Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-08-24
THE VAN buren, DEBT.

Tho Journal of Commerce Of Friday last contains
the following paragraph
Mai Contractors. The crippled condition Of the
Post Office Department is clearly shown by the fact
tina, mail contractors feel obliged to attend the session
OF Congress and urge an appropriation which shall en-
able the Department 10 pay them the arrearapes on
their contracts. The former and presen, Postmaster
admit that the Departments largely in debt TO these
contractors. One of the contractors in public appeal
states, that the number of contractors is about three
hundred who have dependant on them, hireliugs
and contractors, more than thirty thousand persons
These with their families, number more than one hun
dred thousand persons.
The "criPped condition" of the Departments gener.
ally as handed over to the present by the late admin
israton, may be inferred from the above. 1t is at
length pretty well understood that Van Burcnism ex
PEELED from office by indignant People, lett every
thing at "s1es and sevens" The series of "experi-
men:s' upon commerce and currency, instituted by
General Jackson and Martin Van Buren,, had not only
beggarded the People but emped the public Treasury.
While on the one hand the wrctchcd policy Of the Van
Buren, administration had greatly reduced the revenues
of the Government, its criminal extayagance had ad-
ded vastly to the expenditures. A brief comparison
OF the last four, with previous years, will oxempify
this most sttikingly. From 1916 up to 1887 period
OF 81 years, the acays exceeded the expendi-
lures OF the Federal Government. The average annu-
al excess was clercH millions Of dollars, and the total
surplus amounting to 2i0 Millions applied to the
payment OF the principal and interest of the Public
Debt. But with Mr. Van Buren's ECONOMY and re-
form administration the tide turned once. The re-
ceIpts OF the Government diminished and its
peEses increased Instead of a surplus, each year
showed a deficiency. And when at the close OF his
brief but mischieyous administration the books were
balanced, instead Of aggregate surplus Of Al mill
ions, the Treasury exhibited a beggary account of
C,s
closed an alarming defe,i of trelre million, Of
dollars!
But this is not the woTs, feature in the case. Mr.
Van Buren, not content with eKhaus,ing the Treasury
and saddling the country with debt undertook 10 de-
ceirs the People Ia his last annual message the
actual condition Of their financial affairs 1t that por-
lion OF the document which treats Of the financial
achievements Of the Van Buren, administration the
following paragraph occurs
1t affords me- however, great pleasure to be able
70 say, that, from the commencement OF this period
the present day, Every DEMAND UPOS GOVERNMENT,
At HoNg ASD ABROAD, HAS BEEN PROMPTLY MET. This
has been done, not only without creating permanent
debt, resort to additional taxation IN any form. but
On the midst OF steady progressive reduction Of exist
ing burdens upon the People leaving a coRHdcrqbic
balance gf 7ral1tlc funds, uhici ,ciH roman -, ne
Treasury at me end # The year
Such, according to Mr. Van Buren,, was the coudi-
lion Of the Treasury a, the end OF l-i0-cyery demand
upon the government pad, and considerable balance
OF cash ia hand Now this statement true OF FALsE'
Were there no demands pending, and pressed over
and over again upon the Government for payment
demands from AUTHORIZATIONS demands rom army
contract0rs-demands for arrcaragcs IN FlorIda-de-
manis from hundreds Of iaborers our public works.
Every man at al couyersan, with our public affairs,
lgls that there such demands 1gains, the Gov
eminent aad to tho amount OF rau43H1 If dollars,
,hc very time Mr. Van Buren, put forth the statement
above quoted The Pos, Office Department was Grip
Pied with Gca-lAore were demands against u which
q had means TO meet % the amount of nearly half
a million ofdaats. The War Department, was DO
SILL worse condition. Not only were The alHropua-
lions voted 5y Congress l.r the different works !n
charge OF the Department viAhed ~ ne P,sndf.t,
bli instructions were keai ,ac officers charge %
those " r- 20 molly lo hands employed, ,aal their
demands against he Government Tor wages could
NO b. MT uaal Agrl, lsil And ue very Congress
90 Alom The Ge.saEs 81 Nt NaU B-.el Heretofore &C..
'erred ta sdltesset, called Upon pass and
aaI a.4 pass, appropriation Of ogs r77 trSe hun
s-sl i4a.t4s3 a.l1rs Or 'aUearages 90 TIE Florida
service 90 other words, 20 pay isr demands agan-
the Gosernmeui which had been made, Lli NOT met
NJ y On B-rel 90 TIE contrary Notwithstanding. And
vet a lace OF these acs-iacts q which Mr. Van Be-
fsu could no, have beea .fuorsai--ias' f4He,0asry
assured ne Representatives, q Ae People iasi eery