Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-02-21


stated the necessities of the government
correctly, vote for the appropriations,
and therefore the Wings are responsible
for the measures of the Administration |!
Sage conclusion! My ncighbor falls in
to the pit; help him out-and therefore
am responsible for his being there But
supposing this " insignificant minority
vote against the appropriation then they
arc a " factious opposition, who would
stop the wheels of government, to crafty
partizan malignity." This is the argu-
mcnt by which the Sentinel would prove
that the Wings arc responsible for the
enormous Expenditures of the present Ad-
ministratiou.
But now for the facts. The President
in his last message glorilics himself on
the score of economy, for having brought
his estimates down to twenty-six millions.
And how! By uniting in the estimate
ten millions, to meet some of the most
important measures recommended in
the message! A motion was made the
other day to appropriate half a million for
the Cumberland Road. The question
arose, whether this was included in the
estimate. No one could answer. 1t was
moved to Inquire of the President whether
this appropriation was recommended, or
not. This motion was sustained by the
wings, and uniformly opposed by the adj
ministration members. Why oppose an
inquiry of this kind! The question is
answered by Il member of the lower
House, in the following significant re-
marks; to which we invite the readers
special attention.
Mr. b. said lie would now turn to what the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Wick,) had intro
duced as personal to himself. and take up the is.
as to the righteousness of the course which the
present Administration had pursued in This matter.
Hc was glad that The Iouse had afforded him an
opportunity 10 meet that boast, lie desired anX.
iously 10 fix, f he could, the attention of every
member oflhe House, and of every fair man in the
country, upon the manner in which the President
had gone into the approaching canvass.
Sir said Mr.. b. that part of the Message which
relates 10 The expenditures is prepared with the
skill ola veteran politician. 1t has gone TO the
country far in advance of the estimate II has been
eagerly seized upon by parti-ans: You fnd it in
staring capitals in every village newspaper of the
Administration 1t contains a round assertion,
brief and poriable-such as any one can catch up
at The Cross Roads and readily carry home from
mill or market. He says That the expenditures Of
1889,
swil not in all probability, exceed lwenty-six mil
lions, or sic millions less than it was last wear.
With IA determinations, so far as depends upon,
me, 10 continue this reduction, have diieced the
estimates for 1910 10 be bjected TO the severest
scrutiny, and TO he limited 10 The absolute require.
menls Of the nubl" Ser.ice. they WIN lie IOuni
less than the expenditures Of 1899 by over flee
millions Of doars.'
Now, Mr.. Speaker, will any candid person deny
that this is calculated 10 make false impression
upon The country? What is The inference drawn
by any plain man! Doubtless that the President
has been anxiously engaged, day and night, in a
severe and laborlous scrutiny INFO abuses that the
pruning. knife has never been out Of his hand that
he has encountered iearlessly. and without regard
TO friend or foe, the odum and stubborn resistance
which relrcnchment must always provoke and
that he has brought down the expenditure at !.
rate 50 rapid lhat il the People but IT ELECT him il
may possibly disappear altogether.
Who will say that The credit thus claimed in The
n r. linn inst
due Let the friends of The Administration turn
to single instance in which reIrenchlnenl has been
brought about by Mr. Van Buren,. What Office
has he abolished what clerk even dispensed with
what foreign minister held TO his post. so as 10
save oulfil-wlIat abuse, in short of any kind cor
rected! II is notorious, and so the estimates show
that this boasled reduction is found in the aban.
donment OF military operations in Florida, which
under imbecliy aud mismanagement, had swelled
up 10 lrighIlul chWge, 1.-THE necessity for that
expenditure had ceased. the merit Of economy be.
longed not 10 the President but if. in irepidation
nj The approach Of the canvass, the war had been
ingloriously aband"ned or if the waste Of pub.
l'c property was 10 take new and disguised form
not SO readily Is imaIed in money, then there
oush, to be deeper seat iment of indignation thar,
might have been directed at mere empty cleo.
lioneering flourish
But 1t remained 10 point ont the most arlfnl
paragraph OF The Message. After clarifying him.
sell about the reduction. and promising great
things, " oJar as depends upon me-" he thus
gives clew TO his partsans, and prepares The
public mind 10 look with odium upon Congress:
"Ihese are circumstances that impose the ne
cess'ty OF rigid economy,and require its prompt aud
constant exercise. WITH THE LEGIsLAruRE
rests The power and duty of so adjusting the public
expenditure as 10 promote this end. Hy the uro
visions of the Constu ion il il only in consequence