Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-03-26
WHOLE LUMBER ISL.

may suppose that this sum is extraordinarily large;
but there are many items IN that sum. have
before me IA statement going TO show that Of that
sum only four millions are asked for the military
service proper-a sum less than is demanded for
the naval service proper, and only double tho
amount al which 4, stood when the honorable gon-
tleman from South Carolina lief, the Department.
The sum was then about So 900 900; il is now
not quite $1,000 900. while, during the same
period. the army has been nearly doubled, besides
the raising OF mounted regiments, the most ex-
pensIve for that very reason Of any in tho SER
vice. | think that the gentleman from South
Carolina, If he looks into the subject IN detail,
will find that the COS, Of the army is not ut This
hour greater, per man, than II was when II was
under his own personal administration 50 am
informed; and that, although the pay has been
raised a dollar Il month, which has very largely
augmented The expenditure.
The Executive branch of tho Government has
sent IN estimates amounting, in all, 10 twenty
four and a half millions of dollars, for the service
of the current year, which, with the million and
a halt OF permanent expenditure, makes twenty
SIX millions. How nuch Is 10 be added 10 that
amour, for appropriations no, yet estimated,
which may be made durin. the session by Con.
gress, 10 meet honest claims, and for other objects
of a public nature2 remember one item propo-
sed by my friend near mo (Mr. Maugum) for a
quarter OF a million for the building Of n steam.
ship, an item not included in tho estimates, but
for which the Senate has already Appropriated:
besides which there are various other items which
have passed or will pass during The present ses-
sion. When the honorable gentleman from New
Hampshire was at the head Of the Treasury, no
made IN HIS communications TO Congress constant
complaints of this very practice. lie well re-
members that he was ever complaining that tho
expenditures OF Government were swelled far be-
yond the Executive estimates, by appropriations
made by Congress, not estimated by the Depart
ments. | have calculated that we shall add to
the twentv-six millions of dollars estimated for
by the Executive Departments, or permanently
required, at least one million and q half, which
would raise the sum for this year 10 twcD,y.se,en
millions and a half.
How then 90 | propose TO bring this down to
twenty two millions? | have, | own, soma fears
that we snail not be able to effect IL; bu, ] hope
that we shall SO far reduce the estimates and
prevent unnecessary appropriations that tho total
expenditure shall not exceed that amount. Tho
mode in which | propose to reach such n result is
this: / suppose We may effect a reduction Of The
cIvi! list TO the amount Of a half a million. Tha,
general head includes, among other things, tho
expenses OF tho two Houses, and, as | have heard.
in" other House has already introduced q report
which, If adopted, VIII cut down those expenses
one hundred thousand dollars, though | think tina,
they should be reduced much more. estimate.
then, three and a millions for the civil lis, instead
OF tour Millions; then | estimate nine millions for
tho War department instead of Sill, 600. In
a conversation which have lately held with tho
of the Military Committee Of this body.
ne expressed mo apprehension that 1t could not
be reduced below ten millions, but hope ii NAV
be cut down 10 nine. As TO The naval service,
estimates OF the Department for that bran CHI
OF The service amount 10 $500, 300; an amount
think far too high, and indeed quite extravagant.
| was greatly astonished al learning the amount
so large. Still | know that the Navy is Tho
of all. and Justly: it is the boast of Tho
nation, end our great RESOURCE and chIef de pend
enca in tho contingency ola war: no man thinks,
or Il moment, Of Gripping or discussing this right
-, Il 100. e.. d.. "
injury he appropriation asked for might
be reduced from S,107 500 10 Sc, 500 900. This
would put the reduction in the naval on a footing
with that in the military appropriations, and still
eavo n greater APPROPRIATION than usual 10 that
department.. The reduction TO six millions and a
IS as large as | think will be practicable. If
We are TO provide for proposed experiments in the
lpplication of steam, aud are, besides, TO add
argely to the marine corps.
How then, will tho total Of our expenditures
We shall have
the civil and diplomatic expenses
ofthe Government. s3,5oO.ooo
For the military service. 5000, 900
For the Naval service. $500, 900
Tor permanent appropriation*. 100000
For appropriations not included in the esti-
mates. 100000
Making an aggregate Of, s22,0 100000
To this amount / suppose and hope oar exPen-
es may be reduced, until, on due investigation.
, shall be discovered that still further reductions
be effected.
Well, then. having iyed the amount at twenty
wo millions for the ordinary current expenses of
Jnvernmeat. | have supposed II necessary and
roper TO add two millions more to make provi-
ion for the payment of The existing National debt,
which is, in The even. of the loan being taken up
eventeen millions. And then go on 10 add two
Millions more as q reserved fund, to meet contin-
,encies: SO that. should there be = temporary rise
& The expenditures beyond twenty two millions,
W n sudden emoruarrv should occur which
.ould not be anticipated or calculated on, there
nay be the requisite means In the Treasury TO
meet il. Nor has there been a single Secretary
It the head of the Treasury since the da Us of Mr..