Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-08-11
THE WAY THE PUBLIC MON
Ely Is SQUANDERED.

ILLUSTRATION OF VAN BUREN, DEMOCRACY.
Remarks of Mr.. Charles Onle. member OF
Congress from Pennsylvania--an orr
ginal Jackson man-on the Geaeral
Appropriation Bill.
The House being in Committee of
the Whole on the bill making appropri-
atoms for the civil and Diplomatic ex-
penses ofthe Government FOR the year
1910, Mr.. Ogle, of Pennsylvania,
moved to amend the bill by striking
out the following clause: "For altera-
lions and repairs Of the Presidents
house and furniture, for purchasing
trees, shrubs, and compost, and for su-
perlntendence of the grounds, three
thousand six hundred and sixty-6ve
dollars"
Mr.. Ogle said-Mr. Chairman, |
consider this is very important item
in the bill-not as to the amount, but
as to TIE principles involved in it. l
doubt much the policy Of this Govern
ment in granting the Chief Magistrate
emoluments or revenues of any kind,
over and above the fixed salary paid
to that officer out of the Treasury of
the United States. Although most of
our former Presidents were in the en-
| joyment of some of these adventitious
revenues, l am well aware that none
of them retired from Office with an
over-abundant fortune: for, sir, no
former Chief Magistrate ever acted up
on the principle VIGOROUSLY adopted
by the present incumbent, Of spending
the money Of the People ,oith u larish
hand, and, at the same time,, sariAg hts
orn ,gith sordid pdrsimony. The Pres
ident, without including many valuable
incidental emoluments, whereof will
speak before | conclude, receives more
than quddruplc the sum paid to the
head of either Of the Departments
while the current private disbursement:
Of the incumbent Of that high station
are certainly not greater than the eX
penditures Of ono of his Secretaries
Is there a gentleman on this floor WIN
does not believe the present Ceief Ma
gistrate "lays up" yearly, from $4,000
, to $50, 900, and all hard money a
! that g.?
But, Mr.. Chairman, l object to thi
: appropriation on higher grounds. | re
: sist the principle on which it is deman
ded as anti-democratic-as runnin
d counter in its tendency TO the pIair
Y simple, and frugal notions of our re
!, publican People. And l put it to yol
is sir, and to the free citizens Of tn
e country, whose servant the Presldel
& is, to say whether, in addition to I'll
~ large sum ofoNE HUNDRED THoUsAN
DOLLARS which he is entitled to r.
=. ceive for q single term Of JoRr gear
i. they are disposed to maintain, for b
II private accommodation. A ROY A
n ESTABLISHMENT at the cost
ne the nation? Will they longer feel
We clined to support their chjcf serram
II aPALACE as splendid as that Of {
Cesars, and as richly adorned as I
81 proudest Asiatic mansion? Have I
III People chosen that servant to super
~. tend the great and diversified Intere
h. of the nation; or will they consent Il
his time shall be occupied with
NO vanities. luxuries, and pleasures
or life? Do they demand that his tale
ent and all the energies Of his mind sh
TO- be devoted tothe discharge OF the p
'ur ner duties of his stewardship, or v
Ia they agree that he shall lapse into
same style and eGeminacy which {
eel tinruish tie dscellers IN Other Ptdc
err sa Have the affairs Of the people been
ion advantageousIy managed that the $
nee want especially appointed to take cha
! over them may, without detrlmen
lr- the Commonwealth, sink into "le'
uld of manners" and abandon the care
the public service, TO "eat' drlnA'
hea be merry?"
81, eIS Although have a peculiar "d'
,rto chantment'' to discuss on this floor
rel pics which have an appearance OF
lrce v,olving personal rather Than poli!l
lar- considerations, still / am constral
pop bv a sense of duty to offer some
pa- marks in relation to the incidental
vol enues-the annual profits and expe
: ~: y. tnres of the President of the On
i, an. States-the magnificent splendor o
Il nalace, and the pompous ceremoI
sub. tbat .shold sway" at his republ
lew. court. and which are by many
must meaning people imagined to be eq'
GRIP indispensable $50 preserrc inc a'ga
one Of a Democratic Chief Masistra
of the despot on throne. | ice
l0e' clined, however, TO examine ,nese
iects with all "decency and resi-
9 tag for the high Office" now file
P"'0 Martin Van Buren,, aud trust W
ana, proper disposition "not TO speal
- 81 the ruler Of my people" Bul
7 am not ignorant that, in pursnln
Of the course which | have marked {
and will become necessary to tread
grounds that in former ages {
NJ I'D were deemed, and In all d