Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-04-24
the public monies, be left in such clouds and such


darkness.
Sir, one word as to the manner of making esti-
mates of expenditure for the consideration of Con-
gress. ii is a plain and simple business, though |
from its nature, it cannot be very precise, and
cannot see any necessity for envelopng ii in so |
much obscllrlty and uncertainty.
Appropriations are of three classes.
In the first place, there certain existing or
standing appropriations, which need not he renew
ed annually. Such is the sum of 100000 expen- |
ded every year for arming the militia; and such
are some of the classes Of pensions, and few other
! small charges.
In the second place, there are the large class, in
which the charge is created by law, but animal APP
preparations are required to enable the Treasury 10
dsbrse the sums necessary for its payment. This
includes the Army and Navy, the civil list, and
| list of miscellaneous objects.
| In the third place, there are, as we all know, |
many appropriations made by Congress for special
objects, public Or private, and those often amount
| 10 onSdcralle sums. Private claims, roads and |
canals, building of lighthouses, Indian treaties, |
many objects recommended by the Executive itself;
| and these require every year, greater or less |
amount OF money from the Treasury. The Secre-
tary says that the expenditures of this description,
which may be sanctioned by Congress annually, |
are very uncertain in their amount This is true
| but then, as these expenditures, IN every year,
| amount to a considerable sum, and have done 50
| from the very beginning of the Government, can
| any Just or comprehensive view of the probable
|
shall leave all such out. It's quite impossible that
some such expenditures should not be made. Now,
| in these estimates and recommendations, find no
provision whatever for any objects of thus kind.
The estimates are strictly confined 10 the Army,
| the Navy, and the civil Inst. ] find no allowance
| for a single dollar which we might vote away here
| upon private claim. fe, the Secretary tells MS
that, If ire will keep uithin the estimates, the
means ,ciHhoM out. But he must know, should
have thought, that we cannot keep within he c>i-
| mates. 1t is more than probable, Judging from the
past, that he himself, before the session Is ont, Will
| call for appropriations not within the estimates.
And does he mean, IN that case, to throw the blame
| OF any deficiency which may arise on Congress,
| by saying that Congress did not keep within the
| Estimates.
FIVE may believe the President, and the Sec
retares have fulfilled his directions, there is nothing
| in any of these estimates which is not required
| hy the absolute wants ofthe Government. But we
know, sir, that there things, not in the cStl-
mates, in regard to which the wants will he abso-
| lutte; for instance, the private claims, upon which
we passing here every day, and for many OF
| which we must provide, if we mean TO do JUSTICE
Besides, do we not see, and know, that in all human
probability various other occasions of appropra-
| ton will arise. Will there be no contingencies for
the war in Florida. No expense for Indian treaties.
Is 1t not possible that events may arise Oh the
| Northeastern frontier involving heavy charges.
And again, sir, does the Administration abandon
the Cumberland road Here is no estimate tor a
dollar on that head of expenditure. Yet trust an
appropriation for that object will be made. shall
certainly vote tor it myself. And harborS on the
lakes--are provisions for those places of refuge
and safety TO lake marines to be again postponei.
They are not in the estimates. Is no improvement
of any other harbor new light house, and moth
| ing else, which the protection of Atlantic or M
| land commerce may require, TO he undertaken or
provided for. Or, since these things are not with
in the estimates, fCongress should provide for them
is Congress to be reproached for It's conduct, and
made answerable for deficiencies.
| ! repeat, sir, that the Executive Departments
must well know that, for some ofthe>e objects, APP
preparations will of necessity be made; and | re-
peat, therefore, that it seems to me to have been
their duty 10 have presented such plan for receipt
and expenditure, as should have embraced them,
and provided for them. The amount, agree, could
not be well toreseen. But it must have been fore
seen-it could not hut have been toreseen--that
something would be necessary; and yet the e>ti-
mates make allowance for nothing.
There is sir, in all these Executive commmica-
tons, constant repetition of sound general max
inns about the importance of economy. | hope
the virtue will he practi>ed, well preached.
But IN my OPINION there Is no l1st economy IN re-
fuslnS appropriations TO important, necessary, and
useful public objects. Let economy begin by cut
ting oiluseless objects, and diminishing the expense
of accomplishing such as are useful. Let push
its reform to the reduction of the cost of collecting
the revenue, Let it take care of expenditures, by
trusting the public moneys 10 honest hands. Let it
reduce Offices, wherever they can he reduced In
all these and other like things, let exert its Salu.
tary influence But is the Cumberland road to stop
from an impulse of economy. Are the lakes to he
without harbor>, from considerations OF economy.
Are important contingencies in public affairs not 10
be reasonably provided for, from reasons Of econ
ony. What sort of economy would that be.
Sir, take that great public virtue, true econo-
my, 10 consist, not in an undi>nguishng neglect
or refusal TO appropriate money, but IN careful
selection ofimporiant and necessary objects ofex-
penditure, in the frugal application of means to ac-
complish these objects, and in enforcing an exact
f and puncual discharge of duty by every officer
charged either with the collection of money, or
with any expenditure, great or small. This is my
idea of wise and pratcal economy, such as be-
comes us to exercise, and such as the country will
approve, But II is of little value, no value at
all, that Executive communications should relear>e
to us general economical ma xinls unless they show
us what objects OF expenditure may he disregard
ed, or in what other way savings may be made -
And II would be especially ediyiug fihe>c gene
raj admonitlonS should be accompanied and en-
forced by some striking and brilliant examples SCI
by the Heads of Departments themselves. pre-
sumo that no injustice towards Congress is intend
ed, but must say that In many OF these cOmmu-
nlcatlons there are things which seem calculated
to assert great merit for economy in the Executive
, Departments, and which are but too well calcula-
ted 10 throw upon us an apparent want of that vr-
| tue. IL be required OF Congress to keep Ms ap-
, preparations within the estimates of the Depart
| ments, these Departments ought, in their estlna-
ties TO comprehend all objects which they know
or have reason to believe Congress must provide
, | for
Mr.. President, l do not know the opinions OF
other gentlemen, and speak only for mysel; but
my opinion Is, that existing provisions for re-
5 | venue are not adequate. ] am aware that one
3 branch of expenditure, that Of pensions, is rapidly
decreasing but others are quite likely increase,
G and we all know what fall in duties is to take
5 place. in no great length of time. Looking TO the
many useful and important objects, which think
ough, to engage the attention ofCongress it seems
TO me to be time that further provisions for income
should be made. And we have the means at hand
r There are articles of import on which we might,
1 | immediately. OnlnlOn. lay cOnSlderl bic