Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-09-19
SPEECH OF MIR. OGLE.
OF PENNSYLVANIA
On the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Blu.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Concluded

On the Grill and Diplomatic Appropriation Blu
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Concluded
The Presidents House, from the time of its
destruction in 1914, was not refnshed and occu.
pied until Sept, 1917. 1t was then taken pos
session Of by Mr.. Monroe. The furniture in the
former building had been destroyed with it, and
the little that had been purchased afterwards, for
the accommodation of President Madison, in the
house which had been rented for him, Uhe eastern
end of the Seven Buildings,) was only second
hand furniture, and Of trihing value; there was
not carpet in the house, the floor having been
covered with blue and green baize, which was en-
tirely worn out; indeed, it is said there was not
an article of furniture used by Mr.. Madison suited
to the new building. Mr.. Monroe, however had
considerable furniture, Of good quality, most Of
which he had procured abroad as American Min
lister, and the residue for his accommodation as Sec
rotary of State. This furniture, including small
service Of plate, he placed in the Presidents
house, at valuation OF (9,071 224) fixed upon it
by two of the most respectable citizens Of the Dis
trict. About the same period, an order, limited
in amount to twelve thousand dollars, was trans.
mtted by Mr.. Monroe to Messrs. Russell and
La Fargo, at Havre, with instructions to procure
some articles Of furniture, "strong, massive and
durable" TO be manufactured for the rooms for
which they were respectively intended These
gentlemen, acting under the erroneous impression
that the house of the President was to be furnish
ed in the style Of the kings palace, devated great
ly from the instruction Of Mr.. Monroe, not only
in the richness and splendor OF the articles pur
chased, but actually up their bills to 90, 0S5 IS
francs, or $l9,417 IT, being $6,4l1 IT higher
than the extent of the order which they had re-
ceived. All this splendid French furniture was
forthwith shipped to America, and Congress sub.
sequently granted the necessary appropriation to
cover the deficit. Although Mr.. Monroe was
somewhat unfortunate in the selection ofhs agents,
he was little to blame in the whole affair; for
many Of the articles deemed necessary for the
Presidents House could not at that day have been
procured in the United States; and, besides, the
Statute which directs 'tha all furniture purchased
for the Presidents house shall be- as far as pract
cable, Of American or domestic manufacture"
was not enacted until May %, 1926. The (urni-
ture OF the Presidents house was further increas-
ed by the purchase of articles in Philade pha and
other Atlantic cities, from time TO time during the
administration of Mr.. Monroe amounting to
$22,511 COZ. The entire sum, therefore, inves.
ted in furniture by him was $4,000, viz
Private furniture, appraised at $9,071 224
Bought in France, 1S,417 II
Purchased in Philadelphia, &C., 22,511 COZ
$4,000 90
This sum was paid by three several appropria.
ton bills passed by Congress, to.wit
March 3, 1917, for 100000
April 20, 1918, for 10000
April 20, 1918, for deficiency, 10000
$4,000
To the rich stock bought by Mr.. Monroe there
was added, during the administration OF John @.
Adams, other furniture, including service OF
plate, taken from Mr. Crawford at the time he
left Washington, upon retiring from the head Of
the Treasury Department, all of which amounted
to the sum OF $4,000, and for which Congress
had granted the necessary appropriations, viz:
February 25, 1925, $4,000
March 2, 1927, 5000
The entire cost, therefore, of the furniture in
the Presidents house on the day the reormers took
possession, was precisely $4,000 But all the
fine things which had been gathered into the pal.
ace by Monroe and Adams were not grand enough
for reformers; they must be provided with huge
barn-doors size mantel and pier mirrors, in golden
frames; magnificent cut.gass chandeliers royal
and imperial Wiltons, Italian gold slab pier ta
bles, golden stars, golden rays, Turkish divans,
rIenCn cOmlOrtaOleS, lOTelSn cut wine COOlcTS
barrel-shape flute decanters with cone shoppers
and one hundred dollar artificial flowers Oul
reformers would not be satisfied without the dulcet
notes Of the rosewood piano forte (octaves) MOI
could they enjoy their French cookery without
the zest oil golden spoon. Oh! how they onget
after the genuine democratic gold and silver ser
vice Of the Russian Baron, lie General Baron
de 1hyu. Hence our relormers have expended
seventy thousand six hundred and eighty dollars
and forty cents to purchase all these locoloco bau
bles. The furniture, therefore, at the presen
time, in the Presidents palace, cost the People
the sum of $1406S0 49, What sir, will thu
plain farmers of the country say-whal will our in
dustrious and frugal mechanics say--what will thu
poor daily laborers say, about the expenditure o
ss140,680 40 in providing furniture for one house
and such furniture! Is there locofoco within
this Hall of the Peoples Representatives who
will justify this extravaganza? If there be, de
nounce him as the tool of the Executive. TIL,
plain republican citizens of the United State
will not excuse Martin Van Buren, for paying 70
a bunch of artificial flowers, TO adorn his table
larger sum than the yearly wages Of poor hire
ling; ay sir, more than the annual pension grant
ed by the nation to the brave and heroic soldier
who endured the seven years toll of our rcvolu
tionary struggle.
Immediately after the insal laton nj N YOrl