Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-10
rWENrY-sEyENTH CoNGREss..2d Session

SPEECH of Hon. JOHN &. CALHOUN, OF >. C.,
On The Treosuru Note Bill Delrered in the Senate 81
the United States, January 2o Isle.
MIR. CALHOUN said There was measure that
REQUIRED greater caution, more severe scrutiny, than
one to impose taxes raise loan, be the form whS.
il nav | hold that Government mas no right to do
either except when the public service makes It nPer
ousy necessary, and then only to the extent that re-
ouires also hold that the expenditures can only be
limited by limiting the supplies. II money is granted
it is sure to be expended. Thus thinking, it is fun
damenal rule with me not to vote Tor loan or tax oil
Ill, ain satisfied is necessary for the pubic SERVICE
and not then If the deficiency can be avoided By iop
ping off unnecessary objects OF expenditure or the en-
forcement of an exact and ludcious economy IN the
public disbursements Entertaining these opinions 1t
was in vain that The chairman OF the Finance Commit
tee pointed TO the estimates of the year, as suhcient
reason for the passage of this bill as amended Estimates
are too much matter Of course TO satisfy ME IN
case like this. have practical knowledge OF the
subject and know too well how readily old items
are put down. from year 10 year, without much inquiry
whether they can be dispensed with or reduced, anu
new ones inserted, without much more retieciion 10
put much reliance them. To satisfy me, the chair
man must do what he has not even attempted; he must
state satisfactorily the reasons for every new item, and
the increase Of every old oEe and show that the Cef-
cheney the revenue, cannot be avoided by re-
t.enchmen. and economy. Until he does that, he has
no robt TO call on us vote this heavy additional
CHARGE of FIVE millions Of dollars the people, espe
cally at period Of such unexampled pecunlary en-
barrassment. Having omitted 10 perform tins Duty !
have been constrained TO examine tor myself the est
mates in a very hasty manner, with imperfect docu.
ments and no opportunity OF deriving information from
the resrectye Departments. But with all these dsad-
yaptages have satisfied myself that this loaa is I'M
necessary-that its place may be supplied, aud more
than sup2lied by retrenchment and economy and the
command of resources IN the power oil the G0vern
ment, without materially mparing the efficiency OF
the public service, my reasons for which shall now
proceed 10 state.
The estimates of the Secretary of the Treasury for
the expenditures Of the year, IS S}2,t1 2os, or, IN
round numbers thrtythree millions, embraced under
the following heads-te civil list including foreign IN
tercourse and miscellaneous, amounting 10 81 OO0,9S7
37-military in all its branches ST. 7l7,79l o3-Navy,
SS 705 $40 S3-permanent appropriations, applicable
TO the service Of the year, 9o6, and Treasury
notes to be redeemed, $7,0OoG0O.
Among the objects of retrenchment, place nj the
head the great that proposed 10 be made TO
the expenditures of the Navy compared with that OF
last year 1t is no less than 81, 032 3D. taking the
expenditures of las, year from the annual report OF the
Secretary see sufficient rcascn AZ this time, and
in the present embarrassed condition OF the Treasury,
for this great increase have looked the report
of the Secretary hastily, and find none assigned, ex
eept general reasons. for an Increased Navy which !
am not disposed TO controrcrt. But | an decided
ly of the opinion, that the commencement ought
to be postponed TIL systematic plan Is ma
tured, both as TO the ratio Of increase and the de-
scription Of force Of which the addition should con-
sist and till the Department IS properly organized,
and in n condition 10 enforce exact responsibility
and economy in lis disbursements. That the Depart.
rrnt is not now properly organized, and in that con.
diton we have the authority OF the Secretary himself,
in which concur. / am satisfied that IT'S admnisira
ton cannot be made effective under the present orga
nizaton, particularly it regards It's expenditures
have very great respect for the head OF the Depart
men,, and confidence in his ability and integrity. II
he would hear the voice Of one who wishes HIM WE'LL
and who takes the deepest interest in the branch OF
service of which he is the Chief my advice would be-
take time; TO look about; to reoganize the Depart
men in the most efficient manner, on the staff prInc
pie, and to establish the most rigid accountability and
economy in the disbursements, before the great work
OF systematic increase is commenced. Till that is
DONE add not a dollar to the expenditure. Make
sure of the foundation before you begin 10 rear
the superstructure. | aware that there will
be considerable increase this year in the Navy,
pared the expenditure of last year, consequence OF
The acts ofhe extraordinary session This may deduct
several hundred thousand dollars from the amount
propose to retrench; but cannot doubt that an i'm
proved administration of the moneyed affairs OF the De-
partment, with the very great reduction in prices and
wages, q saving may be made more than sufficient TO
make up for that deduction. In speaking OF improved
administrator, comprehend the marine corps. And
here deem it my duty TO remark, that the estimates
for that branch Of the appear 10 me 10 be very
large The corps is estimated I'll thousand prvaes,
and its aggregate expense AT 500, 22. THIS strikes
me 10 be far large for SINAI! corps of long stand
nr stationed st convenient and cheap points, ana al
period when the price Of provisions, clothing, and all
other articles of supply is low large portion OBJ
serve for barracks, which, proper n, ALL surely may
be postponed till the finances placed in better
dition.
shall now pass from the naval 10 the military depart
meni; and here find estimate OF 81 ,oosHS2 Is ior
harbors, creeks, and the like must say that | an
surprised al this estimate All who have been members
ofthe Senate oi the last eight ten wears must be IL
mar with the history OF this item OF expenditure L. is
one OF the branches Of the old, exploded American SyS
tenn, and almost the only which remains. Ii his
never been acquicsced in, and scarcely tolerated
when the Treasury fill 10 Overlooking with ,hc
plus revenue or all the extravaganl and E,wleSs ap
p.opriaons OF the worst OF times have ever regarded
as the most local IN Us
:haracter aud UNEQUAL and unjust in It's operation Lit
lie did anticipate that such em and OF SO large al
AMOUNT would at this time be found in the estimates |
ghen the Treasury deeply embarrassed PIE credit of
ne Government impaired, and the revenue from ihe lands
urrandrred 10 the States and Territories Such an cm
i such period looks like niatua,on and | hore the
on Finance when comes 10 take up the
mates will strike il ou, Il certainly oaght ~ lie ex
unged and Shall accordingly place among the items
ha, ought TO be rcrcached
Passing to the Treasury Department, | observe an
stoate Of S43932, for surveys Of public lands and