The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-22

and postponed balances, amounting TO nine and
a half Of the ten millions, called outstanding at
the end of 1840, will contribute so much towards
outstanding balances at the end Of 1S41!
II would appear, that this loose and unconsti-
tntional practice of having large outstanding
balances lying over, and payments " STAYED off,"
has grown up within the last ten or twelve years.
In reference to this new custom, unknown to
our Constitution and laws, Mr. Bell remarks
with great propriety and force sc When Con-
gress appropriates moneys, il is meant that they
should be applied TO the respective branches Of
the public service for which they were designed,
as speedily as may be consistent with the nature
and demands of the objects The Executive,
except in cases expressly provided, is vested
sumption Of it is an abuse Of power. 1t is the
exercise of dispensing power. Executive in
huence and patronage are necessarily increased
when authority is assumed to apply large sums
of money, or not, at discretion, to objects and
interests in which large bodies of men feel a
personal concern"
This is feature of the Jackson-Van Buren,
dynasty which has escaped observation, and one
Of pernicious, it might be momentous conse-
quence, If the custom were tolerated. If, as we
have seen, it gave to Mr.. Woodbury., a cover for
false estimate of millions in regard to the .fu-
ture, it might, also, in certain circumstances,
and for too long period for public safet5, be
made a cover for false reckoning of millions
in regard to the past. AT the close of 1886, the
aggregate of the amount of unpaid and post
poncd balances was SIC, 900; and al the end
Of 1897, it was $l4, $4,000. From 1929 to
1910, the applied but unpaid balances had in
creased LOO per cent, and the unapplied or post
poned balances had increased sixteen to one =!
II is an ominous, not to say alarming, novelty
in the practical operation Of our Government for
the last few years, that the administrative au-
thorities have assumed the power to reduce or
enlarge the expenditures within the year at dis
erection. The specific objects of the leg islative
authorities, in their appropriations, in far as
this practice obtains, are not regarded A high
moral, legal, and constitutional obligation is
tramped under foot. Such license, once con-.
irmed by precedent and federation, might open
the door to the highest and most criminal acts
ofusurpation, as it might afford means sufficient
even for the beginning Of a war, domestic or
foreign, and plunge the nation into a position as
disastrous and as rretrievable, as it would be
unauthorized by any constitutional principle.
1t is proper, however, to remark, that Mr. Bell,
in his estimate, takes Mr.. Woodbury. on his own
ground, and allows the whole account Of applied
but unpaid, and Of unapplied or postponed ba-
lances, to be considered as outstanding at the
close Of lS4l. He makes it. however, but &c.
10000, while Mr.. Woodbury. puts it down as
"a probability Of conjecture at $10,000,00O.
This for political and popular effect, inasmuch
a. help Of 100000 in Treasury report,
falling on the right side, was a "pretty consi-
derable" of an item. Foreseeing, however, that
he would be brought up on this point he has
very discreetly suggested "that greater pro-
portion Of outstanding appropriations at the end
of the year 1910, may be expended in 1871, than
will be left unerpended of the new charges i'm
posed."s IL t,s, @a,s r.a}. fs>E "
Here, then, in single item, is Treasury ac-
count capital of $4, 100000 to trade upon for po-
litical and popular effect, SO long as it may an
swer the purpose; and in a sly corner, is found
a saving clause. to be used as shield, in case
Of need, against an adversary. "Did'nt say
sol" Yes, true, but you left the impression
that the outstanding balances Of al would be
equal to those of 40, and based your announce
ments of the future wants of the Government
upon this, as one of many similar items of cal
culation. a#. ~" ,~;..u .... w.. ..af % *
The great advantage Of Mr.. Bel's views Of
our late financial history, of our present 6nan-
cial position, and of our financial prospects, is,
that he travels side by side with the late Secretary
of the Treasury, takes his own materials, and
shows that, properly represented, they must lead
to widely different results from those which the
ex-Secretary has announced. The field survey
ed by Mr.. Bell is TOO large TO be gone over by
us, and the points Of interest too numerous to
receive a particular notice in this place. The
country will appreciate its obligations to those,
who, like Mr.. Bell, have contributed to effect
such lucid disentanglements of our financial af-
fairs, to throw light upon such obscurity, and to
prepare the way to bring order out of such
chaos. .......-.. ...... . ......
II ought to suffice to say, if true-and the evil
dence is all tangible in Mr.. Bells speech--that
he has proved to demonstration, out of the ma
terials furnished by the Ex-Secretary of the
Treasury. that the real deficiency during the
present year will not fall short of $4,000, 0OO,''
it being understood that the Treasury should
never be permitted to approach nearer to a state
of exhaustion than $5,oOO,OOO, which, in the
more prudent or less proaigate period of Mr..
Woodbury's administration of the finances, was
his avowed doctrine, which he has never dis
claimed, and which no prudent statesman would
dare to disclaim.
II cannot, therefore, be denied-the members
of the late administration, with Mr.. Van Buren,
at their head, being witnesses, out Of their own