Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-02-19


may be seen at glance will place them together:
Actual expenditures for the year ending June
~, lsad ..............-..... S59 AL, III
Estimated Estimated 1873 1873 s ss sis ssG
II will be seen that Mr. Walkers estimated are
based sliding scale similar to the British laws where
the duty reduced with the price, Our force in
the field is constantly increasing and yet estimated
Pendures are reduced from to year. the of the
vice for 649 being 236 less than the actual expend
lures for ls47 though the force much greater Such
the picture presented TO by the official documents But
every who will take the trouble to examine the subject
will be satisfied that the estimate for the present and for the
next fiscal year altogether too low There appears be
systematic attempt the part of the Executive department
reduce the estimates to the lowest possible point not how
ever, as would SEEM from conviction that the estna
ted will meet the wants of the service with knowledge
that if expenses incurred Congress cannot refuse
to make appropriations to pay just debts speak advisedy
when make this remark.
Agreeaby to law and usage, the officers Of the different
bureaus make out their estimates for the coming year, and
init them to the head Of the Department These estimates for
the next fiscal year have undergone unusual degree Of
pruning In confirmation Of this will state fact which will
illustrate the principle, and show the reliance which may be
placed upon the estimates The Quartermaster General
the 4h Of November submitted the Secretary Of War an
estimate Of expenditures in his department for the next fiscal
year. The Secretary returned the estimates with request
that they be reduced The Quaermaser General complies
with his request and the 18th Of November submits his
revised estimates saying he has made considerable reduc
tons lie says, however, that his first estimates
made out from data derived from the experience of the last
year He then adds, tswhether these reductions be Judi
cious, time must determine would have ventued to
make them, but for the fact that of Congress will
have terminated before the expiration of the fiscal year
which the estimates now submitted have been made The
sums aked for arrearages for the present fiscal year
more, am persuaded, than will be required"
Here, sir it will be that the Quartermaster General in
his second estimates virtually admits that they low
lower than the service in his opinion will justify In fact he
well persuaded that his estimates low that he
he would not have ventured make them but for
the fact that he could the session and ask
additional appropriations. The Committee Of Ways and
Means being desirous OF obtaining all the information requ
site proper understanding of the subject on which they
called TO act addressed the Secretary War
asking him for the original estimates the Gem
eal When the original estimates were sent u.s. we found
that literally true that be had made considerable re-
ductons" And what do you suppose Mr.. Chairman they
were How much do you suppose cut off will tell
you the modest little of 81, 90, 200 But he does il
under protest. declaring that he believes will wanted as
he founded his estimates upon the experience of the year.
Again. sir the Secretary of the Navy gives estimate
of 9O5 $685. but after this estimate had been the hands
of the committee six weeks the Secretary of the Navy
forward and informs that reduce the estimate
900 withoutany detrment public service And
what does tire honorable Secretary offer support
this reduction What discovery had he made Why
he had discovered just what he have known when he
made his esimatesha certain unexpended balances would
come from the last year. But would he reduce the
tua expenditure by this means Noin the least II would
show less paper but whether the 81 900 drawn
would be the same and the be provided in the
one much in the other.
have stated these facts, because opposed
duction, but because am opposed to imposition have
stated them 10 show that there systematic attempt make
the appropriations small possible do not believe that
reducing the appropriations will reduce the expenditures,
the whole, mill perfectly satisfied that there
great unwngness the part OF the Executive TO have the
expenditures of this known the present time
But the President does wish be behndhand in the good
work Of recnchmen and consequently be comes in
poses to cut of the paty sum OF some 500 from the grants
made to the poor Indians for the purposes OF education In
several Of the treaties made with the different tribes there
provision that certain shall be paid to them annually,
the pleasure Of the President for their education and cvza
ton. The different denominations Of Christians who support
their missionaries among these tribes have received from the
portion Of these funds which they expend for
schools among the tribes and account to this Government for
the in which is expended The Presbyerians,
informed expend dollars Of their money, for pur-
poses of education for every dollar they receive from the Co
the Bapsts expcnd about dollar of their funds
for every dollar they receive from the public Treasury and
the Mehodsts who always pioneers every good
ierprse expend their money aiding the Government in
struct these unfortunate children of the forest. And while
these heads Of peace and salvation willing to spend and
be spent in the glorious of cvzng the untuored
wages and opening their dark and benighted minds the
gores Of immortality the President of the United States
forward and taking advantage of clause in the
ties in which confidence eposed in hun, proposes to strike
out these small appropriations granted to them for valuable
consideration The Executive Of people calling themselves
Christian appears be unwilling that the ministraon Of life
should be dispensed among the savages in country
expense he the money dispense the muisira
ton Of death among tho sages in Mexico He wants all the
Of tins country convert sword in hand the wretch
ed hordcs of Mexico, to christianity but 70 citizens Of the
United Staes-a nation which has spread slaughter through
their country, and treated hem as they believe with the
greatest injustice.
Here, Mr.. Chairman, question naturally arises, why the
Administration wish the present time TO reduce the appro
pratonsi Their motives in their own breasts am
satisfied of the fact for they revealed but they
not disclosed the motive But being Yankee, shall claim
the prerogative Of Yankee and guess the An i'm
poant election approaching, and the Administration do not
wish have the troublesome question Of the expenses OF the
brought before people the next Presidential contest
They know that before shall assemble here again, that
question will have been decided way the other and that
ut that tme they may safely forward and ask us TO
proprate fourteen millions Of dollars TO supply de6cien
ces but thrice that sum- This my solution of that ques
ton and il any friend Of the President on this floor thpks