Speech Of The Hon John Reed Of Massachusetts On The General Appropriation Bill PDF Download

Excerpt from Speech of Mr. Reed, of Massachusetts, in Relation to the Failure of the Bill; Making Appropriations for Fortifications by the Last Session of Congress: Delivered in the House of Representatives, January 27, 1836 The following resolution, offered by Mr. Adams, being under consideration, viz: Resolved, That so much of the message of the President of the United States to Congress, at the commencement of the present session, as relates to the failure, at the last session of Congress, of the bill containing the ordinary appropriation for fortifications, be referred to a select committee, with instructions to inquire into, and report to the House, the cause and circumstances of the failure of this bill. Mr. Reed said, I feel embarrassed in rising to address the House on the present occasion. The subject is painful, but I am allowed no choice; and I proceed, without introduction, to state such facts as I deem important and relevant, concisely and plainly. The President of the United States, at the commencement of the present session of Congress, alludes to the loss of the fortification bill in the following word: "Much loss and inconvenience have been experienced in consequence of the failure of the bid containing the ordinary appropriations fur fortifications, which passed one branch of the National Legislature at the last session, but was lost in the other. This failure was the more regretted, not only because it necessarily interrupted and delayed the progress of a system of national defence, projected immediately after the last war, and since steadily pursued, but also because it contained a contingent appropriation, inserted in accordance with the views of the Executive, in aid of this important object, and other branches of the national defence, some portions of which might have been most usefully applied during the past season." The complaint is somewhat indefinite, (said Mr. R., )as the bill referred to passed both Houses of Congress, but not in concurrence. I presume it was intended to make the charge against the Senate. Though respectful in form, it is a grave and weighty charge. Appropriations were not made. We did some things we ought not to have done, and left undone many things which we ought to have done. I hold the President himself deeply implicated, and will not therefore answer to his charge. But I will suppose the charge comes from the people of the United States, and then I hold myself bound to render an account of my stewardship to my constituents and country. I will consider the charge as made against the Government: - the President, Senate, and House of Representatives. I plead not guilty, and mean to exculpate myself. I intend to do more - to criminate others, and fix upon them the guilt, so far as guilt there may be, of defeating the passage of the fortification bill. I charge the defeat of that bill to the President, or a majority of the House of Representatives of the last Congress, being administration men. In examining this painful subject, I determine to bear testimony to the truth - to state what I saw, and heard, and know. I intend to express my opinion upon the subject frankly, firmly, and temperately. The President, in his message at the opening of Congress, in December, 1834, sounded the war trumpet, and it did not give an uncertain sound. The following are his words: "It is my conviction that the United States ought to insist on a prompt execution of the treaty; and, in case it be refused, or longer delayed, take redress into their own hands. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com