The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-03

SPEECH OF MR.. LETCHER OF VIRGINIA.,

n. M 4,mv Appropriason BIZ daioued a< House Of Rep
resntai,ss, May n, 1858.
u CHAIRMAN am very glad that the question Of tho
hc expenditures has begun 10 attract degree Of
sntion in this House and tho only cause Of regret
have now in connection with the matter that my friend
from Ohio had walked up to the Importance of
The subject least early - last Congress- aud invited
me attention Of bis friends TO investigation which no
now seems to think is much demanded At that time
bsre was an opportunity to do somsthing practicable be-
Cause political parties in this House then nearly
balanced and they had at least, much powe had
and they could have introduced measures and pressed
them to adoption, aud thus brought about important
and valuable results. Bat, SIR, matter when qucs-
ton Of this sort up am always graticd to hear
IT. and trust although u y too late 70 operate upon the
expenditures already passed II will be In time to exert
mutary influence upon bills yet TO be aced upon by the
House Sir there arc many bills yet behind there va
aus river and haxbor bills yet to be brought for the
eation Of this House. and they now being launched
in the other end Of this Cspitol preparatory to their
iptrouctsn here which viii involve Large appropria
tions Of the public money II those bla shall become
Avs will bo necessary that the money shall be raised
70 uoct ths expenditure which Will be required by them
TRUST that when that time comes we may expect TO nd
NV friend from Ohio upon our side, resisting loan TO fur
nsh tho money which will be required to make these
river and harbor improvements, for which Of
friends on both sides of the House clamorous
If remember Alright the history Of past Congresses,
proposition was started which proposed to establish an
ocean telegraph line between this and foreign country
and It placed under tho control of that company two
vessels Of the United 6taa manned armed and equip
ned to be supported and furnhed for that service BY
he government and to be employed In aiding that pr
ate company in laying down the telegraph line for their
own profit aud emoluanent And, III mistake not, our
friends upon the other as " the House in favor Of
measure which prcposed to construct telegraph out
aide Of the ffnnftS' of the United States Now, my
friend from Ohio, MR. Ez1nxAs who has preferred the
charge Of extxasagancc, Gf my recollection Is not very
,,eatly at fault defended the and voted for it,
Mr. SHERMAN, of Ohio. 4 did vote for it.
mendcd BY any body at the other end Of tho avenue
We're the OF this called upon to
consider its Was the President Of the United States
asked for his opinion in regard toit Did he send any
appropriate money o. that they should withdraw those
national vessels from their legitimate scryice and put
hem under the control Of private company Nothing
Of that sort Then II IL originated here. with what pro-
ucty can the late President Of the United States and the
ts administration 10 azragned for encouraging profit
catc expenditure OF the public money e8
Mr. STANTON. How much money WAS appropriA-
ted
Mr. LErCHER % not know tho amount, but It
required vessels to be taken the vessels to bc manned
aud commanded II In the regular service to be fur
nlshed and supported and even there is complaint
uade against the present Secretary Of the Navy that he
has withheld vessel which was assigned 70 that ser
vice under the private company engaged in the constuc
ton Of this line. ss s. "a ss.t M ss5G
Then, sir there was another measure which had its
origin At the last session Of Congress for an increase Of the
pay Of the army Of the United States. How did my
friend from Ohio vote that subject Did no vote for
IN incrcasc Or against It ss
Mr, SHERMAN, Of Ohio The record will show
will say to tho gentleman frankly that do not rccolect
M. LENHER. Well, do not know, but think /
would aree 10 ventura something rirht handsome that
hs voe for that increase This then was another way
IN which the erpendituros were increased
Then sir. we had another proposition to commission
the chief ocer Of the army Of the United States as lieu
general aud thereby give him greatly increased
compensaon. How did my friend from Ohio vote upon
that, Was e not fave ~ ssr
Mr SHERMAN. Of Ohio think was not here at
the time INT II had bean would have voted .saye
would confer frat bapeft on General Scott or any other
u6oer who had reformed similar ssryices w. s,Ss
N IENHER i Al not complain Of INV friend 8 vote
An, THAT oounlan ~ him for H. that he should under
take to have other neoue executed for offences he has
been conmittirr hi,self
Tben IVA had nnother bill here TO increase the ef-
iencv of the NAVY think the gentleman from Ohio
voted for tat and he viii recolect that It was only yes
tdav that va had to appropriate to cover the
.xpenxes Of martial growing out Of that plan for
making the nayv stdciCi. Nj \,
Mr.. SHERMAN. ~ Ohio. II hope the gentleman from
oftbe House crarss tev Arc reGured on this side Of
tbs House ~ vcll as unon the other side,
hons bs M rr.ss n disiinctlv and often upon this
sio ~ thc Ho,sc that tav have not done their duty
and rru. th.,.. 81 - ~ a. f,,t,,ye --~s-.- a
Mr. fETT1ER. Nv business al present is with nv
friend from Ohio - take the chief sinner first
uanobter - c' -Tg
M SHERMAN II Ohio. I will answer tho gentle
man, nnsst;o., = ss not !. member ~ the Thirty.
mote the sn8ciencv ~ the navv. q
M TRn,HER L think & was passed during tho last
(ongresa 80
ssyxrA1 MxxnxR.. No NO.