
pared 10 brave public opinion but are lost to all
sense Of shame. These acts have been oversha.
dowed and temporarily lost sight Of in the midst
Of the exciting topics that have recently engaged
public attention; but our legislators in Washing
ton need not latter themselves that the public
eye is closed TO their delinquencies, the public
car deaf to the proofs thereof
Some three weeks siuce bill was introduced,
and after some discussion and opposition, passed.
in the House, giving the control of the contin-
gent fund of the two houses respectively TO the
Clerk OF the House and Secretary Of the Senate
At present and since the establishment of the
government, it is necessary for those officers 10
draw ON the Treasury for the various items that
come under the general head OF contingencies.
The aggregate OF these items is, for the House
alone, over half million Of dollars for the ses
zion. Remove the barrier which now exists to
the passage of illegal and improper accounts
that il the supervision Of the Comptroller
there is no check whatever TO the commission o.
frauds in regard TO the expenditure Of this large
amount And yet that is the very thing which
tho House has done. 1t would be hard TO
conceive what adequate motive any legislative
body could have for removing the restrictions
and safeguards which the constitution places
around The Treasury. But twofold motive did
actually exist-one, perhaps excusable the
other selfish corrupt and contemplate.
As TO the first motive the bill had partly its
origin in these faets:-Some two or three sessions
since bill was passed giving 30 per cent in
creased compensation 10 the clerks and other
officers Of both houses with a provision that
thereafter no extra compensation should BE-
allowed TO those who we're entitled 10 benefit
under the act. Notwithstanding this proviSo,
manner the usual extra compensation TO the
e0icers Of the House was voted in one Of the
appropriation bills at the close of last session,
TO be paid out Of the contingent fund. The
Comptroller in view Of the law, refused TO
sanction the payment Of this extra compensation.
This refusal has given rise TO the bill giving the
sole control oi the contingent fund 10 the Clerk
Of the House aud this motive Is OF itself a
sufficient objection TO The bill
But recent events have shown that there was
still another motive behind and underlying thi.
attempt 10 make the Clerk Of the HoAse and
Secretary of the Senate irresponsible disbursing
officers. To underAaDd il, another brief reference
must necessarily b. made 10 the events Of last
session. Early in that session a resolution was
introduced and passed directing the Clerk OF the
House TO supply each Of the new members with
the usual quantity Of books aud in oDe Of the