Delaware journal., 1828-02-19
TUESDAY, February ID, 1928.


have been fixed by Congress. Even the number
of Clerks in each Department, and the pay of eve
ry clerk, IS regulated and ascertained by law 1t
had, indeed, been remarked by the gentleman from
Virginia, Mr.. Randolph that the contingent expen-
ses of this House had increased in much greater
ratio than its numbers that in twenty years the
numbers had only doubted, and the expenses we're
nearly quadrupled-This matter is entirely under
the regulation of the House. If the expense be too
great, let it be checked and controlled, by limiting,
if it be possible these branches of service which
occasion the expence. Bnt he did not believe the
numerical argument precisely correct, OF that in this
case and would necessarily only make 4. When
it was considered that this conledeI alton eni-
braced "a States and three Territories the extent
of the country, and the space through which in
formation was to be diffused-he thought it would
be great error to suppose that the expences would
increase only according to the increase of the num-
Der of representatives. He rather thought, that
like the price of plate, glass or diamonds they would
increase in somewhat of geometrica ratio. The
greater part of the expense, it was obvious, was
incurred for the purpose of giving information, and
this was object of too much Importance to be sac
riiced for the purpose Of saving expense.
The establishments of the country have been for
med in the same way-he army the navy, the
foreign intercourse. On what basis do they stand
Each on the footing upon which it has been debe-
ratey placed by Congress, after carefully consde-
ring what the public service required, and what
they were respectively worth. There may have
been error-nothing human is exempt from liability
to error. Sometimes, however, it is imputed with
unjust severity But if there be error let 1t be poin
ted out, examined and corrected. There let the
wisdom of Congress apply the remedy, at the poin
where the evil exists.
As all the offices a,e created by the Constitution
or by act of Congress, as even the Clerks were mum
bered and their salaries fixed and both in the
power of Congress- he could not suppose, until some
ground for the belief had previously been laid, that
there was in these particulars extravaganza Oh
| abuse.
On the contrary he sad there was the stronges
general evidence of wise and economical adm nis
tration of the affairs of this country. He did no
mean the present administration merey-he mean
the Government in general giving to the present ad
minisration their just portion of credit. AS far a
they were concerned, they were entitled to tn
praise offarly contributing to give effect to wis
system of economy. Much ofthe merit belonged t
Congress.
Matters of revenue and expenditure, necessa I'll
sounded in figures. He would not contradict thos
who seemed to think that even figures might de
!, ceve but he would say that he did not know hoy
such subject could be understood without resor
ING to Them 1t was matter of calculation after al
and nothing but calculation, however tedious tn
process, would lead TO sure results. Tie uiu mol
: tend to restrict himself in his inquiry, to the ter
4 of the present Administration. Beginning with tn
f peace, when the nation liberated from tn
l., extraordinary demands of war, he would embrae
l. the whole period of the last Administration, (whic
ID one gentleman had said he thought was wastetul an
e prodgal.) and as much of the time of the prese
IS Administration as had already expired, in order
D. show that there had been and still continued to be
d wise and economical management of the affairs oft
n country What had been accomplished during tn
De period
of From the Treasury report of 1916, it apPea
he that the public debt then estimated (3Oh Sci
lot 1879 at pll9,63o,ooo
he ubject," the report adds
he 'sto considerable changes
IF. and additions estimated at 100000,
Of
Making total of S126, 1886, ,558
not There were besides, large floating claims, gro
Ike ing out of the war, for which Congress has be
ell obliged, from time to time, to make provisl
vas The public debt, therefore, in January 1916,
to in round numbers, one hundred and twenty-siX n
ant lions and half of dollars. What is 1t now?
mnallv sixty-seven millions But of this aggregs
of seven millions the subscription to the Bank
to the United States for which we have the same
mt mount in stock, OF equal or of greater value.
the duct that sum, and the total debt, is but 60 mo
itu So that during the period of about twelve years.
ted ginning Immediately after the war, there has b.
ur- an extinguishment of debt TO the amount of rat
D,,Asl go. 1A,n