Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-04-26
"Clay, Liberty and Union.
REMARKS OF Ma. FOOT, IN THE
SENATE,
ON THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

ON THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL.
Mr. FOOT said: from the statement
made by the Chairman, that this amend
ment proposes only an appropriation for
the payment Of such expenses as were au-
thorized by law, taxed by the Courts, and
approved by the Comptroller, he was not
disposed to withhold the appropriation; it
had become debt, which the Government
is bound to discharge. But said, Mr.. F., |
was gratified to find that even the Senator
from Maryland. (Mr SMITH is ready to &C
knowledge that there has been an senior
saous eI,crease Of expenses" under this AID
ministratien. 1t is, indeed, enormous9 In
is20-2l-22, there appears to have been but
10000 dollars appropriated ior expenses c.
Courts, In 1880 81 49, these expenses have
amounted to .fre hundred and ninety eight
thousand dolLorsi! and the report of the Sc
eretary of the Treasury shows no good or
sufficient reason for such enormous in
creased" Is it not possihle--is it not proba
ble--is it not fact-wbch will appear Oh
close investigation in the Departments,
from the accounts, that the expenses have
been much increased by the removal ei
faithful and competent District Attorneys,
Snd ;,h;e appointment of young and incompe-
ten, oificers' OF Districct Attorneys who have
involved the United States 10 grea. and IN
necessary expenses? in groundless prosec3-
tiousp or from their inability to defend the
Interests of the United Statesp or IN large
sums paid for Assistant Counsel to aid these
new District Attorneys? Ii Is well known,
that almost every District Attorney has
been removed, or new one appointed on
the expiration of his term, since the com
mencement Of this Administration Connec-
A. r.. aha4 .Ia nffh Q plft
val of an able and excellent officer. IL will
be recollected, that an attempt was made to
postpone his nomination, with all others, du-
ring the last session, in the late Administra
ton which failed and he was appointed |
understand tia at the first Court after his
appointment, and during the pendency Of an
important trial for the recovery OF penalty
the District Attorney received a letter re
voking his commission, which he stated TO
the Court The Court, however, appointed
him to manage the cause, and 1t has been
said, he made a most able argument. and re-
covered judgment for the heaviest penalty
which has been recovered in that State for
many years.
It's notorious, that the removal o: Clerks
in the executive offices, and the appoint
ment of inexperienced officers has caused
much delay in the settlement OF accounts,
and greatly increased the expenses IN those
Departments The Senator took occasion,
some time since, on bill for tue erection
OF Barracks in New Orleans, to enter into a
defence of this Administration, to deny that
the expenditures had increased; and endea-
vored 10 prove. that instead OF any Increase
in the expenditures of the Government,
there had been an actual dtmuautiol IN the
expenses since the present Administration
came into power!
[IIere Mr.. SMITH interrupted Mr. FooT,
and said, "the Senator has made his speech
TO shew that the District Attorney in Con-
necticut has been removed"-and was called
TO order by the Vice Presdent.]
Mr. FooT resumed: Sir. the Senator may
rest assured have other objects in view,
and he will hear more on THIS subject oil
waselul expenditure; anu call his attention
TO the statement which xas made by me al
the,last session, taken from official doeu-
ments, which be cannot controvert or deny
and which he may examine, and see II he
can discover any mistake The same state
mcnt is now before me, showing that the ap
preparations Tor all objects except the pub
lie debt. during the two first years OF Jack
sons Administration by an amount OF 81 965.
sos 80; and of this excess 81 1885, 80
was in the civil list And, sir, go fur
ther: the appropriations
in 1880, we're 52,i5I ,522, i
Do 1927 %, 1850 059 al