WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
65
it, who has considered it on former occasions as well as now, is the best plan that can be selected. Perhaps it is susceptible of amendment. If so, let us make the amendments that are neces- sary. The gentlemen who have been familiar with the police of cities, and who have had the misfortune to be reared under the restricted influences of cities, are the most competent persons to make the necessary suggestions of those amendments that are necessary to the perfection of this bill, if it is not now perfect. I will vote for any bill that has for its object the improvement of the condition of the police of this city, so as to give security to person and property, suppress disorder, and put down mob violence. I will vote for any bill that seems to me to attain that object. I hope that some remedy will be found for the existing condition of things. I do not take the expense into account at all. It is true that the Treasury is poor now, and we are rather hard pinched for money. This results from having paid some of our debts before they were due. Within the last two years, I think there was great difficulty here on account of the apprehended dangers which were to result from a surplus in the Treasury. We were beset by the business men of New York and other cities to disgorge the Treasury of its vast surplus, so as to give a spring to business and sustain commercial transactions. The money was thrown into circulation, and I do not think the community has profited by it; for I believe the crash came when our money got all out of the Treasury. I am inclined to think that it is a good plan to keep a little there. My last few years' experience, at least has inculcated the lesson that there is no danger but an emergency will arise to relieve the Treasury whenever it is necessary to de- plete it. I trust we shall proceed immediately to adopt some plan that will afford a remedy for the disorders in Washington city. Let us establish an efficient pQlice; that will give security to per- sons and property. Let the officer at its head be responsible for the preservation and maintenance of peace. If he does not secure it, let him pay the penalty. I will vote for any measure that tends to secure this result. [Others speak.] Mr. Houston. I have no disposition to prolong this debate; but I must say to the honorable gentleman from Tennessee, that he misapprehended my remarks in relation to the duty of the Fed- eral Government to sustain this place, and make provision for the citizens here. He said that we were equally bound to the citi- zens of St. Louis, or any other citizen of the Union, as to the people of this city. Now, I have no doubt that a very large pro- portion of the appropriations made here benefit, in a great degree,
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