Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-04-25

States IN the Confederacy. enlarged ite
boundary Of settlement, TO near i've times
It's extent ia 1890. iEcreased its population
from less than four. to seventeen millions.
and extended its post routes from = $40 TO
near l35, 900 miles" was naturally TO bs
anticipated. In this branch. however, we
find heavy items, that ought not 10 be
there, and which we have forced through
Congress by the vote OF the Opposition.
with the ard Of some Of tho supporters OF
the Adminisiration in the sections OF
country peculiarly benefited. For ex-
ample the appropriations for pensions in
the present year. amount 10 Si.24 900.
and the number o5 pensioners 10 81. 600;
exceeding the whole pension list Of 1879.
for revolutionary and other services. near
three and half millions. The estimates,
in 1880. for improving certain barbors and
the navigations q certain creeks and ~
ves. amount TO Sl.7I3.00O; whilst the
expe nditures in this branch, which were
unknown until 1926, amounted, in 1870
only TO S3l5.000. Against these, the
State Rights Republicans have always vo-
ted. The legislative expenses for TIE first
ten years Of tie GoveFnmentwerc snnu-
ally or an average about 8 III 900. Whilst
in 1888. they were s92S, GOO. and at the
late session, they are said 10 exceed by
90 per cent. the amount Of any other shor,
session Of Congress.
This extrssagant increase has principal.
ly occurred in the contingent expenses Of
The two Houses, by the printing OF thou
sands Of 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 have not bee u
members for many years past. The pub
lie will scarcely believe that there has
been paid. or there remains 10 be paid. on
two Jobs of this nature. near SSO0, O00-
We will refer you to The journals Of Con-
gress TO ascertain by whose means these
expenses ara incurred; but the mode Of
passing them is often by tncking such sp.
preparations TO the general appropriation
bill, and refusing 10 separate them, so as
10 test the question by fair and diFec,
vote. An instance Of this kind occurred
the very last day Of the late session.
In comparing other Federal expendi-
lures with :hose of former years-as for
instance OF 1929 when President Jackson
came into ofiice-i, will be found that
there are many items included in 1893. OF
occasional or temporary character, not
included in the former. and with which
no Administration isjusuy charge able
Ofthess, we will mention one million dol.
lars for suppressing and preventing Indian
hos.ilities; six millions seven bundled
aud forty thousand for the same, and for
the Cherokee treaty; Removed Of Indians,
anauilies. Sc, Sc 6iU, O0G-Appropria.
lions for tie Post Office, not embraced in
any bill ill 1896. and now only nominal,
because paid out of,he hostages, 81. $50,
GOO: protection Of the Northern frontier
! S635. 600, and a nominal item in the Ma
W appropriation bill. being the transfer
Of an unexpended balance to the year.
1899 * 1910. Sl.oO0, 00O-amouniing to
! BIZ. O.i5, COO.
| These sums. as we'll as the others be-
! fore mentioned, are included in the mp.
preparations Of 1888 and help to consii.
tuie that aggregate Of 3Smillions, OF which
we have heard so much. 1.-THE situation
Of the country rendered them necessary,
no blame can attach 10 any one. II other.
wise, all parties must share il. II NAV
also in connexion with this subject, be
observed. that the Government has beer
charged with more than $4,000. 600, re-
ceive6 under The French and Nenpo.i.au
treaties. which was paid over TO our Gill
Zeus entitled 90 receive IL.
Several defn,csiions OF Federal officers
lately brought TO light. have directed The
public attention 10 that subject. The most
serious OF them occurred in the Custom
House at New York. and was noticed by
thH V,racfIarN - h.. Il T..
states. that the case was one which impe-
ra;ively claimed the attention Of Congres,
and furnished the strongest motive for the
establishment Of more severe and secure
system for the safe keeping and disburse.
mcni Of the public moneys, than any iha
bad heretofore existed. 1t seems proper
a, all events, no adds. shat BY an early
enactment. similar 10 that OF other coun.
tries. the application Of public money by
an officer Of Government; TO private use,
should be made felony, and visited with
severe and ignomInious punishment. The
Government III must be admitted. has been
from its commencement comparatively
fortunate in this respect. But the ap.
pointing power cannot always be we'll adj.
vised IN its selections. and The experience
" VNSig NoNuNl tdS sHtWn lHht puullC
officers are not OF oil times, proof against
temptation" Ia pursuance Of his earnest
recommendation, the finance committee
Of the Senate prepared. with geas care
bill TO guard the defslcaiions Of public
oiiicerE; to provide more efIeeiually against
the preparation Of fraud. aud its conceal.
meni, by new checks upon the officers
and 70 punish these violations Of their
public trusts as felony; which bill passed
the Senate without serious opposition
but IN the House, where recently the
! Opposition have conif9led every measure
Il was not ac,ed upon. We might appesI
10 these faets, 20 show gho are On xious Ia
apply remedy 10 this evil and who ore
Indifferent 10 u, ~ long - u may serve
The purposes Of party. That the Admin.
isiFatiye Department ~ tho Government
needs reform, We doubt not. and thai