Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-06-10
TUESDAY, sJune lO, 1923.

EXTRACTS from the Report of the Minority of
the Retrenchmeat Committee.
Tie Expenditures Of the Erecut,ve Branch of the
Government
! 1t has already been observed that this head en-
braced, Tor the year 1896, expenditure of S489,
776 o7-being about one filtieth part of the aggre-
gate expenditure of the government. Ii consists of
two parts first, salaries and compensaons estab-
lished by law, including the salaries of the Presi-
dent Wee President, Heads of Departments, and
the subordinate officers of the Departments down
to the messengers of the Offices The payments
thus liked by law, and which neither be exceed
Ell nor diminished, amount to than four hun
dred thousand dollars. The residue, say for the
year 1925, about 10000 dollars, is for what are
termed contingent expenses, the nature of which
/ will require but one word of explanation. There
Is no uncertainty or contingency as to the necess
ty OF these expenses for the public service. The
Departments must be provided with fuel, stationa-
ry, furniture, books and whatever else is wanted
for the business OF the nation. They are uncertain
and contingent only as to the amount, and because
the respective items cannot be estimated with per-
feet precision, in advance. The great bulk ofthem
is, however, absolutely indispensable. small
portion may possibly be liable to some difference
of opinion in the judgement of different men,
|
temperament OF habit to take. 1t would be very
large allowance to suppose that onetenth part could
be subject to debate or question, even with those
whose notions on such points most rigid. But
for the present purpose, let it be assumed that
tenth part is debateable. Then the case will stand
thus
The total expenditure in the year
1926, debt included, being 1924, Jos, 1898 46
The expenses ofthe Executive
4 Department, including the Staff
Of the Army, 18th, or 4o9, 776 OF
| The expenses termed contingent
are not quite 10th part ofthat
sum, or, say 10000, 90
| And of these contingencies, it is
supposed, for the present, that
there may be 1-1Oth subject to
dispute, as before stated 5000 OO
Which latter may be considered as furnish
ing the field of retrenchment.
Then, the expenses of the Executive Depart
ment being l-50lh of the whole expenditure. anc
the contingent expenses 18th of the expenses 0
the Executive Departments, they 1-3ootl
part of the whole; and the debateabe part 0
the contingent expenses being but 1-loth part,
amounts to but 1-30Oth part. or 1,3000th part o
the whole expenditure-thais to say, 1-3Oth part
one per cent.
: This statement is made simply for the purpose 0
Z. correcting any vague and erroneous notions tina
may prevail upon the subject of this branch of ex
Ipendure, and to shew how very incorrect must b
the opinion that any serious rerenchment in it
required or practicable, or that any formidable eS
ltravagance or abuse can there prevail. From th
attention which has of late been bestowed upon th
subject one might be led to conclude that the Trea
sury was supposed to be grevously burthened b
it. and that some sensible relief might be had b
reduction at that point. And yet it appears, whe
examined to be so minute, as, upon the largest a
Iowance, not to exceed 1-36rh part of one per cen
1t is exactly the same as the annual expenditure
one dollar is to AN individual whose whole expense
amount to three thousand dollars "a year.-lf, i
stead of an abundant revenue, untouched resource
freedom from taxation, an adequate provision fl
the rapid extinction of the public debt and sta
of progressive prosperty--which happily is o
actual condition-the revenue were inadequate, t
debt stationary or increasing land the public burthe
heavy, it must be admitted that reduction Of
penditure would be necessary. But what reduct
could be effected within the limits of 1-3Oth of G
per cent or 1-3OOOth part of the whole? In 81
circumstances, and with such views, the utmost $
ing that could be effected would not pay the expe
of the inquiry. 1t is far too minute to afford
hope OF relie
In thus exactly stating the scope of the inqu
it is not meant to be conceded that even in MARI
limits mentioned there has been any eXtravas
or improper expenditure, nor to be asserted
an extravagant or improper expenditure ought t
permitted, however small The minority of
= Committee have seen nothing to induce them to
g. eye that there has been any such expendlt
that Reserving for examination hereafter. part
of a lar items, about which there would seem, to b
% of question: it may be proper, for all, to state
sa general footing upon which this matter stands s.
who to exhibit the grounds OF the opinion they entert
him, and intend, in conclusion, to express. 1t will
exhibit the guards and checks already proyide'
Y de- law, or by the practice OF the Government.
soon For the expenditures of each department, as
wa as every branch of service, provision is annu
ately made by the appropriation bill. The approp
pro- tions for the Department are made upon detailed
lates timates annually presented to Congress- and pr