The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1861-05-01
Contribution Of tho EonEederacy.
Restrictions upon Congress.


ton to the President which are unknown to
the constitution Of the United States, and
one Of which constitutes an anomalous Tea
ture in the structure Of American Govern
msBt. We come now to speak ofanother
novel iaread upapslhe. esui,s # isR isss;e1lx
lions, and That is the restriction laid upon
the representatives Of the people in the dis
posal ofthe public money. The 9th clause
Of the 9th section OF the 1st article reads AS
follows:
Congress shall appropriate no morey
from the Treasury excep, by vote OF two
thirds of both Houses. taken bv yeas and
nays, unless il be asked and estimate ed for hv
some one Of the Heads of Departments and
submitted to Congress by the President. or
tor the purpose Of paying its own expenses
and contingencies: or for the payment OF
claims against the Confederate States, the
justice Of which has been judicially declared
by a tribunal for the investigation OF claims
against the Government, which it is hereby
made the dnty ofCoagre.s to establish.
The fiscal concerns Of every nation whose
form OF government arproximates that Of
one having free institutions, are entrusted
Immediately to the direct representatives Of
the people. BY the Const of the
United States,a bare majority Of Congress
may make any appropriation Of money it
chooses; being limited in one case only and
that as to the length of time for which the
ia to extend; and that is ap,
for carrying on war. The
Montgomery Constitution permits the Con-
federate Congress Of itself, to make no ap-
preparation unless by a two-thirds vote Of
both Houses taken BY yeas and nays. But
il does permit the Congress to make appro-
priations Of money by simple majority Of
the Houses. IF 1t be asked and estimated for
by some one Of the Hsads Of Departments
and submitted to Congress by the President"
True, without two-thirds vote by yeas and
noys, the Montgomery Congress-, may pay
its ow" expenses and may pay claims against
the Confsderaey, provided they have been
judicially settled. These are trivial matters.
The Congress- Of the ConfeGeracy with the
exceptions named, can no: without two
thirds vote Of both Houses, disburse dollar
for any great national purpose that it may
think proper The result Of this system is,
that it gives to the President the absolute
control Of the treasury. He needs only
majority vote to carry appropriations for
such purposes as he may submit himself;
while, by his influence over his hangers on
and dependents in Congress, he may defeat
4 two-thirds vote for any appropriation he
does mot spproveof Money askrd and es.ii:.
mated foi by some one Of The Heads Of De
par'ments can not De appropriated, unless
submitted to Congress by the President"
Here is All alarming and dangerous power
given to the chief executive officer. There
? no example Of such power ever before
granted to one man over the treasury in any
rec government. Caesar said that with
'oldiers he could get money, and with money
he could get soldiers. The aim 10 the
structure Of all liberal governments, has con-
'tantly and industriouslv been, TO avoid il
every possible manner, the one man power.
md especially to keep rs far removed as
from the head Of the executive
department, all control over the treasury,
aud 70 place il under the power and di~po-
a Of ths representative elected directly by
The people. Such IL the geniu. and spirit
Of the Constitution Of the United States.
From ita wisdom in this respect, the Mont
gomery Solons have widely departed.
The Willy Vice President Of The Confedera-
~. NJ. Stephens, il a late Mandatory speech
u Savannah, gloriiying the new Constitu-
ton under which he holds his office. said:
'.Sons changes THAT i. Of the Constitution
Of the United states) / should have preferred
not to have heen-m.de. but these. perhaps
meet the corslial appreciation Of my audience
kc""of these Che continues) will no,
speak" Nc. Stephens did not speak Of Inc
deviation from The Constitu.
inn q Washington above Eo,iced, and We
that he stood appalled, tom hand
s,,o Il hAf.,ra his C.van..h ..4:....