Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-11
1873.
1926,
1877,
S2S,V93 gu
S0,966 10
B5,2S6 20
Total for three
SS5,045 50
Total for the three years,
Difference in favor of the last three

S""S, 81 ,36l-96
1t appears, the efore, that the expenses during
the last three years, not only have not exceeded
'hoSe OF the three preceding years. but have actu-
any been less by the amount above stated 1t will
presently appear that the saving, so far as the
question OF economy is concerned is much greater
vi the value oil such comparisons, the minority
OF the committee have already expressed their op-
mon, ana they do not mean to depart from it, But
1t seems to them very clear that il this test is 10 be
applied at all, 1t ought to be applied throughout
and where II would establish an improved economy
due credit ought to be given. Policy. no less than
justice, requires this. They therefore, submit the
comparison.
Two remarks, however, are made ON these con-
MnSent expenses, which seem to require attention.
ne hrst is THAT the contingent expenses have in
creased during the last three years as compared
with each other. They stand thus:
1923. S2s, 1892 so
1875, 80 1866 10
1927, RS as6 90
The second remark ia, that the expens. of all.
veitisng Ga part Of the above> has much increased
1t siaUds thus:
1928, s3.5o7 IL
1926, SI6s os
1879, 6,5O3 OIL
The fact is certainly so: butt is easily and salts
iacorily explained 1t must be observed, in the
hrst place, that the increased expense of adyeri,
ing Is, OF ITSELF sufficient account for the increase
o. 'he aggregate annual expenses, of which il
forms part and, therefore, the whole matter re-
solves itself into question oil the expense of ad-
vertising. If that be satisfactorily accounted for
the whole is explained and justified
This new and additional expense of advertising
mas already been alluded to, for different pur,
pose 1t has heen stated that, in the redemption of
ne debt, (sixes OF 1913, I4,) became necessary
10 determine, by lot, what certificates should be
redeemed, and, according 10 the provisions of the
Jaw under winch The loans were obtained, to give
due notice" TO the holders. Even without such
obligation, il would have been obviously inst and
eNpedient to do so. As the money would Otherwise
nave lain dead in the Treasury Gil. the holder
might learn that it was there, and in the mean
uine' ne, as Wen as the country, would have lost
the benefit oil its employment, In the estimates
Tor The year 1928, either from oversight, or which
Is more prohabe, because when the estimate was
prepared goth January, 1925, printed Documents
1914 >? Il was not ioreseen that such a payment
would be made, there was no allowance tov tbi,
new expenditure, incident to the .ischarge of the
Puoiic debt. In the estimates for 1926 9th jan
uary, 1926. printed Documents l825-6) il was spe.
ciaiiy presented i'll these words: For ADVERTISING
treasury notices OF the reimbursement of certain
poruons oil the public debt and also for proposals for
loans, 10000 dollars. To make good deficiency
Tor the same objects tor the year 1925 5000 dol
iaIs In the estimates for 1927, 9th January
iSsI' printed Documents lS26-7,) il is found in
hese words: 4" Advertising Treasury notices in
relation TO the Reimbursement, of the public debt
discharged by lot, and specifically advertised, 900
uo'iafs' The appropriation bills founded upon
tnese estimates, made provision for this specific
expense, amounting for the three years, 1895 CT.
TO iz,OO0 dollars that these expenditures actu-
airy were founded upon estimates laid before Con-
gfeSS The accounts before the Committee show
that the payments actually made out of The Trea-
suy In three years, for this description OF adver
Using amounted TO 9,214 dollars and So centss
part OF H. probably, yet remaining unpaid. The
whole amount stated to have been paid for adyer-
Using, including both descriptions l2I74 dollars
and ~ cents from which deducting the above sum
lof special advertisements, 9,274 dollars and 30
cents IT Will leave for the ordinary advertising for
the three years. 1900 dollars IS cents or less than
1000 dollars year, which is believed to be very
reasonable.
Now, passing By the very Obvious remark, that
tins special advertising sanctioned and prov;d-
ed for by Congress, as a necessary expenditure
the only question is, whether could be dispensed
with: The answer is, that il could, by RETAINING
from the payment of the public debt. And what
would have been the gain? The amount of princi.
pai oil Puoiic debt paid in lS236-7, is I6,3IS 1888
oo'iars ana 0" cents bearing an annual interest of
" $50 dollars and tire cents about 29s dollars
day. so that every days delay would have cost
z9o dollars, and every years delay 1880 dollars
anu three cents. Upon such question, il is i'm
possible there should be a difference Of opinion
Ii Is an instance however, to show that the small
saving of an incidental expense might occasion a
heavy loss and II Is applicable, as an illustration
TO al the other branches of service.
Having been led into this train of remark, il may
be proper now TO say, that, in comparative est
special d.
vertising ought to be deducted from the aggregate
OF contingent expenses The case will then stand
thus
The total OF contingent eSpen-
SEES Tor is2o-6-7, being 1864 SO
HSeuct ior Specai advertising, e,24 30
Leaves for TIE three years s5.77l d
The total for Is228-4, as be-
fore stated, being c6,4OT 81
The difference in favor OF the
last three years, is $40 636 20
Beng clear reduction of SO $40 Al wear
without Intending TO intimate that the expendi-
ture, during the first Of these periods was Excess
siye or extragagan, (Which they deem it lust TO
declare, they do moi belave,) they still aver, as
matter oil tact, that the expenses have not ia.
creased but have been reduced, and as far AS that
fact goes TO establish it, that there has been great
er economy.
After this exhibition Of the general expendi-
fure OF the Treasury Department, under the pre-
sent Secretary, showing that there j. no cTtraya-
gance, but the contrary, il will be the less neces
sary to dwell at much length upon the several
subordinate Offices, whose expenses are items of
the aggregate expenditure. If there has been e.
economy IN the aggregate, IL is not easy to UNDER
stand how there can have been want of il in the
paris.
The minority Of the Committee will now oro
ceed 10 state their views TO such Of the Offices
as nave occasioned remark. OF the Treasury
ana Of IFS ten subordinate Offices, nothing having
the appearance Of an objection has been offered i
WIth respect to any but. two, which seems TO es-
tabsh that IL is the opinion of the Committee that
IN the Office Of the Secretary of f:.e Treasury and
~ eight Of tho subordinate offices, there was no
thing to object TO. The inquiry is, therefore, lin
i'ed to the remaining two, as afording the only
c p 10 4