Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-05-09

|
! if, IN making this historical review ofopin
ions, we did not refer 10 the views OF those
| who did not approve the system suggested by
The President, nor acquiesce in the argu-
ments by which il has been supported We
do not hesitate 10 admit that many Of them
have been just as honest in their opinions, as
| any one OF The advocates OF the Independent
treasury They are, we cannot doubt, as
much attached TO The great principles of The
Administration. and as anxious for the re.e>
| lection of Mr.. Van Buren, aga inst his Wig
opponents. IL suits, therefore, neither with
| their rights nor our principles, TO prescribe
| them for their course. Nor is il required by
this Convention, that they will change their
opinions, or expected they will compromise
their principles of disapprobation 10 the In
dependentrreasurys ys,em-relying on their
hearty support of tie general ADMINISTERS
! tion.-It was their deliberate opinion, that
the Independent Treasury system was cal
culated 10 extend the Executive power, and
to endanger the safety of the public funds,
more than well regulated Deposite sy stem
in the State Banks. Most of them concur
red with the President, that the public de-
posi!es should be entirely separated from
the discounts and business Of the Banks;
and where they differed, they avow-
ed il TO be on single question of expedien-
the party or the Administration. To such
men, we are most anXions 10 extend the
right hand OF fellowship, because they are
believed To be faithful TO The essential piinci.
Piles OF the Republican party, and as ardent
as any portion of the Democracy, in the sup
port OF our Presidential candidate.
Entertaining, then, as very large major
iy of this Convention do, opinions co>inci-
dent with those of Mr.. Van Buren, on the
great measure OF an independent Treasury,
we dIsclaim all intention OF making ii test
of political orthodoxy, or ground of politi
cal prescription. We are willing 10 leave
the subject 10 the sure and silent operation OF
public opinion by which it must stand or
fall, being satisfied that. fright, it must e.
ventually succeed and il wrong, that time
and full discussion must establish lis ineXpe
diency. Ii will not prevent us from uniting
with the Administration Who differ from US
on this point, in the endeavor 10 secure the
ascendancy OF principles, we deem yet more
important, and we trust 10 see them ANNA
ted by the same tolerant spirit. Our poiiti-
cal opponents, indeed, may attempt 10 fan
The flame of civil dissenIion by insinuating
10 The weaker portion OF our party, that II is
prescribed and denounced by The stronger
but we should hope that they will take coun-
sci from their own friends, not their oppo-
sustain Republican Administration, they
will disappoint the expectations oiihose who
! are counting on our diuisiOns.
We cannot anticipate all the charges
which may be brough, against the present
administration of our affairs, by unscrupu-
lous opponents; hut there are TWO subjects
which have already been much perverted
We alluds 10 the increase of Federal eXpeD-
ditures, and to the defaiCations OF public off,
GERS. On these subjects, we wish TO DE dis
tinctly understood. and we desire to give
| you the fullest information. We are advo-
Gates Tor economy in our expenditures, for
The most rigid accountability in every de-
| partment OF The Administration; and we
have seen with regret, that the one has great,
| ly increased, and that the other is moi suffi-
GENTLY enforced. But slight attention 10
the facts will satisfy YOU, that neither the
present Administration, nor the Republican
party, as party, are responsible Tor these
evils.
! In respect 10 our expenditures some Of
them are permanent, and others occasional
and extraordinary. That there should be
steady increase IN the ordinary civil, militia
ry and naval expenditures OF the Govern.
ment OF country, (which in SO short peri.
cd doubled the number o. States in The Con.
iederacy, enlarged lis boundary OF settle
meni 10 near five times its extent in 1890,
| increased IFS population from less than four,
| 10 seventeen millions, aud extended its
post routes from SIS to near 1855 900 miles,"
was naturally TO be anticipated. In this
branch, however, we find heavy items, tina;
| ought not 10 be there, and which we have seen
forced through Congress by the vote of the
! Opposition, with the aid of some of The sup
p0rters OF The Administration in the sections
OF The country peculiarly benefited For
example The appropriations for pensions in
The present year, amount TO 81 ,24l 600, and
The number OF pensioners to AZ 600; excec-
ding The whole pension list of 1929, for rev.
oiutIonary and other services, near three an
/ a bali millions. The estimates, in 1899, for
improving certain harbors and The nayiga-
/ tIon OF certain creeks and rivers, amount TO
| Sl,T3,OO0; whilst The expenditures in this
| branch, which were unknown until 1926. a,
mounted in 1929 only TO S5l5 900. Against
these, The State Rights Republicans hav all
ways voted. The Legislative expenses for
The brst ten years OF the Government were
annually on an average about SI71 600,
whilst IN 1888, they were 1925, 900, md al
The late session, they are said 10 exceed by
oO per cent. the amount o! any other short
session Of Congress.
This extravagan; increase has principally
occurred in The contingent expenses Of The
two Houses, by the printing OF thousands o
documents, IN many instances OF no use and
by furnishing members with books, and not
only those who are actually in Congress, but
others who haze moi been members for many
years past. The public will scarcely believe
that here has been Maid or there remains 10