The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-24
Public Expenditures.

The Union does not seem well pleased with
our remarks upon one Of the resolutions of the
Pennsylvania Democratic Convention, which
charged the Administration with enormous
appropriations of public money, approaching in
time Of peace to the war Standard" and comes
forward to defend its political friends and sus-
tain the charge.
We are, of course, well aware that the pub
lie expenditures of the nation are much larger
than they were during the administration of
JOHN Quincy ADAMS, when the same charge
was made by the same party, though the appro-
priations then averaged only about twelve mil
lions and half per annum-much less than
those Of the succeeding administration-Ge
raj JAcKsoN's-and greatly less than those of
Mr.. VAN BUREN's.
II would be very singular, indeed, if the pub
lie expenditures did not increase in some mea-
sure with the growth of the country and the
consequent increase of public business But
they have been swelled by other causes than
the mere natural growth of the country; they
have been made to approach the war standard
In time of peace, by the necessity of paying the
arrearages of awar of conquest, Of paying for
extensive territories purchased, Of the enemy,
and for establishing governments in, and pro-
tecting those large and distant territories,
where, as all are aware, nothing can be done
but-at most enormous cost
In replying to the groundless assault upon
the Administration by the Pennsylvania Con-
vention, we stated what were the relative du-
ties of the Executive and of Congress in regard
TO appropriations; that it devolved upon the
former to furnish the legislative body with es-
Inmates of the money required to meet the pub
lie engagements and carry on the Government,
as a basis for the appropriations and that it
then became the duty of Congress to examine
these estimates, and if satisfied of their correct
ness, to make the appropriations; if not, to
withhold them. The duty Of the one ceases
where that of the other commences, and for the
performance of these respective duties, each is
responsible to the nation for its own excu-
sively.
But the Union, anxious TO impress the pub
lie mind with the idea that some egregous
wrong has been done, is, nevertheless, solicit
tous to screen Democratic Congress from all
responsibility, and throw the whole upon the
Executive. We deny that any thing has been
done which ought not to have been done; but
that, right or wrong Congress and the Execu-
tive are equally responsible; the latter for the
estimates, and the former for whatever appro-
priations are made, either upon the estimates
furnished, or for purposes with which these
have nothing to do.
Our neighbor, however, in endeavoring 10
screen Congress from the wrong which it
wishes to have understood has been done, saws
that, "if Congress was in perpetual session, it
could not sift every item Of the enormous
amounts that Mr.. MEREDITH and Mr.. CoRwIN
have demanded" Now, we beg leave TO diff
fer from the special Democratic central organ.
Every estimate sent TO Congress by the Exc
cutive must be based upon some existing law,
or must be authorized by law to be enacted.
They are, as the Union is aware, sent to APP
propriate committees, where they undergo
close and searching scrutiny.
II Is the duty of these several committees 10
see that every item called for is authorized by
law; or. eff expenditures are proposed which
are not in accordance with an existing law, il
becomes their special duty TO examine the sub