Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-22

Mr.. H. is disposed to give 70 give %
the people Of the District of Columbia
with the bounty Of a fond and doating
father-while Mr.. M. lours on them a
cru ell stepdames glance, and appears to
grudge the little which they already
have. Mr.. M. entertains different o.
pinion Of the situation Of the people OF
the District, from that expressed BY
Mr.. VIM. Smith, of Virginia, on the
contested election of John Bailey, du-
ring the last session of Congress
Mr.. S. said, am not prepared to
become an inhabitant of the District
of Columbia, particularly in its pre-
sent ciM and political condition, and |
shall most cheerfully leave it, when we
have passed the necessary appropria-
ton bills and gotten rid Of the propos-
ed tariff"
As Mr.. M. delivers his opinions in
short and pithy sentences, they are
generally received as uncontrovertible
truths, and adopted as maxims through
out the land. The purity of his char
acter, gives weight to all his sayings.
It's therefore proper, in this instance,
to examine and ascertain what is this
"great quantity of money expended in
the District Of Columbia" and the i'm
mense advantages which the inhabi-
tants thereof possess.
Part of this quantity of money con-
sists in the salaries Of the stationary Of
fieers of the government within it, and
which may amount to 100000 annu-
ally. One half Of this is expended in
food and drink, and goes into the coun-
try and import towns, from which
these articles are obtained-and thence
portion to foreign lands-in all of
which it permanently locates itself,
leaving but small profit to the dealers
in the District behind.
The other half is expended in house
rent, fuel, clothes, taxes, which are not
small; the education of children, the
maintenance of the clergy, fees to doc
tors of physic, fees to lawyers, and the
various officers of justice, which the
legislation of Congress has multiplied
to the most oppressive and incredible
degree.
All these classes must, with their
landlords, eat, drink and be clothed,
and live in houses. The money which
they expend goes also to the country
to the importing town and to the for
reign world-leaving little behind as
profit. The next sum expended by
the government, is for the support OF
the judicial establishment of the Dis
trict, say $4,000 annually.-Which, al
ter passing through the hands OF the
Judges and officers of the Court, seeks
the same ultimate destination.
The next expenditure by government
is, annually, about $4,000 for i'm
provements, expressly for the accom-
mediation of the governmental OF
which, but the wages to the workmen,
is scattered over the United States, for
the purchase of the necessary mate
rials.
The sum of about 5000, 900, employ
ed in the business of the navy yard and
arsenal, in the District, is distributed
in like manner through the U. States.
The last item we will advert to, is a.
bout 100000, drawn from the Trea-
sury to defray the charges Of every ses-
sion of Congress. 1t is probable that
one fourth of this sum is annually ex-
pended in the District of Columbia, for
board, clothing, and for those other
accommodation which are required
by the members of Congress. This
expenditure, like all similar e1pendi-
lures in the District, is distributed
through the country, the importing
seaports, and sent to foreign lands, ex-
cept small profit which sometimes
remains.
The residue Of the payments made
to Congress, is carried, probably by
the members, to the States which they
represent. The inhabitants of the Dis
trict, from the circumstance that the
annual session of Congress is kind Of
Carnival, are compelled to live to the
full extent of their income, if not be.