Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-30
From the Republican Banner.
ExTRAvAGANT EXPENDITURES,


ng carried out by Mr.. Van Buren, (who
opposed Madison and the admission of Mis- |
'ouri; voted for free negro suffrage to be
attended TO all those who possess $3.50
worth OF property, and against its extern
non to improperly white men, revolution
ary patriots though they might be; voted
Tor all the tariffs and for toll gates upon
he Cumberland Road) and his Federal
leaders, who cali themselves Democrats
ION the SOth day of September last at
time when the government pretended TO be
so poor, that it had to borrow money to the
of millions; or what is the same
thing to issue treasury notes bearing inter.
est to that amount, there was then in the
hands of agents of the Government unac-
counted for, to the amount Of near fifteen
millions of dollars, nearly three hundred
tcdggon loads, had il been in silver. That
this statement is true, appears from Docu-
ment No. 2, furnished by the Government
TO Congress, at the commencement of the
last session.
1st. There was IN the hands of the off.
GERS and agents ofthe Quartermaster Cen
erals, and unaccounted for on the 30th !
day Of September last, eight hundred and
twenty thousand nine hundred and eighteen
dollars.
2nd. On the same day there was in the |
hands of the agents ofthe Medical Depart
ment unaccounted for, fifteen thousand |
seven hundred and sixteen dollars.
3rd. On the same day there was in the
hands of the agents ofthe Paymaster Gen.
erals Department unaccounted for, eight
hundred and ten thousand, six hundred and
forty -four dollars. See Doc. 2, p. l42 !
4th. On the same day, there was in the
hands of the Commissary General, and
unaccounted for, twenty-nIne thousand Sc
ven hundred and twenty-four dollars [See
Doc. No. 2, page l4s.
9Th. On the same day there remained
in the hands of the agents of the Engi-
neering Department unaccounted for, two
millions ninety -four thousand eight hun
dred and sixteen dollars. See Doc. No.
2, p. 1877.
6. On the same day there remained in
the hands of the agents to the Topograph-
ical Bureau unaccounted for, forty. FIVE
thousand nine hundred and sixteen dollars.
[See Doc. No. 2, p. 35l.
Z. On the same day, there remained in
the hands of the agents of the Ordnance
Department and unaccounted for, one hum
dred and thirty eight thousand eight hun.
dred and sixty-one dollars. See Doc.
No. 2, p. 395.
s. On the same day, there remained in
the hands of the agents of Indian Affairs,
and unaccounted for, two millions four
hundred and ninety .one thousand four hum
drcd and eghty-four dollars. [See Doc.
No. 2, p. sos.
9. On the same day, their remained in
the hands of another set of agents attached
to the department of Indian Affairs, unac-
counted for, six millions five hundred and
forty seven thousand five hundred and
sixty -one dollars. [See Doc. No. 2, page
SOIL
Thus you see, that while the govern
ment was actually borrowing money, it
had in the hands of its agents, unaccoun-
ted for, near fifteen millions of dollars on
the 18th September. 1898.
Of the aforementioned sums of money,
il is already ascertaned that about eighty
thousand dollars had been lost TO the Gov
eminent, by the defalcation of two of the
agents in whose hands il was placed, and
how much more of it has been lost, and
will be lost, it is impossible to tell, but that
much of it will be lost there can be no
doubt.
The contingent expenses of the House
. | 0f Pa1 bo' e.
the year 1889, exclusive of the members
daily pay and milage,) amounted to the
enormous sum of two hundred and seven.
ty-two thousand dollars. Some of the
, items of which, | am sure, will greatly
surprise you. One item Of three hundred
and sixty eight dollars is for making pens
: for the members.-Did you imagine, fel.
low. citizens, that you were sending mem.
bers that could not make their own pens
or were too lazy to do so ? Did you i'm.
aglne that large sum of money was to be
taken out of the public Treasury for ma.
king pens for the members of Congress
when they are furnished with pen.knives
at the public expense, and quilts, to make
pens for themselves. Other items in this
enormous bill of contingent expenses, are
r equally extravagant and disgusting. Some
< of which | will quote from document No
e 6, of the third session of the last Con
d gress.
The sum of twenty two dollars anC
: twenty five cents is charged for Snuff.
= The sum of five hundred and ten dollars
. is expend for Folders and seals.
q The sum of six hundred and ninet,
eight dollars is charged for Cartridge Pa
e per.
i The sum of three hundred and sixty
IS eight dollars is charged far Damask ant
Moreens, for what use is not stated.
The sum of one hundred and NINETY
two dollars is expended for one dozen o
Chairs; sixteen dollars each Chair.
i. The sum of twenty'six hundred ant
a fifty three dollars is expended for carpet
ing the hall for the House of Representa-
, tives.
The sum of one hundred dollars is ex
|, pended for washing towels.
. The sum of four thousand three hundre
; and sixty six dollars is expended for hors
= hire.
: The sum of one hundred and forty fiv
dollars is expended for one single newspa
l i9 per 1.-THE Globe) and this is only one out {
{" many.
u These are but few out of many of tn
- wastefnI expenditures exhibited IN the Ii:
Vi oc confinoent ovnonsos of the Houca >