Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-05-29
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, May 81.
CENATE


Mr.. Seward gave notice that he would in
troduce resolution extending the session I'M
til Sune 2lst, to permit the business 10 be
done, especially with reference 10 the Home
stead bill and harbOr in provements.
The House bill extending the land laws 10
the East Cascade Mountains was passed
On the Homestead bill coming up as the
special order, Mr.. Clngman moved to post
pone its further consideration till January
next. Carried by 80 against 81,
Mr.. Johnson of Tennessee, having voted
aye, moved to reconsider, which motion comes
up tomorrow.
Mr.. Seward called up the bill for the i'm
provement of Sheboygan harbor.
MIR. Pugh OF Ohio offered an amendment,
embracing all the harbors for which approprl-
atoms are asked, amounting to 100000
Mr.. Bigler moved to strike out the appro-
priation of $ll0 for the improvement ot lied
River. This gave rise to heightened dis
cusson, pending which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House acted the amendments to
the Naval Appropriation Bill-non. concurred
in same, and then passed lilo against 70.
The House also passed the bill making an
appropriation of $4,OOO,OO0 for expenses of
collecting the revenue.
Mr.. Stanton Of Ohio reported from the
Tariff Investigating Committee. The report
was ordered to be printed, and the committee
discharged. Messrs. Moore aud Purviance
seyerally made minority reports.
Mr.. Purvianee coneurs fully with the re-
port of the Committee, excepting the part rel
alive to the action OF the House in releasing
Mr.. Wolcott. The majority say that If he
had not been released, the Committee would
have obtained additional evidence MIR. Pur-
Vance thinks not.
Mr.. Cavanaugh of Minnesota offered res
olution, which was adopted, directing the
Committee on Elections to inquire and report
as TO the right of Mr., Kngsbury to a seat a
delegate from that portion of the Territory of
Minnesota outside of the present Stale limits.
During the conversation thereupon, it APP
peared that a gentleman was here claiming to
be delegate from Dacotah. His Credentials
were referred to the Commmlttee on Elec-
| tons.
The Army bill was taken up.
MIR. Sherman of Ohio said this was the sec.
ond loan bill demanded by the administra-
ton this session. While he was willing to
take all proper measures to preserve the pub
| lie faith, he would not vote for this bill. 1t
should be accompanied by some radical mea-
| sure of reform. The expenditures tor this
fiscal year exceeded the revenue $37 DOC, 900,
| and for next year would exceed the revenue
| $43.000, 900, or over $S0,00O,O 600 In two
| years. The twenty millions of Treasury
| Notes, and the balance OF seventeen millions
in the Treasury in July last, are exhausted.
The financial result of the first two years
| of the administration would be an empty
treasury and permanent debt Of siSty-to
millions Instead of proposing means of re-
uenchment and reform, they demand loans
and treasury notes and defeat every effort Of
flo - 3 ba
He then in detail stated the expenses for
this year to be $83, 0OO;00O, and estimated
them tor next year at 1872 100000, and con-
trasted the expenses of the present and the
last administrations.
The expenses of President Pierces admin
istration were $50, 900, 900, more than the en-
| tire expenses OF the government prior to 1915,
exclusive of payments Oh the public debt.
| The first year OF the administration cost the
nation So, 900 900 more than the expenses of
! the government to the close of Jefferson's ad-
ministration, period of twenty years. AL
ready bills had been introduced appropriating
over 500 900 900, and other propositions are
| pressed upon us requiring many millions
more. While population has increased since
| 1890 seven fold, expenditures have increased
forty eight fold. From forty cents an inhabi-
tant is is now three dollars, or thirty dollars
for each family, and twenty three for each
voter.
When the comparison is carried into detail,
it is found that the great proportion of the
| increase is In contingencies, miscellaneous
| lncldentals, and by an army of useless Off
GERS. The miscellaneous expenses have arisen
since 1910, from two and half millions to
nineteen millions, covering a multitude of
! jobs aud contracts.
The Thirty Third Congress, famous for re-
pealing the Missouri Compromise, expended
over $4,000 900 for printing, or over $40 600
for each member. The expenses of the mill
tary establishment for this year are near $780,
100000. Under these circumstances, while
loan bills may be necessary to preserve the
public faith, they should be accompanied by
| proper measures of retrenchment and reform.
The House alone can apply the remedy, by
reducing the appropriations.
The Constitution has conferred upon the
House full power over the public purse, but
this power has been practically usurped by
the Executive, by transferring appropriations
made for one purpose 10 a different Zone, by
using money appropriated for one fiscal year
to another, and by contracts made in advance
OF appropriations, thus compelling the House
to sanctian a reckless expenditure or violate
the public faith. An earnest effort to prevent
them is met with opposition and denuncia-
ton by the friends OF the administration.
The House has long enough neglected its
constitutional powers. We ignore the prin-
ciple of "grievances before subsidies" and
vote money recklessly, and then do not look
after its expenditure.
Every violation of law by an executive
officer should be followed by Impeachment t or
bill of imdenity. When these reforms are
completed, loan bills will be no longer need
ed, and expenditures will be reduced to with
in the revenue.
He had no confidence that This House as
now composed would accomplish anything.
The power and influence OF the Executive
has been too recently felt. He hoped the'next
House would be opposed to the admnistra-
ton and that it will learn from the example
set by the last House how thankless task il
Is to yield to the urgent demands for money
by an administration. An opportunity will
then be offered to check the usurpations Of
the Executive and Senate end confne them
within Their Constitutional powers.
Mr.. Lstcher of Virginia was glad that the
public expenditures were attracting some de.
gree of attention, and that the gentleman
from Ohio had invited the scrutiny so much
demanded.
After further discussion between Mr.. Sher-
man and Mr.. Letcher, Mr.. Letter of Ohio.
interposing, said he would impeach the Pres
ldent under resolution in the Cincinnati
platform, declaring for retrenchment and the
extinction of the public debt.
Several amendments were made in the bill,
among them one approprlating 800 900 for
altering the present arms to breach. loading
ones, and another appropriating $l7O,5O0 to