The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-06-05

1860 dollars for alterations and repairs TO the
Presidents House. Now ii would be found that
this sum was made up of number of small items
all of which were perfectly reasonable But he
would tell the gentlemen from Pennsy vania that
his attack on such matters vas very small bust
uess indeed, and before he should conclude he
would point out to that gentleman much higher
game, if he felt disposed to pursue it.
In the first place, the gentleman had entirely
Inexperienced the character of the item of appro-
prialon 10 which he objected The aggregate IL
mount consisted Of many small items, and he felt
confident that when the gentleman understood how
that aggregate amount was made up, he would no
longer object to it, or deem it so very eXtrayaglnt
One of these items was, ''ior the annual repairs
Of the President House and furniture, 500 dollars.
Now, said }.r, Lincoln, would ask whose duty it
was to do this Was the President at liberty to
do it What tenant having lease ola house,
could hy law make alterations? And could the
President make alterations in house of which he
was the occupant for four years only : Had he
II right to do this, even were he disposed to do it
nj his own expense No ; II was the duty of the
Government, who first built the house. to keep it
in repair, and shelter lis occupant from the rain and
winds of heaven. Did not the Government build
the house for the accommodation of lis presiding
officers, and would that government be Justified in
permitting ii to fall to peccs and 20 to ruin, for
want of II small appropriation to keep it in repair
This sum he would tell the gentleman, was eNch-
siyely for repairs to the house, the word 'tilrni-
turc' having been inserted merely as Il matter of
form, observed in all former uppropriatons-Ihc
money was not intended to purchase II single
Article of furniture, but was exclusively for the
house and he would appeal lshc gentleman from
Pennsylvania, or any other gentleman, whether an
appropriation of 800 dollars for repairs to Il house
that cost million, was not II very moderate sum.
Besides, il Gen. Harrison was to occupy the
house, and he trusted that would soon be the ease
il ought 10 be kept in good condition. For his part
he was not wiling that Gen. Harrison should enter
IL house in dilopdaied condition, lie wished to
have it ut least, provided with the necessary ar
cles furniture, such for instance, us few chairs
To sit upon, for the accommodation of visitors and
private individuals.
Another item composing the aggregate amount,
was for the service Of gardner 100 dollars here
this man was employed 20 attend to the public
gardens and grounds adjoining the President :
House, and was in fact attending 10 the business of
Government for who would undertake 10 say that
those gardens We're of amy benefit To the Prcsl-
dent They were open to the public and belonged
to the people, and were kept in order more for the
qualification of members Of Congress than for the
occupant Of the White House.
Nr i'' than alluded 10 another ZEN Tor 'ne p'!-
mcht Tor II lew Ahofers NJ one dollar per Hoy, ana
asked II was l~e'y me fr's"'h' "@"'a n''r 'o'I'
nno'rrS 'oL hIS own ron,t''''n'u' .e'""';t I'"'
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