Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-08-02
EXPENSES OF THE GOVERN
MENT

MENT.
The Clerk of the House of Representatives
has published report detailing the various
appropriations made by Congress at the late
and the extra session. The following is the
summary Of the whole:
Extra Session
For the support of the Gov
eminent and suppression Of
Indian h0stilities for the year
1887 S2.lOe. 900 90
I'd Session 25M Congress
Civil and diplomatic $3.50 $50 %
Army S 1917 $50 10
Fortifications lois AS 90
Protection of the Northern from
tier CPS 500 90
Navy 6.O62. l36 20
Revolutionary and other pen
sioners 2.O5s.5 32 62
Current expenses Of the Indian
Department 5000 .427 "a
Preventing and suppressingIns
dian hosliliiies 7.739.4lO 4l
iiarbors ,535 ,OO9 SO
Light Houses 307 ,0lO Sc
M isoelianeous $4,000 90
Private claims 45,l03 60
S3S Alb ,064 81
Thirty-six millions for the year 1885 ,
This is a goodly sum TO he spent by an Ad
ministration which boasts OF its economy and
might have been deemed little extraya.
giant, ii squandered by an Adams or CLAY,
in state OF high national prosperity. But
being demanded by Democratic Party 10
times OF public pressure and commercial EN-.
barrassments, il must be held strictly econ
omicaI, and in fact the smallest sum which
in future will suffice 10 meet the current ex.
penses OF the Government. The consump.
tion OF ID millions in MIR. Adams time was
proclaimed by The friends Of economy and
reform, who now have possession of the Go,
vernment, blighting TO the morals and de.
struc,ive OF the liberties Of the country.
lhirty-slx millions, however, in their i'm
maculaIe hands should excite no fears nor
justify any murmurings among the people
This is very comfortable doctrine. no
doubt, for those who share the spoils, but
those (the people, who have TO nav them,
will, We trust, entertain very different SEN
timents.
We recollect, that Mr. Rives and some
others OF The economists Of 1923, laid down
the broad doctrinc-(by tho way, 6lched
from Dunning and Fox, } that the patronage
OF the Government, is in proportion to its dis
bursements-and that the expenditure Of Is
hhhioue iuch SdNo VIC r euerat fXcCUtIve
almost regal powers, and threatened the We.
ry existence of the Republic. II this doc.
irine was true, at that day, and NC believe
! II was, il is not less true now.-And in this
| aspect, il is a matter deserving the graves,
consideration Of The people, whether they " i'll
sustain an administration which has made sc
| millions the minimum amount for the an.
! nual supper, Of Government Ifsuch an ex.
penditure is calculated, as nsintained, 10
| change the character OF our institutions, and
undermine the morals of the country, il CON,
not too early and too deeply engage the pub,
lie mind.
II is idle to say, that the administration is
not responsible for the expenditures, on the
ground that il Can only consume what Con
gress has 6rst appropriated Those who hold
power must DO answerable to The country
for the exercise of it. II they neglect, OF
are unable to exert it in manner cont ucivs
to the public veal, they should be- made 10
surrender il into other and moro efficient
hands. The fact is, no bill Can become a law
| without the signature of the President, and
his veto has never yet, that VIC have heard
been applied 10 bill appropria,ing money
| On him therefore, and his advisers, rests the
responsibility of the corrup, and profuss
waste Of the public money - IYhg.