The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-04
1852.
7,132,043 AZ 5,4O3, 372 "a
Excess over last estimates
1851.

| Excess over last estimates Sl,72S, $40 6:
The first fact which strikes the mind upon look
ing at this recapituaton is that the estimate 70
the next fiscal year exceeds that for the presen
81, 72S, 670.63.
Faithful guardians of the public treasury will
naturally inquire how does this happen Tn,
question demands candt answer, and | shall
proceed to give one which hope will be no les
satisfactory than free from all attempt at conceal
ment or disguise.
Department Proper.
Under this head the estimate for the next yea
falls below that for the present S44 ,097. 6S. This
results from the fact that there is no deficiency of
previous year to be provided for. Last year there
was deficiency Of 1884, 69 to be met. Now
there are unexpended balances on hand which, in
addition to the sum estimated, will supply the
wants of the Department.
Land Service.
The estimates under this head exceed those OF
last year Sl57, 1929 This is caused by the in
crease of expense consequent on the passage OF
the act Of 25th September, 1850, granting bounty
land ; by the contemplated extension Of the land
system over the newly acquired territory and by
the deficiencies i'll the estimates Of the last fiscal
year.
Indian affairs.
Here there is an excess over the estimates OF
last year Of 81 423 ,033 40 A reference to the re-
show that whilst many OF the items embraced in
the former estimate have been reduced or omitted
in the present, the aggregate Of the present esti-
mate has been increased by making provision for
deficiencies, which was not done in the estimate
of'last year, and by embracing large sums neces-
sary to carry into effect new treaty stpuatons,
and to extend our Indian relations into new Ter
ritories; in pursuance Of recent acts Of Congress
Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of
these latter items when it is remembered that our
Indian population has been almost doubled by our
recent acquisitions Of territory from Mexico
Pension Office.
In this item there is also an apparent excess OF
startling magnitude. 1t exceeds the estimate OF
last year S1,l45 ,469, SO. But little examination
will show that it is to great extent merely appa-
rent, and that so far it is real, it results from
cause, over which the Executive officers could ex-
ercse no control, and which are entirely consist
ent with the true interests of the country These
positions are susceptible of ready demonstration,
ae will proceed in few words to show.
The estimate Of last year fell short Of the actual
expenditures of the bureau, including the defcien-
ces of the preceding year, 1924 ,6SS As. This de-
fciency was supplied by the appropriation of
$500, 900 in the deficiency bill" of last session
of Congress, and by s364,6SS As, which sum is
embraced in the present estimate. Adding these
sums to the estimate Of last year, and the aeere-
gate is 50, 403, 945 %. Then deduct from the es
innate Of next year 1864 6SS as, which amount is
asked for to supply the deficiency of the present
year, and which is not properly chargeable to the
next, and the true amount of the estimated expen-
diture of the Pension Bureau for the ensuing wear
is ascertained to be S2,260 O37 sc, or sl43 9j7 81
less than the actual expenditure of the current
year, including the deficiency Of $3.50 900 for 1850.
This mode Of stating the account, however, al
though 1t exhlbltsa true comparison Of the present
estimates with the actual expenditures Of the cur
rent year, does not present fair view of the
amounts legitimately chargeable to the Pension