Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-21
FACTS FOR THE PEOPLE.

One of the best tests by which to Try the merit OF
an Administration--unde whatever form of Gov
| ernment-is the amount and character OF its ex-
pendiuures /; and one Of the most incumbent duties
OF the citizen is to watch vigilanty that branch of
the public service. Trying the successive Admi-
nistrations of our own Government by this test
from its origin down to the present tlme the readers
of our paper will find the subjoined compendlous
table of expenditures well worth careful perusal.
The contrast between the prodigality of the De-
mocratic dynasty, and the economical expenditures
of the Administrations which preceded the Demo-
cratic ascendency, will strike every one, and, taken
in connexion with the forcible remarks with which
the article is prefaced in the paper from which we
copy it, must teach wholesome lesson to all who
are capable of forming candid judgment:
FROM THE NEW BEDFORD MERCURY.
deem il important to call your attention to the
following exposition and statistics Of expenses OF
our Government, taken from the journal of Con-
gress for every Administration, commencing with
George Washington's and concluding with James
X. Folks. 1t will be found correct, with the eX-
cepton of the expenditures under President Polk
administration, which are probably underestimate
at least some S50,O00,000, it being stated on COM
petent authority that the Mexican war cost US two
hundred and fifty millions of dollars instead Of two
hundred millions Of dollars, which is the amount
placed in the schedule below. By giving Mr.. Polk
the benefit of S500OO,000, still, it will be observed,
the increase of the expenses of Government have
become tremendous. -.
What is very remarkable, and yet true and be-
yond contradiction, is, that every Locofoco Admin
straton has cost and taxed the people of this Union
vastly more than either Of the Whig Adminislra-
tons. Thus ii will be found that the whole ex-
penditures of Wing Governments, commencing
with Washington and ending with J. Q. Adams,
during period Of forty years, (and be it remem-
bered the expenses of the Revolution, much of
them were paid under w ashingtons government,
and all the charges occurring in consequence of the
last war with Great Britain in Mr.. Madison's.) the
Locofoco governments, commencing with General
Jackson's and terminating with Mr.. Folks, pc
riod of twenty years, are run up to the enormous
sum of three hundred and thirteen millions sir
hundred and ffy,tpo thousand and forty-seuen
dollars, over and above the Wing governments for
forty years "a sum sufficient to have made inter-
nal improvements, deepening harbors and rivers of
The West and South, and building piers for the har
bors on the lakes and seaboard, to an extent that
would have been for all time to come of immense
benefit to our country; sum sufficient to have
educated millions of poor children and placed
schsol-houses in every city, town, and village, and
paid for teachers for many years. II is Of vital
importance to every friend of his country to probe
this subject to the bottom, and ask why is it, and
who has caused this exorbitant expenditure of ma
tional treasure. Shall our hard earnings continue
to be thus squandered by Locofoco misrule I!