Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-08-02
REMARKS OF
HON. W. A, WALLACE,
RIVER AND HARBOR BILL

--0N THE
RIVER AND HARBOR BILL,
0i ifnHi I'm THE
U. .. SENATE, July Is, 1916.
The Senate, as in Committee of the
Whole, resumed the consideration Of
the bill (H. II. No. 3O22) making ap-
preparations for the construction, re-
pair, preservation, and completion of
certain public works on rivers and
harbors, and for other purposes.
The President pro tempore. The ques-
ton is on the motion of the Senator
from Ohio Mr.. Thurman] to recon-
nit the bill TO the Committe on Ap-
! preparations with instructions to re.
duce the aggregate amount OF the ap-
preparations contained in the bill to q
sum not exceeding s4,0O0,00O.
Mr.. Wallace. Mr.. President, the
pending motion is one TO recommlt
with instructions to reduce the total
to four millions. shall support this
motion of the Senator from Ohio main.
| ly because of the instructions it con-
tains. regard this bill in its present
proportions as monstrosity, as il has
already been characterized on the floor
of the Senate, and | will take any par
lamentary means in my power 10 re-
ducc its proportions. The first Of those,
IL seems TO me, is TO send it TO the
proper committee in order that they
may endeavor there to bring it down
to what it ought TO be. Following
that, if that shall not prevail, comes
the motion of the Senator from Yer
mont, which is TO strike out all after
the enacting clause and insert pro
vision by which there is to be appro-
priated s4,0O0,000 for rivers and har-
bors, which are to be expended under
the direction of the Secretary of War.
To such proposition | cannot agree.
1t is exceedingly bad, inmy judgment.
There is no safety or propriety in in
trusting TO any officer Of this govern
ment, il matters not whether be be the
Secretary of War or the Chief of En-
gineers or the President himself, the
power that belongs to the representa-
tives of the people to make distinct and
specific appropriations of their money
to legitimate objects of the govern
ment. Short appropriations, distinct
appropriations, specific appropriations,
are TO be made by Congress to carry
out the theory that is embodied in our
institutions, which the fathers regard
cd as vital and essential, which is plain
ly written in the organic law and is
as clear and plain as anything that
has come down to us from the past. A
specific appropriation by the House of
Representatives, to be expended under
the direction Of the proper officer with
the necessary safeguards for expendi-
ture and accountability around the
Treasury, has come to be an indispen-
sable American principle, and | cannot
vote TO give to any man the right to
expend an enormous amount of the
money OF the people without control
and without direction These are no
times for losing the bonds of official ac-
countability or for loose appropria-
tions.
But, sir, beyond, and above all this,
what is this proposition 1t is, sir, a
confession ofthe impotence Of this body |
and OF its coordinate branch OF the |
government to perform the very duty |
tor which the people have sent them
here. This Congress, vested by the
people with power to make appropria-
tions, to cxpend their money, confess
es its impotence and practically says,
awe are unable TO pass an appropria.
ton bill the Secretary of War shall
expend the money at his pleasure.
This is the position in which we would
be placed by the adoption of the prop
osition of the Senator from Vermont.
| cannot consent by my vote to any
such proposition.
So far as | am concerned, i shall en-
deavor with all my power, as | already
have done, to reduce the proportions
of this bill. beg to correct the gen.
tlemen on the other side of the Cham
Der who have said that all on this side
have voted to increase It's proportions
by voting TO restore the Amendments
stricken out by the Senate committee.
| have ondcavored throughout not to
increase its proportions, but TO sustain
the committee.
Mr. Cockrcll. VIII the Senator al
low me a momcnt2
Mr. Wallace. am about TO an.
swcr the Senator. When the Senate
by test votes upon at least three prop
ositions settled the question that the
policy Of the Committee on Appropri.
ations was not to be followed by the
Senate and refused to permit the
amendments made by that committee
TO stand as the sense of the Senate,
then, at the request Of member Of
the lower House, | asked the Senate
to restore one Of the appropriations
that was in the bill OF the House, and
which had been stricken out by the
committee of the Senate. For that
icc. horhor NJ Chester I yo,ed For
ali o,bcr amendments reducinc tho
size of tho bill as made bv the Senate
committee / voted Have answered
the question of nv friend tho Sena.
tor from Missouri; Z;
u. cooLuou va ,,.
NJ. M vyyHo Wo,1aoa reannn, vs, s,r, ro,o Co.. 1,.
h;I H. ;,o nroson, ror,a "U' NOV ~, .d,'