The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-08-18

not told TO submit estimates of what was
wanted for the service, but they were 10.
structed that their estimates must no, ex.
coed certain sum. Ii was necessary to
submit low estimates for ls4l, so that the
Van Buren, party could say, as they nov do,
you expended more than was asked for. [
quote the words Of the report of the Navy
Commissioners in exercising the dlscre.
ton which is authorized, by your instruc
tons, for the selection of objects and
amounts OF expenditure, to be proposed for
the second and third general classes Of ex.
penditure, under the restriction that the
whole estimate, exclusive of marines, shall
not exceed FIVE million twenty. five thousand
dollars, (S5 ,025 ,O00,") &c. If the wants
of the navy had required ten millions, #
ships had been in decay, roiting at our
wharves, it was all the same TO The Secre
,aoy; he did not allow the COMMISSIONER
to ask what was necessary, but restricted
them TO certain amount, TO The Injury OF
The navy, and to throw or the Wings the
necessity Of increasing appropriations.
Under the restriction " referred to, only
one hundred thousand (Sl00,000) could be
allowed for the gradual increase of the IA.
Wy, and the Commissioners say "lhis sum
is much less than the annual average APP.
preparations, for these purposes, for the las.
twenty-five years" IL am rightly in.
formed, for many years before this period,
Congress has appropriated half million
for the increase of the navy. Now lie, Us
see what this one hundred thousand dollars
could do.
By the same report it will appear we
we're building in lS4N four ships OF the line
OF the second class, seven frigates Of the
first class, and two steamers, and these
steamers cost five hundred thousand dol.
lars each
This pallry attempt at deception was
pracliced in December, 1889, also, when
the estimates were submitted, and II became
necessary TO hold GU. the appearance of re.
lrenchment The Commissioners, speak.
ing of building vessel authorized by a
previous law, say, page 4l2 of the docu.
ment just referred 10, "The Department,
as you may recollect, were only prevented
from including this in the estimates for
ls4O BY the supposed necessity of limiting
the estimates TO certain amount y Thus
II seems thai an order was given to the Sc.
creiary Of War and the Secretary of the
Navy TO make moderate estimates, 20 post.
pone expenditures, TO allow the couolry 10
be injured, that the party in power might
seem TO be practising economy. Ia this
same Doc. No. ,, page AL, it seems that
the colonel commandment of the marine
corps wished an appropriation made for tho
purchase of sites and the erection of bar.
racks. And wha, is done with this .
HteaI the commissioners 1.-THE amount.
70 W 'nis purpose, was one hundred
and seVenly'hve thousand dollars, (Sl75,.
ooO) which, in accordance with your in.
ssrucllons, was reduced TO one hundred
thousand dollars $500, 00O) for the pres.
ent year." Now, sir, | have made no oen.
eral assertions without proof have re.
TERED 10 documents coming from members
OF Tue late administration; and surely the
proofs that have adduced warran, me in
saying that the history of our Government,
can be searched in vain for another in.
stance IN which the Presiden. and his can.
met ever combined TO deceive tho people,
TO bring Congress into disrepute, and by
most unworthy means, TO nlure the public
service, Tor the vile purposes of party.
gives me pain to be forced to hold this
picture 10 the gaze of the country, but Jus.
ice demands tina. ITO veil should be torn
away and the people SEQ how Mr.. Van
buren aud his friends are trying to deceive
them.
Another instance of deception in the es
Inmates refer to the public buildings IN
ms city. During the twelve wears pre.
;edIns ls4l, the Post Office, Patent Office.
and the Treasury building we're DESTROYED
BY lire. No ono ever expected Wings of
'e'ns concerned in this. II became ne
;essary to rebuild these Offices. The
'a'ent Office and the Treasury buldinr
we're unfinished. The Secretary of the
reasury, Mr.. Woodbury., in December,
oo9, submitted his estimates TO Conpress
or these buildings. He asked for the
reasury building SOL 600, for the Patent
ING, !, S4o 900. Was this enough? No.
1e Informs US, in note, that more is re.
luislte; yet 30 larger amount 10 included
u the estimates. And what was the re
W. Before May lS40, the money was
II exhausted, and by permission Of Mr.
an buren,, due bills and certificate were
'sued 10 The workmen on the public build.
11ss Office holders were paid il gold and i
liVef' but the laboring men we're forced 10 !
axe certificates or nothing, and then be
naved by brokers and banks. This iran. :
ac'ion was exposed IN a repor, from The /
committee on Expenditures in the Public \
No. GAO, LIST session 26,b Can
fess. ihey commenced to issue these b
'''ihcates 10 October, 1880. Ia Decem. !
er, 1899, Mr.. Woodbury. asked for s5l a
W for the Treasury building and s45 600 Il
= the Patent Office for 1910, and We, y
lore the month of May, 1910. the amount :,
certificates issued on account of the Trea. r.
ry building was $50, 4il G45 Il and for n,
Patent Office S43,3 Gs. | have n "
py of letter from the Commissioner Of G.
Iblic Buildings before me: @
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS or prst,cl e,
BUIDisGs, April IL, 1916 ( N
"a NAG Tie honor to receive your letter of :;