The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-06-02
III. 3. CoRwIS, ESD.
IMPORTANT FACTS.

The following paragraphs are taken from lhe
Speech Of Hon. WIN. l.. GoGcIN, of Virginia, deli,
cred in the House Of Representatives, when tile
Treasury Note Fill was under consideration:
81 trust, when the resolution which had the
honor to offer in the carly part Of the session, in
regard to these contingent expenses, shall be con-
sidercd, that shall have the co operation of my
friends on this floor. hope that others also viii
unite with US. There abuses that arc rrnrilc-
cd even here that require reform, and tor proof l
need but refer 20 the contingent expenses Of this
and the other House.
In 1928, for this House they were but $4,000;
in 1885, they were $l0o950 in 1886, S2G0,OOO; in
1887 1926 900; ~ in rs, they had risen ohe enor.
nous sum Of 1878, 800. The contingent expenses
of the Senate in 1885 were Si2,452, and in lS'}S
they had risen TO the of $lS752 80. These
are facts proved by the records; and if they be mis-
stated, I wish gentcmen now 10 correct mo, as II
is not my purpose TO do injustice to any officer of
Government, or any Of the Departments.
have been often asked whether 1t was lact
that son of the President receives annual sala-
ry Of S. 800 FOR signing his father s name need
not here say it is so, as no one doubts II, or
can If he will look at tho appropriations; nor need
/ tell those who curious enough [" know that
the principa. gardner, who supcrintcnds those VINO
do so much to bean,ify and adorn the the public
walks, Ieceves his 81 200 also.
/ object not 10 any rXprnditnrc which is essen
tia to the business operations OF the Government;
Sc fe ceoondemn q" osG ony dat are useless un
called for and which no necessity demands Such,
amongst Others do | consider the salaries paid 10
the collectors OF some Of the ports as instances,
! will refer 70 the of the four revenue officers
at Saco in the State of Maine, who have heretofore
receiving 81 800, and collected no revenue at all
To the three at Edgartown in Massachusetts,
whose salaries amounted 10 $4,000. and the rev
paid in to 25 cents
To the six at New London, in Connccilcut who
received SD 900, and collected, paid into the
Treasury, the sum of s -.
And lastly, to the two at Saint Sarys, who were
paid ST. ,23G, and collected 81 35; besides others
that might be named.
portion ofths money which has thus been
wasted would have gone tn the People 1.-THE act for
distributing tho proceeds Of the sal" OF tue pubic
lands had been permitted to have gone into opera
tion-the act which withheld by him who had
previously sanctioned such distribution. The
portion of the State of Virginia alone would have
been "a 800 100; this sum would have, in my dis.
trct given TO the county of Bednd $12,9l0, to
the county of Henry $26 $50, and 10 the county of
Patrick $26 geo, which might have gone 20 the
education Of the youth Of the country to the pros.
ecution Of the public works. as well as 10 the les
senng Of the burdens of taxation, if kept togsthor
and dsbursed by the State. Not only was this re-
fused, but it is now said by the President that the
whole proceeds Of the public lands will be required
10 defray the expenses Of the Government "and
perhaps more"
1t is proposed too, by graduating the Irce of the
public land and by pre- emption laws, in effect to
give them away from the People of the old to the
new States--a measure which 1t is said by the
friends off will benefit the poor; but in truth II
will only benefit the rich capitalists and land com
panies who will purchase up the land IN bottles
and the man Of small capital must buy them mt an
advance. Sir, Virginia has claim to portion OF
these lands which she, in the first instance, be-
slowed, in part upon the General Government
She asks that enough, at least, be given her to sat
isy the claims of her old soldiers and their descend
ants. trust it will not be refused
Sir, repeat TINT there are abuses which we
must endeavor to reform; the country demands II
the people expect it-and the condition of the
Treasury requires it. 1t is easy to SEQ why the
Treasury is empty, and why 1t is that this bill re
quires "prompt and speedy action; it is TO feed
these hungry recipients Of the Executive bounty
men who came into office under the spoils system
and who now demand their share.
Let u.s. if we would pursue the proper course &c
repIensh the Treasury, lessen the expenses of the
Government; let us practise economy, and pursue
the plan of saving all that is unnecessarily c"nsmm
ed Let us require strict and rigid accountability
from ALL and let us guard the Treasury of tho PEG
pIo This, sir, you and myself and those witt
whom we are here associated connot effect nnald
ed; it must be the work of the ma ority OF TN
House; they can do it without our aid, yet the
shall have all the assistance they desire
am led to hope that a change in the ndmlnistr
,ion will be effected and that another will he p!t
ced at the head of affairs, TO guide the country
its onward march to promised greatness. Froi
such a change should anticipate many benefci;
results and my humble efforts shall he given
produce it.
II is said that when Russian husband negec
TO beat his wife for a month or two, she begins
O be alarmed at his indifference. A good thrasI