Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-13

gradual ncrcas of our ,puation and wealth and OF
those public establishments which huctuatc with them,
such aus some parts OF the Judiciary, the Legislative and
Executive could then be accurately and prov
Tor, while amy extraordinary and xpcctcd enlarge
nent IN expenses would thea excite inquiry and unless
resting ON clear and extraordinary causes, would Justify
opposition. When resting they would be met by the
public chccriniy by means OF Increased taxes and
nue. Another important circumstance deserves consi-
dcraon IN explanation of the and contingent item of
sauoO0o now FIRST added to the estimates for the
ing year. IL has been asecrtancd by careful scrutiny
and comparison that much of the great expenditures
the last years beside the payment of tho debt
arisen from appropriations hy Congrcss 10 lar amount
under particular heads than the general estimates for the
year. submitted by the Treasury and from large appro-
priaonS to objects not specifically included in amy est
mates.
TO illustrate this abstract Of table of the general
estimates, appropriations, and expenditures, during the
pas. two years and of all these. but the expenditures
during the past three years has been prepared and is
submitted, showing difference between the estimates
and appropriations. independent of the public debt in
Ss9 Of between live and six millions; in 1888 of near
~ 1--WE millions and in ic:4 ofabou three millions re 1
The largest portion of this great increase amounting
IN the hrst two years from oncourth third of the
whole appropriations, IT will be SEEM is under the civil
and miscellaneous heads, and under the items cassed
with the military establishments such - horbors mprov-
cd, pensions, &c.
For the information of the public on comparison
deemed very important, is proposed 10 publish the
detailed table from which this is complied, and SINH
lar hereafter appended to the annual exhibit of the
receipts and expenditures Should this practice of
king appropriations, greatly exceeding the estimates
be continued by Congress it VII not only prevent much
reduction particularly under the miscellaneous head but
Il Will be necessary To provide for tho consequences Of
by an augmented revenue proportionac to these de-
mands or by larger regular surplus in the Treasury
meet sue" unexpected increases OIL appropriations III
must be manifest that it is in the power of this De-
parmen to oresee and compute these with any
degree al aecuracy with the exception of some sub
sequcn estimates submitted after the annual ones they
depend almost wholly, in their inception, the pleasure
and discretion OF Congress-; and they chiefly of
miscellaneous public objects and private grants for al
most numherless causes they may vary greatly i'm differ
years But il might be unaihfnlness i'm the under
hpl III.
extent of the influence of this the expendi-
lures, though always someing has been to
be very large during the last three years. bring it
distinctly TO their notice, and not to submit contingent
item in the estimates for the purpose of covering il
Whether that which the Department has now offered
reduced as is nearly oneai from the average of the
actual during the three past years. will prove
correct not and whether the diminished estimates un-
der some other heads will correspond not with the
tua amount oapproprations that may be made and with
our anticipated means To meet them, will depend much
nthe caution and policy Congress may deem proper
use, IN restricting appropriations nearly within the
estimates presented On the presumption that they may
be restricted than heretofore only the addition be-
fore mentioned has, this account, been made to the
whole estimated expenditures for the ensuing year. A
reduction much lower than the late actual AVERAGE
exccsscs supposed to be justified from two leading
sderatols One of them rs the circumstance that dur
ing short session of Congress- which now occurs few
erbils miscellaneous character generally be well
examined and passed than during long session. Ano-
Their is that dminses il is probable that
greater vigilance will be exercised by ALL in the allow
of very ancient and almost obsolete private claims
of claims very doubtful i'll character us to either facts
or principles, and in making further appropriations to
some objects of public importance, which have already
received liberal attcnon and which, from their nature
must be expected TO diminish rather than increase in
their demands the Public Treasury Thus in rerard
TO lighthouses, custom houses marine hospitals. &c
not To cnumerac various objects with internal
Improvement and public expenditure, within the District
OF Coumb:a it is manifest that the appropriated
for years past be safely and iudciousv imin
ishcd in several respects and in others almost entirely
discontinued If this be DONE il doubtless will be
with discrimination and Judgment though new OBJ
IN hn aA1f,
ones computed, yet it is probable that the saving in ex-
pense TO the public will only be considerable but at
the same time object of really commercial character
and oil national magnitude need be neglected, any
power exercised and treasure expended in those doubt
ful cases of constitutional right in the General Govern
cnt which tend to alienatc brethren OF the poit
cal family and to perpetuate eXcements unfvorabe To
useful legislation, and in degree dangerous to our
Union IT has been further considered i'm the estimates
and reductions for the ensuing year, that whole e-
penditure account of the public debt has one sense
ceased, either by completing the payment of it, or by
deposlte OF money with the Commissioner Loans or
readiness of IL in the Treasury, sufficient pay all which
remains whenever The holders choose receive It. But
though all the principal and interest necessary for This
object WILL before the year closes, have been placed in
the Bank and its branches, Commissioners OF Loans
yet the practice is to require the interest if called
Tor scasonaby to be, after certain period returned TO
the Treasury, and the principal only be retained by
the Bank, till otherwise directed by the Commissioners
OF the Sinking Fund by Congress The unclaimed
interest after having been once raid out of the TrcoEnrv
end returned, does not at this time S26i OBS or
the money ready there for it's discharge, aer meeting
practice, it will be seen, that payment must const
tute some annual charge the Treasury till the whole
Is actually adjusted and consequently $50 900 for that
purpose has been included in the estimated expenditure
of the ensuing year. This WILL probably be nearly all
the demands OF any Kind for the public debt i'm any
form, which will then be made the Treasury or the
sinking fund. The rest of the sinking fund if not abo
sed by Congress- could hereafter be applied for gene
RAJ purposes
La substantial conformity the proposition made last
year, by ts department, it would now seem still more
Imperative on Congress t. provide that the money whc
thor principal interest drawn from the Treasury and
placed IN the Bank and its Branches Commissioners
OF Loans and which shall not be called for by the public
creditors before the close Of the ensuing year should be
repid INTO the Treasury and held under notice TO crcd
Tors to receive II there that thereafter the Office of
commissioner OF Loans DC abolished the duties of the
Commissioners oftlIe Sinking Fund and the provisions
as To the fund itself suspended and such power devoved
on tins Department may be necessary to a settlement
OF that part of the debt which may then have been
demanded and the Bank charter soon expires 10
provide further, that the books and other papers connect
cd with the public debt should be and deposited
here, TO enable The Treasury guard against mistakes
ana frauds. The whole amount, unclaimed i'm posses
SION OF the Bank account of the public debt has been
reduced to SSs23, and though about to bc r,ncnted
by the transfer OF sufficient to the whole re-
sdue OF the outstanding debt it will probably not re-
main much larger at the close Of the ensuing year.
With alte Legislation ofhis kind, every thing will be
done by Congress which dee med necessary to close M
is hoped forever all the large public debt ofthcse
u States by the payment Of the whole Of it with pune
tuay and fidelity, 1t is gratifying reflect that our pub
lie credit nation has been raised high siand:ne
and large stock Of confidence acquired from others
which in such future eNgcncics likely to happen
sooner or later, IN all countries will aid to procure