Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-08-02

of expenditure would be necessary. Rut
what reduction could be effected within the
iiinits OF l-3Oth OF one per cent or 1-3OOOth
part OF the who's! In such circumstances,
0nd with such views, the utmost saving that
Could be effected would not pay the expense
oil the inquiry. 1t is far 100 minute to afford
any hope of relief
LIN thus exactly stating the scope OF the
inquiry, II Is not meant To bcconceded, that,
even within the very narrow limits men
toned, there has been any extravaganza or
improper expenditure, nor to be assorted
that an extraNagant or improper expenditure
ought to- be permitted, however small. The
minority of the Committee have seen moth
iog to induce them to believe that there has
ucen any such expenditure. Reserving,
Tor examination hereafter, some particular
items, about whic there would seem to be
a question, 1t may be proper, once for all, to
stale the general toot;Hg upon which this
matter stands, SO as to exhibit the grounds
OF the opinion they entertain, and intend,
IN confusion, 20 express. 1t Will also exhibit
! the guards and choc;ts already provided by
Law, or by the practice ofthe Government.
! 70. the expenditures ofcach Department,
as well rs ofcvorv branch OF service. provis-
! ION IS annually made by the appropriation
ments are made upon detailed estimates. an
nuaily presented to Congress, and printed
Cor the use OF the members. The estimate
Tor The present year is printed document OF
hiY-scven pages. Whore Department
comprehends subordinate offices; separate
ana distinct estimates are made for each OF
them. thus, the cstinIatc is separately made
Tor the Treasury, and for each Of the ten
subordinate departments belonging 20 it. So
! q INC war department, and the eight sub
ORDINATE Offices. The estimates and the APP
preparations tor contingencies are also, as far
as 1t IS practicable, divided into heads or
parts. For instance, in the estimates for the
department OF State, at the present session,
thc contingencies are arranged under fifteen
!eads, and the appropriation asked for each,
lncludng books, stationary, fuel, and can
dies, newspapers, extra copying, printing of
the laws, distribution of the laws, DC.
The estimates being placed in the hands
OF the Committee of Ways and Means, and
OF every member Of Congress, they have the
opportunity (Which they have not failed to
improve with becoming vigilance) of iudg-
ing ~ the reasonableness of every item pro-
posed. In forming this Judgment, they have
inc means OF comparison with the preceding
expenditure, and if they find anv new head
OF expense introduced, or any old one swell
ied beyond It's former size, or if they enter
tam a doubt OF the proprcty Of any part Of
the expenditure, they have the right OF as
king ior explanation, which they always cxer-
Csc, 90 i'll duty they ought. Upon the re-
suit OF this examination, vigorously made.
ilrst by the Committees, and then by both
Houses of Congress, the Judgment Of Con-
gFess is formed, and that Judgment is ey.
pressed il the appropriation bill, as applica-
bic TO the services OF the year. The appro-
pFiaiit, bill, therefore, pronounces the opn-
ion OF Congress upon each and every item
embraced by ii, as necessary for the public
service, and also upon the amount which
may nc applied to each and every item The
discussions upon the appropriation bills,
nave Tor many years past, been rigorous and
faithful.
lie amount ti:us appropriated cannot be
exceeded. Tins IS true, not only in general,
but also i'll every detail. The Head of a
Department is limited in his contingent ex-
pcrses. to the amount which is appropriated
Tor his Department. The head of a subor-
dInatc branch IS confined to the sum estina-
ted for that branch. Neither can draw
from Ike Treasury one dollar beyond the ap-
And each, in his respective
expenditures, is to keep within the bounds
prescribed for the particular hcat! of cxpcn-
Gnurc; 50 that what is assigned for one SER
wee cannot be employed for another. Ii is
obvious. therefore, that, as to the amount TO
he expended for contingencies, or the objects
Tor which it is TO be expended, very little is
ic:t 80 the discretion OF INC officer; and it
ought to be remembered, that, as it is his
first duty 20 sec that the public service is
performed, he must not sacrifice that for the I!
purpose q saving tie rooney placed at his
disnosa! ior It's performance.
The expenditure itself next comes under
review: Il Is presented annually, in con
tenaed form, in tables accompanying the !
Tier Of the Secretary of the Treasury, at
a'ci: session Of congress under It's appropr- {
ate heads. In pursuance of standing or
dor 81 the House, made the 30 December, |
1921, ihere IS also published an ANIMAL &C
count OF al receipts and payments for the !
J ear, giving the name Of every Individual to !
,Iio;1 payment has been made from the |
Treasury. Aud still further to secure the
:4ihini application of the public moneys, |