Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-26


From this exhibit, it will bc seen that the total
amount of appropriations Tor each OF the contingent
funds in question: for the three years of the present
administration, has greatly exceeded the total
mount of the appropriations for the same funds,
during the last three years OF the preceding admin
israon; presenting, in the aggregate, an increase
OF little less than so per cent To this table have
subjoined statement of the appropriations for the
whole expenses offoreign intercourse, both regu-
lar and contingent, for the same periods exhibiting
an increase of corresponding extent, in that branch
OF the public service, under the present admins
tration. l have included the appropriations for
foreign intercourse generally because that is
subject particularly referred by the Constitution
and the practice of the Government 10 the discre-
ton Of the Executive; and for the regulation of it's
expenses, therefore, the Executive is particular
ly sesponsblc.
Some gentlemen may, upon the first blush,
counfor the great difference in tha appropriations
for this branch of the public service, under the
present and late administrations by referring il TO
the opening ofou diplomatic intercourse with the
South American States. But it so happens that
that intercourse was opened several years before
tire commencement OF the present administration,
and that in the very first year embraced by the
statement, to wit. in 1922, of one hundred
thousand dollars was appropriated, by separate
law, for dcfraying the expense OF missions to the
independent nations of South America. The COM
parison, then, is altogether fair, embracing two
equal periods OF time, when the circumstances of
the country, in its foreign relations, SINH
lar as they well could be. The other subjects of
comparison i'll the foregoing table are confined 10
contingent appropriations, because, in the dsburse
ment of them, the Executive s. its officers have aI
unlimited discretion, and mast, therefore, be held
exclusively responsible for excessive and improper
expenditures.
Before take my leave OF this table, will call
The attention OF the House to fact disclosed by it,
IN cunnexion with Wanting remark made by a
friend OF the administration, Mr.. Pcarce,l few
days ago He claimed great credit for thc admin
mt he Slxpun mn rttiO
tingcnt expenses of foreign intercourse during the
present year; and either he or some other gentle
man gave to understand that such thing had
not happened before, since the origin of the gov
ernment Certain il Is that have seen thi. state
ment made in tone OF great confidence and self
applause, ia several leading Journals devoted to
the support of the administration. Now, Sir, we
not under the necessity OF travelling very far
back for refustion of this assertion for it so hap
pens that in two out of the three years of the last
administration, embraced by the statement have
exhibited, there was no such appropriation. The
years 1922 and 1928, ii will be seen, present per-
feet blanks to this appropriation. If go far
ther back, we shall find long tracts of time, du
ring which there was no such appropriation For
four or five successive years OF MIR. Jefiersos adj
mini5tration, there
said, Mr.. Speaker, that the large increase in
the supplies granted by Congress TO the present
administration, for these Objects rendered it parti
culariy proper that we should inquire into their
disbursement. do not mean to say, because l
have no knowledge upon the subject,) that there
has been any thing wrong i'll that disbursements
nor do mean to say, that the actual expenditure
has been equal to the appropriations. But we
all know that the appropriations made by Congress
founded upon estimates furnished by the seye-
rd Departments ofwhat they will require for their
respective operations, the appropriations made must
bcregarded as fair criterion for opprorimat,ig,
at least The actual expenditures OF the government.
Eth increase of expenditure, in the several
branches Of the public service embraced by the
statement have exhibited, has not kept equal
pace with the increase of appropriations, have
seen enough to satisfy me that that increase
has, at least, been very considerable, under the
present administration
The aggregate expenditures Of the government
have VIGOROUSLY increased. 1 speak here Of its
ordinary current expenditures, by which 1 mean
all expenditures, except payments on account of
the public debt, and demands arising from treaties
with foreign nations Those expenditures in 1922,
were 99,S27,6l2; in 1928, 80, 7St,152; in 1924,
$l0,4l5,17o; making total sum, during the three
last years Of the last administration OF $50, 06O
573. In 1925, the class of expenditures a
mounted To 5i ,4l6,532; in 1926, to i3 0G2 3i6 in
1927, to I2,255, $50; making total, sum during
the three airs OF the present administration, OF
S36,16i, 423. The ncreaS Of the ordinary 0xpendi-
lures of the government, under the present admin
isration, Compared with corresponding period Of
the last administration, has amounted, then
TO an annual sum Of $2.23l, 6i5
Now, Sir, 10 not mean 10 hold the Executive
responsible for the tchoie OF this increase Of the
public expenditure; but as their friends are ever
Eeauy 10 cldln IJF ticin LIE credit Vi Whatever
good has been done since they came into power,
ilisb but fair that they should bear portion Of blame
for the evil which may have been Committed
We are perpetually told Of the sixteen millions Of
the principal Of tie public debt which have been
exunguishcd under the present administrations as
an evidence OF their good management, and as if
the merit belonged personally and exclusively TO
them. Ifthey are 70 have the tch0ie credit of
this operation, they must submit to bear portion
at least, Of the blame which may be imputed for
not doing more. The statement which have lust
made, shows that ii the expenditures Of the 20
vernnent, under the present administration, had
been kept within The limit assigned 10 them by the
last administration, further stio Of near seven mil
lions Of dollars might lave been applied 10 the ex-
fngujshment Of he public debt s. Instead Of sixteen
millions, twenty three millions of might have been
discharged, since The present administration came
into otlinc. Considering " the deep solicitndo"
which the President himself informs US is felt
BY every class of our citizens for the total dfe
cidrge Of the public debit" and the earnest de-
sircs pfoiessed by himself upon the subject IL was
justly 70 have been expected that hc would Use al
hsinfluoncc aud al his vigilance 10 hasten o con.
summation 90 descuily u he wished"
N0y, Sir, with such ficts as these before our
eyes, is IL very surprising that some Of Us should
entertain AMI venture 70 express The opinion, thaf
Bha,eycr other Incfifs the IrcecM administration