The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-03-24
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS spy
rRAVAGANT EXPENDITURES

IL is exceedingly amusing to see the Boston
Statesman, and its kindred Jackson presses.
resortng to the same paltry articles 10 pull
down the administration of this State, which
they made use of several years since to over
throw the national administration. The same
cry of extravaganza is raised, and the same
promises of retrenchment made, with which
they then deceived tine people. None but men
who dare be guilty of the grossest inconsistent
cy and falsehood, would second time resort to
such measures, after the hollowness of their
professions had once been unmasked. Is it not
true that the jackson administration came into
power upon the solemn pledge to correct abus-
es, and to curtail the extravagant expenditure
of the general government Did they not.
during the canvass, make the boldest charges
against the late administration, of proflgacy
in the management of the public revenue and
the most solemn pledges of reform in this mar
ticular? And how have they redeemed their
pledge! Why, the expenditure of Mr.. AID.
amss administration was mere child's plav.
compared with the reckless profusion of Gen.
Jackson's. Upon the very threshold of its pow
err it is not content with filling the old Offices
of the government at the old salaries, but new
Offices are constantly created with large salaries
to feed the mendicant applicants for reward.
and the salaries of old offices increased, to re-
munerate the losses incurred in shouting "Ions
live the hero" A few attempts have been
made, for mere show, TO abolish some petty Of
fees, but, where one has been abolished, two new
ones have been created. The Presidents man.
sion, about the furniture of which So much
camor was raised, while occupied by Mr.. Ad-
ans, has been ornamented and embelished for
the plain citizen general, until it rivals, in spen-
dor and magnifcence, the palace of the Grand
Seignior. Thousands upon thousands have been
uselessly expended in the outfits and salaries of
new ministers to foreign courts, who, TO say
the least, are no better than those they have
superseded. The Navy, instead of its former
simple organization, must have it's Admirals.
and its Rear-Admirals with an enhancement of
pay to support its new dignity. The office of
Attorney General must be raised into a Depart
ment of State, with its solicitors, it clerks, and
sub-agents. The Post Office Department must
be subdivided, with Deputy Post Master Gen.
eFal at the head of the new division, and his ten
new clerkships, salaried and pensioned The
catalogue of such sources of expense has been
swelled, until the nation are astonished and dis
gusted.
This is the manner in which the Jackson
party have fulfilled their promises to the people
In regard to retrenchment. And do they now
suppose that the same people are so simple and
short-sighted as to believe similar professions
under similar circumstances The people see |
and know how to appreciate their motives |
They know this parade about extravaganza is |
all sham, hollow artifice, by which the party
expects to ride into power in this State and [
they know, too, that instead of retrenchment,
profusion would be the order of the day, were
the artifice to succeed. party which has |
struggled TO raise itself to power, and made |
great sacrifices of time and money TO obtain it, |
after the object is accomplished, least of all |
things think of abolishing Offices or of reduc-
ing their compensation. The excuse then would |
be, we must reward our friends for the services
they have rendered. Has it not ever been so, |
and Will 1T not ever continue 20 be so? It is |
idle, it is foolish, for the people to expect that
the Jackson party in this State, will be more
consistent, or more patriotic, than they have |
been in the nation at large.
But, let us look little at this complaint of !
extravaganza in this State, and see if there is |
any stronger reason for making it now than at I
former periods. Are the salaries of officers high
er now than they were under the adminstra- !
ton of the venerable Eustis and Gerry? No !
Are the officers more numerous No Are
the taxes more onerous? No. Are the contin-
tlngent expenses of the Government greater
No. In fine, is the whole amount of the State
expenditure, compared with the increased
wealth and population of the Commonwealth,
greater than it was at either of those periods
No. Will the Jackson party complain of the
extravaganza OF those administrations So far
from it, they affect to set them up as their
prototypes and exemplars.
But, they pretend to compare the necessary
expenses of this Commonwealth with those of
Rhode Island and Delaware States no larger
than the County of Worcester, and gravely ask
why we should not be as cheaply governed as
those States As we'll might they ask why the
food of mouse is not sufficient for mammoth,
or the nourishment in fowOr-pot for the
growth of New England forest oak
Indeed, this whole clamor about expenditure
and extravaganza, IS the shalowest pretence
that was ever set up by hungry office seekers.
1t originates in hypocrcy and falsehood, is sup
ported by inconsistency and impudence, and
needs only to be looked at to be laughed at and
reprobated. A NATIONAL REPUBLIcAN.
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
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