Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-26
Congressional Proceedines.


 Upon the Senate taking possession of their new chamber, the first discussion of importance was upon governmental expenditures. Previ- ous to this were the following proceedings: CREDENTIALS.
 Mir. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, presented the credentials of Hon. VIM. K. SEBASTIAN, chosen senator of the United States by the legislature of Arkansas, for the term of six years, from and after the 4th of March next; which were read and ordered to be placed on file.
 F After the presentation of a number of peti. tions and memorials which were appropriately referred, the following resolution was offered by
 MT. JOHNSON, of Tennessee I submit the following resolution and ask for its conside- ration at the present time:
 Resol0ea, That so much of the Presidents second annual message relates to & reduction of the expenditures of the government of the United States, which is in the following words. to-wit: < invite Congress to institute a rigid scrutiny to ascertain whether the expenses in all the departments cannot be still further reduced: and promise them all the aid in my power in pursuing the investigation" be referred to the ~N''i't'N" oh hlitiIIV, dHu bldG Sdi CDinl)llIIPc are hereby instructed, after first conferrng with, aud obtaining all "aid'' and information from the President and heads of the departments, as Indicated in the Presidents message, to report a bill reforming as far as possible all abuses in the application of the appropriations pade by Con- gress for the support of the various ie partmens. and which will reduce the expenditures to an honest, rigid, economical administration of the government.
 The question arose upon the reference of the resolution and elcited much debate MT. Hun ter and others were in favor of referring it to several committees-to the military committee, naval committee, post office committee and so on. Others were in favor of select commit tee. The debate was participated in by the mover of the resolution and by Messrs Hunter Gwin, Fessenden, Bisler, Toombs, Seward, Ma son, Collamer and others
 Mir, JOHNSON, of Arkansas. have no idea that 1t Is possible that any advance towards the object embraced in the resolution of the se- nator from Tennessee will ever be attained at all, if the amendment be adopted The con- | mltee on hnance has ever held the entire conf dence, not only of this body but of Congress- and of the country. They are proceeding, and will proceed to make recommendations of all | appropriations that may be necessary, whilst to another committee Is now to be assigned the task of reforming beneath their feet, and strik- ing out from under them the action which they are recommending. It may be said, however, that the committee on finance cannot attend tn this business and perfect scheme of reform at the present session. It isnot the less true. how | th,t +ha,- d., :. /, If they cannot succeed now, they may succeed hereafter The subject is kindred to those which ordinarily engage heir attention. That commlt:er consists If gentlemen who are se. eeted on account of their great knowledge in regard to the expenditures, the revenues, and the finances of the country. It isnow proposed to take this matter from their hands, aud to create select committee The consequence will be to cause conflict, and to defeat the end in view. This believe will be the result. do not think select committee can be appoint. ed to make war upon the present system of ex- | pcndItures under this government, when the committee on finance is left in position 10 maintain it. and call on the senate to make ap- populations for its necessities. 1 do not believe that select committee can make successful movement in ths direction, and know that it will not be possible for the finance committee to make thorough reform at the present session. ! Who ever heard of great reform in the his tory of any government, that was ever ac- Ic1mplished within the space of two months? ! If the resolution of the senator from Ten nessee shall be adopted do not expect that this subject will be reported upon and acted upon fully during the present session of Con gress. Reform is matter of years; 1t must take it's course; 1t must progress slowly and gra- duallv It cai never attain perfection by a quick growth. IL can oily attain it by taking the counsel of the wiSest and most matured minds, and those most familiar with the sub ject. If you were to force even the committee on finance to act finally at this session, they themselves could not do it justice. Take se- lect committee, unfamiliar with these matters, and compel them to act at this session. and they will necessarily come in conflict with the finance committee, and be placed at fault and entirely defeated in the whole object. 1 be- licve the movement made by the senator from Tennessee is strictly and legitimatey right; I believe 1t to be wise and prudent, and the only process by which reform can be attained through the action of th.s house and the other branch of Congress-.
 Yuu cannot have select committee without leaving off 1t those members who would inves- ti5a-e the subject if 1t were referred to the linauce committee; and in leaving them off you shut yourselves out from the most eminent abi- hty, according to tho opinion of the senate there iS here to meet and throttle the abuses in the system which they are contemplating and working upon every day. do not think the committee on finance should be required to abandon their egtimatc duties by malinga full report on the resolution at this session. They will have the benefit of very long vacation afterwards to consider all these matters; and. in obedience to their public duties should sup pose they would give this question very se- rlous and constant attention in the meantime.- l. is impossible to suppose that within two months we can accomplish a great reform in the expenditures and, may say, the abuses, which have grown up in the length of time that this government has been in existence. It is hope less to ina zine that within so brief a space of time, any great measure of reform can be pre- pared and passed through the ordeal of debate in the two houses of C5ngress But whv not commit the subject to that tribunal amongst ourselves that is familiar with if? Why not commit 1t to that which we know has the high est and most perfect experience on 1t? Why not commit 1t to those of our members whose minds are most devoted to the investigation of that class of questions? 1 trust it will not be taken away from the finance committee, where 1t seems to me, the confidence of the senate would at once conide all serious and ditficnt questions of this particular character For one, do not feel myself able to cast my vote for an amendment that shall take from that committee the power to discharge these duties, and throw them upon committee which will have to come forward with its recommendations with. out having had the legitimate confidence of the senate or without having been, think I may justly say. legtimately put forward to the task of reforming the finances of the govern- ment.
 Mr. Green. As 1 shall vote in favor of a select committee, and therefore sustain the