The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-12-22
The Treasury Estimates.

The estimates of the Secretary of the
Treasury, are precisely of the character
which we supposed and predicted they
would be. When the deficit of fifteen or
twenty millions was formally announced
through the organs Of the cabinet in this
city few days since, we then expressed
our belief that it did not in fact exist; but
if it did exist, we expressed our belief that
it had been produced by the extravaganza
and profgate management Of the admin
istration itself, with view to furnish
pretext for increasing the tariff for the
benefit of the monopolists, or adding to
the public debt for the convenience of the
spectators of the stock exchange. The
statement of the Secretary fully bears out
the opinions which we then expressed.-
Let us examine his figures and see if we
are not correct.
In the first place, he estimates the de-
ficiency of appropriations for the present
fiscal year, which ends on the 30th of
June, 1850, at S6,236,3l0
Whole amount of appropria-
tons asked for for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1851. 44997,o92
Thus it appears that the whole amount
of appropriations called for by the Secre-
tary to be made by Congress at its present
session, is ss51 1888, ,4O2. 1t should be
borne in mind that Congress, at its last ses-
sion, made all the appropriations that were
deemed necessary by the late Secretary Of
the Treasury and Congress for the ex-
penses of the present fiscal year, with the
exception of the salaries and contingent
expenses of the new Department of the
Interior, all of which could not exceed
100000 at the farthest. In addition to
the usual and ordinary expenses of the
government, an appropriation was made
of the sum of 81 100000, TO pay the in
stalments of the indemnity falling due, un-
der the Mexican treaty, for the fiscal years
of 1849 and 1850. Ample provision was
made by the last Congress.not only for the
civil and diplomatic expenses of the gov
ernment but for the army, navy. Indian
department, and for every branch of the
public service. Ample provision was also
made for the payment of the interest on
the public debt, for the contingent ex-
penses Of the departments and bureaux,
and for the payment Of all just claims
Yet the Secretary of the Treasury has
come forward and demanded of Congress
TO add over six millions more to the ex-
penses of the present year. And for the
next year he has demanded over forty-iour
millions-making an aggregate of more
than FIFTY-ONE MILLIONS OF DOL.
LARS to be saddled upon the people in
the shape of additional taxes and debt in
the first year Of the present administration.
Forinasmuch as the current revenues Of
the year will not probably exceed $685.
600, 1000, there will, of course, exist de-
fct in the treasury OF at least sixteen mil
lions of dollars, which is to be supplied by
additional taxation, or by an increase Of
the national debt.
Now arises the inquiry. how has this de-
fct been created! The Secretary's re-
port does not give the information on this
point which the public have a right to eX-
pect, and which it will demand through
the agency of Congress. As ample provi.
sion was made. or believed to have been
made, by the last Congress, for the ex-
penses of government for the present year.
it is incumbent upon the administration
who have expended all the means in their
possession, and demanded six millions
more, to show to Congress how the neces-
sity of this additional demand has been
created. They must do this in order to
satisfy Congress that a sufficient reason
for the additional appropriation exists
And they must give the details. General
statements will not answer The Secre-
tary must show how the money already
appropriated has been expended, and
what he wants to do with the additional
sum for which he has asked Of course,
this involves a rigid and scrutinizing in
quiry into the entire action Of every de-
partment of the government since the
present administration came into power,
which we have no doubt the present Con-
gress will make, before they grant the ad-
ministration another mill for the expenses
of the present fiscal year.
The Secretary will have to explain how
it happens that so many ofthe departments
and bureaux have expended all the con-
tingent funds provided for them at the last
session, and now want more; how it hap
pens that extra clerks have been employ
ed in violation of law; how it happens that
more than thirteen hundred thousand dol
lars are required for the collection of the
revenue, in addition to the provision al
ready made for that purpose; how it hap
pens that extra inspectors and other officers
have been employed at the custom-houses
to collect the revenue, in violation of law.
and without necessity; how it happens that
so many agents have been employed to
traverse the country without apparent rea-
son, except to give them some emolument
from the public treasury; how i; happens
that so many claims, rejected under form
er administrations, have been allowed un.