WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1852
360
money from the Treasury, on any contract, or account what- ever; and all contracts shall hereafter be advertised at least sixty days before letting; and that all contracts now existing in relation to building the additions to the Capitol as well as the Patent Office, not made according to law, are hereby cancelled at the end of sixty days, and notice of the same shall be given in all the newspapers in the city of Washington; and that all contracts of every description which have been made without public notice having been given where notice was required, shall be cancelled after sixty days' notice having been given in the newspapers of the city. Provided also, That good and sufficient security shall be given for twice the amount of money at any time to be advanced to the contractors under any contract, and that bids shall be opened in presence of the bidders, if they or any of them should be present, and that notice to that effect shall be given in the advertisements for proposals, to be pub- lished agreeably to this proviso; and all contracts made without an appropriation of money for an object, the subject of a con- tract, are hereby concelled and declared void. [Mr. Bright and the President speak.] Mr. Houston. It has direct reference to the clause in the bill relating to the erection of public buildings, and intended as a guard for the protection of the Government, and for no other purpose. [Mr. Clarke and Mr. Pratt speak.] Mr. Houston. If the gentlemen will attend to the reading of the amendment, it can be read again for his information. I am perfectly satisfied, when he understands it, that he will say that it is for no other purpose than to guard the interests of the Government. If irregularities have been practiced, it is intended as a corrective to them. It is for no other purpose; and every- one who considers it must be satisfied that it is a proper amend- ment. J have submitted it to a number of gentlemen, and they think it is manifestly right to guard the Treasury of the country. [Mr. Hale.] Mr. Houston. If the contracts have been executed, or executed in part, and payments have been made equivalent to the service rendered, and the holders of them have an opportunity of entering into new contracts, as other people are able; so then, I can perceive no difficulty in that. If they are made without an appropriation, or contrary to law, they are declared void. And if
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