Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-19

DEBATE IN TIE U. s. sxEArR--GkRREF DAvIs-In
the S. Senate the sth, Senator Hale, introduced
resolution TO investigate the condition of the Navy,
and the inner and mode OF procuring supplies, &C.
Mr. DAVIS (Ky.) saiJ, have been referred TO 30 re-
pestedly by the Sena from California, and others,
that feel it Lecesssry 10 say few words
have observed The extreme resiVentss OF the Sena-
tors about examinations being made INTO the acts OF
this Administration. They proper subjects of COM
m ,ut and while have O seat This H0or, and have
reason and voice. they shall be, to the exent of ms
ability and according 70 my judgment as Senator.
intend 10 do So the consequences be what thty may
Has il come to this, that great Government, or
ganized and instituted by the people, based upon iee
Constitution cannot be Investigated in its line Of policy
and administration without mourning vehement abuse
When this becomes the policy OF the mi nds CT the Ad
mpistratio9 their Liberty Is goae forever.
While there is life in me will never submit TO II.
The gentleman says il i'll becomes me to weaken the
confde CO OF the people in the Government There is
something st II more unbecoming than that l. Is
10 endeayvr TO scr from inv stgatcn those IN whom
the public opinion have lost confidence. The pure gold
Igses pohing by friction; il shiats the brighter Men
Who are conscienous scharge of their duty and
faithful - thar truss. have nothing to fear but court
investigation 1t has been my lot to be with mieorities
| dare do my duty in exposing malAdminis;ralion OF
the GOvernmrnt. l lave disciplined myself IN oppo-
ston.
When the old hero of the Hermitage was President
have heard the old lion o. the Hermitage roar, and am
not now 10 be frightened by the howlug of jackalls
m earnest and honest in expression OF my opinions
ask only the freedom of az American citiz,n TO inves
tga the administration OF my Government; the Ad-
mini frat on Of Abraham LrcOla well us James Bu-
caanan and Franklin Pierce. That right intend to
claim.
Mr.. Doottle raid if the Senator from Kentucky or
New Hampshire thnka there is any disposition TO screen
or cover up the ruh they are mistaken; there Is no
such purpose AL have said is that the attacks mace
upou the Administration by any member OF this body,
a. especially upon the Navy Department by the Chair
man OF the Naval Committee, is what most deeply de-
plere.
The Senator from Kentucky has heard the "Lion OF
the Hermitage" roar and donG think anything could
terrfy him. lie says that he was skilled IN opposition
70 the maadministr atiou Of President Jackson de OPP
poses eve ythng and prop nothing, sud from long
education this school he may have acquired the habit
OF finding fault and nothing else. l do not undertake
TO saT hatheTe have been no mistakes or frauds III the
administration Of the Government during this war.
Such state o! things never existed on the earth.
Wherever there has been an expenditure oil public
money there has always been more less OF fraud.
Where the carcass is, Inere The vuiiures ga her
Toe officers wh1 had the charge OF the immense ex-
peodiure we're at first uuaceusomed to Inc checks and
guards 10 p event frauis You wi fad, if you compare
our ,xpcrdtures with these of L gand, France and
Russia ia the Crmeau aud allan wars, thai the per
centge OF the money taken rauduenty from the Uni-
ted States il not great by hiiy PER cent as then, and
tho money tRkea since this war Is not as great as ut
other tines LOOK a. Tie FlOTlua WAT anu tne MeAicau
war and you will fnd the per centage OF money taken
fraudulenuy greater than unde ths IL Is lmpos-
sble to event soms fraudulent contracts from being
made by combination. These contractors are power
full body mer; they know how TO ecumvent and they
sometimes succeed.
You might as well stop fighting because the carrion
birds come on the field to condemn the Administers
ton because these punderng contractors manage some
times 20 get their hands into the treasury VIII go
far as any one to punish such oenses but at the same
lime re mus xpect that Of tue immense expendi
lures will be wrong. Sail must sustain the Govern
ment and 20 on spending and fighting until the Rebel
on Is subdued. do believe thai this Administra-
on has fraudulenty expended money, though it mag
have been frauduleUtly obssised from The treasury
n Mr. Davis ad-I think tat the Senator who pre-
ceded me said that the office OF 10y Al man 10 su
tain the Admins ration in the performance of its duty
support every just measure oil THIS A1mnlsuat on to
carr on the war 10 speedy and successful Issue, but
there il higher vein Of loyalty thai that Where
nator-Where any individual believes that he discovers
that tie Administration of the Government, in De-
partner. OF the Government aud especially in its Ek
ecutive Department is in conflict with the liberty OF
the people, &c higher preoganve of loyaJ to oppose
such aggression upon the Constitution than 10 to APP
prove It's measurCs where they right.
make my acknoEled gments TO the gehtlt Imam fOm
California for his iankness that be IS IN faV.r of Lee
investigation.
Mr. Oonness remarked that The gentleman, ia having
fan from glory to his present degradalo in havirg
one, heard the lion roar now complied to listen 10
&c bowling OF the jsckslls. 40 what base Go
we coms at last" IL could not be fairly deduoed from
ion that could shrink from any OF the facts
garding he proper administration OF tie Government
Nrss,nr op Gov RRAnFonD op MARyIANn Tho