The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-03-21

at 6fvsix millions Of dollars, exclusive Of pay
ments on account OF the puble debt; out' as
I have already remarked, the Secretary IN
formed us at the commencement otthe session.
that an additional appropriation OF ten mi
lions was necessary to cover the expenses lor
the wear. 4 question then arises, whether
these ten millions are included IN the Iii.y-
nix millions. 1t has cost me much trouble TO
ascertain it. bat it is not. OF course this ad-
,};tional expendiiure must be added to the
Secv,,sry's estimate Of the deficiency. But,
sir. let us look 4 itt.e TURNER into tins.
TIE whole estimated expenditure for The
current wear, rs given in the annual report OF
the Secretary at the last session OF Congress,
December, 1860 was torty-ive millions Of
dollars. The actual expenditure ior the same
wear, as now ascertaincd by am, (see his an
nual report TO Congress- Is fity-eight millions
and q fraction. Here we have a difference IN
the two estimates for the present year, one
made at the commencement and the other at
this time. of thirteen millions of dollars.
Sir. the appropriations made at the last
session of Congress for the service Of the cur
rent wear lending June so, 1S46) exceeded
bv the sum of nearly nine millions the Secre-
tary's estimate SIS submitted TO Congress at that
session: and yet the Secretary now asks an
appropriation Of over ten millions TO cover de-
ficiencies. 1t is proper for me TO add that, as
rear as | all able to ascertain the fact, the ex-
penditure for the current year, rs estimated
BY the Secretary in his recent report, exceeds
the amount of appropriat ions by about three
millions of dollars. In order, then, TO ascer-
tain the actual expenditure Of The year, seven
millions only should be added to this estimate.
This will carryj that expenditure up to more
than sixty-ive millions.
This SUN of seven millions, It VIII be per-
coived, is added to his estimate upon his own
authority, that is to say, his estimate OF ar
rcaraCes of the present session, and his de-
nand for further appropriations.
The next particular in my table OF correc-
tons Of the Sccretary's estimate Is the item OF
seven millions for underestimate OF the eX-
pendiiure for the coming fiscal ycar,iTom July
j, IS4S, to juno 30, 1919.
These expenditures are estimated by the
Secretary at the sumofS55.6i4,9il. In what
LIGHT arc we TO regard these estimates? SIR.
all experience shows that these estimates are
too low. Year after year Congress Is called
upon TO supply deficiencies. This is not to
he wondered at. Il implies no cersuTe Of The
officers charged with the duty Of furnishing
them 1t is natural that every head Ofthe
Treasury Department should endeavor TO put
the Lest aspect upon the financial affairs Of
the country, and heads o. bureaus and other
suborlinatcS will reduce their estimates OF eX-
penditure as low rs possible. Judging. then,
from all past experience, we must regard these
estimates as falling short Of the actual cxpcn-
ditlre. But there are special reasons for an
ticipa.inc an excess OF expenditure tor the
coming wear over and above the present csti-
mates. Let me advert to the report OF the
Ouartermaster General. Il Will be borne III
mind that this officer asks an additional ap-
preparation CT fge millions to cover a def
cheney in the appropriations for the eurren,
wear. What does he say Of his estimates for
the next? In lis letter 70 ;he Secretary Of
War OF November Is, 1917, he gays:
The estimates which Submitted on the al
instant. for The service oftiic next fiscal year.
yea, were made ont from data derived fran
The experience Of lie last 1eqr. II YOUR sn1-
pcs.!on. ! have c~arcit.iiv Tv-cxsniLed every
item, and in all depending in any degree up
on nv own acton, or that OF the officer Of
the department, Ihdre mG.ls considerable ne
duc,ions. Whether these Geduc:;ors he judi
cious, time must determine. IwoWId no. hare
vcntigcd 10 m1kc them, Int far ie fact HG' hr0
scSs.ons of Coaqfc,, mU hare dc'craajnef b.torc
TIE C9pirGfion ~ lie fscai gar far uhich lie
estimates no1r SiLasi cd iacc been made
Sir. this il sicEi.irant language. In plain
EnsIis,. it means this: the estimates arc too
.miil. They are not to be reiiyd on, and would
not be submitted, were j; not thar two sessions Of
Congress Will intervene. and opportunity will he
aTo,iod to ask for further aopTorriaI.on before
theexpcnditnIe Is incurred. Wt.iih The experience
oftle present yeaT. Ia GvieienrT in tie estimates
Of tins department Of FIVE t'Hilons-l and I'll est
mate Thus qualified. cNp,ained-1ot 10 say apo'-
ogi1ed fur-what are VIC TO expert as the result
of these estimates for the coming year, Beyond
all question, that the expenditure viii largeiyex-
eeel the estimates, rs it has done heretofore.
lConcluded next week.