Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-15
Government Expenditures.

| In the Senate, on Saturday, Mr.. johnson,
| of Tennessee, brought forward his resolution
that the President be instructed to request
the Heads ufthe Departments to prepare their
estimates for 1860 on n basis not exceeding
| S50. 100000 exclusive of the interest on the
public debt.
Before the vote was taken, Mr.. Trumbull
replied to Mr.. Davis. He thought that Con-
gress was the proper Judge Of what was re-
uuiste for the cOuntry-lf nine millions OF
dollars were sufficient for the army defence OF
this country in 1850, and seven millions for
the navy. it is enough now. Mr.. Douglas
said the desirablity of economy is undeniable,
but the only practicable question is how to
accomplish anything in the brief remainder
of this session. 1t appeared to him that the
best way is to trust to the Chairman of the
Committee of Finance Mr.. Hunter, to make
any retrenchmcnt that the public service will
permit. The Chairman has been some ten
! nr fifteen years at the head Of that Commit
tee, and knows every item and under what
law it is appropriated, and his vigilance is
such that no item ESCAPES his attention. Let
him say where reduction can be made, and
! by the next session we will have reports on
| which to act 1t seemed to him Mr.. Doug
/ las that rctrenchment may be made in more
than one department in the army, navy, and
post office, especially the last named. An
objection to Mr. OWNS proposal for com
mlttee composed Of the Chairmen of various
| committees is that as it would be composed
ofmen all of one political side, it would seem
! like q whitewashing committee.
Mr.. Gwin moved to refer the subject to q
| Snlaot nnmn,ittna ,nnp,Sa1 nr the thNlrmen
of the various committees.
Mr.. Hunter as chairman OF the Finance
Committee, objected. 1t was impossible for
him, as his time was wholly occupied in the
| Finance Committee.
Mr.. Turnbull, considet the Army and
! Navy ~ useless, and said he was in favor OF
reducing them 30 per cent.
Mr.. Wilson supported Mr.. Johnson's reso-
I luton, and hoped it would receive the sup
/ port of the Senate without IN amendment
! The Executive department had taken the
! lead i'll eXtrayagunt expenditures. lie did
! not agree with Mr.. Turnbull. that We needed
! II" army or navy, but it is certain that great
extravaganza exists in their management, es-
pccally in the dock yards.
Mr. Davis. defended the army and Navy,
and maintained that they were necessary Mt
or near their nraSont strength, Gentlemen
had no right to charge extravagance unless
prepared to lay their hand on specific acts.
Mr.. Chandler said ho was prepared TO lay
his hand not on Y on cxtravagance but crime.
lie read from the Navy list to show the inn
mense number of naval officers on shore, and
the few afloat. Ito also acclaimed against
the army ~ the gulf which swallows up the
! ,.v.nu, Mr. Davis raplied- Mr. lehman
Of Tenn. urged that the vote 10 taken Oh the
resolution.
Mr.. Iverson. rs ~ point of order, called for
the special order, namely the private calen-
Iar. Twenty men were ready to spring
from the floor 10 discuss the resolution, and
was it likely that resolution like this, in
closing the whole expenditure and policy Of
the administration would DE passed.
The senate. thcreupon took up the private
calendar and passed several private bills.