Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-07-18
From the Detroit Free Press.
NHIG REFORM,

In order to get power, the wings alleg'
ed that the national treasury was bank
rupt; and they promised to TePlenish it.
they performed their promise BY passing
a bill to divide the revenue Of the public
lands among the States.
They alleged that there was frIghtN
full public debt--whicb in fact amounted
to only $4, SOC, 600; and they promised
to provide means at once toPay IT,
But when the hard cider Congress adj
iourned, it left public debt Of upwards
Of twenty millions Of dollars.
They charged Mr.. Van Buren's admin
istration with having reduced the reVe-
nue. Of the go7omm ent; and they prom
issd 10 increase it. When they assum'
ed the riens Of government, the revenue
was equal to the expenditures; butthere
is anothor deficit Of about seven millions
Of dollars year.
They complained that the democrats
held too long sessions OF Congress,
thereby suuandsring uslessly the public
money. But they held the longest, and
consequently the most expensive, session
that has ever been held.
They alleged that the pay and mileage
of members Of Congress was too high,
and ought TO be reduced, but they had
not the time or disposition to reduce
them farthing.
They objected to the number and sala.
ries cf diplomatic agents abroad; and
they not only failed to reduce either, but
they provided for the appointment of a
commissioner 10 China, at an expense
Of $40 900, a commissioner to the Sands
wich Island with salary Of $4,000, a
Consul at Beyrout, &C., sc. Instead Of
abolishing old Offices, they created new
ones.
They denounced the isSuing Of treas
ury notes, ridiculed them as "Govern-
ment shnplasters," and nailed up like.
nesses ofthem in their committee rooms,
and log cabins, BY The side OfcOon skins.
When they came into power, they found
A, ,6OO, 900 of treasury nOIes in circula'
tion, and, when the late whig Congress
adjourned, they had issued and then left
upwards gil 100000 of these Govern
ment shinplasters in circulation.
They complained Of the great extent
of the patronage ofthe President; and
alleged that there were too many subor-
dinate gofficers through the country pHr>
ticularly in the custom house depart
ment. But they adjourned without re-
ducing the number, although the public
revenue derived from the customs has
been reduced one third since they came
into power.
They complained that the democratic
Congress paid Messrs. Blair & RiveS tOc
high rates Tor the public printing. The!
repealed the contract with them, anC
gave the printing to Gale g. SeatOR
an agreed reduCt on Of 20 per cent, anC
boosted Of It as great whig reform -
But 10! when the same Congress ad'
iourned, they made an appropriation to
pay their favorite whig printers the old
prices. thus increasing the amount some
$50 1000 over the sum due them at the
30 per cent reduction.
They complained Of the old comPrO-
mise, and promised to pass on9 10 pro.
ct-lhat is, sustain and enrich the man
uGaclurer. But has It raised the far
mer's products2 The sad experience Of
all will answer, no!
They complained, during the period
between the suspension Of the deposit
banks in 1887, and the Independent treas
ury in 1910, that the purse and The sword
were dangerously united in the hands OF
the President. But Os soon as they got
into power, the whig Congress repealed
the sub treasury, aud restored the public
money back 10 the custody Of the Exc
cutive, or where il was during most Of
the term Of Mr.. Van Buren'a administra-
tiOn.
They promised 10 regulate the ca.
chan gss; but what act Of Congless is
there thai has promoted that object, or
had such on efeCtf
They complained that the democrats
had said the people expected too much
from the government. The wings de.
MED this, and promised that if the ceun.
try would put the administration into
their hands. the government would salts.
fy all the wants and expectations Of the
people. The country took them at their
word, and what is the consequence
We are:unable'tO DR. aw the gloomy pic.
turo which an answer to the question will
require.