Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-31
THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURES.

THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURES.
The enormous increase which has taken place in
the public expenditures within the last few years is
beginning to attract the attention which important
la subject demands. Mr.. Buchanan has alluded TO
this subject in of his late letters in terms of pa
oic earnestness, whilst an incidental discussion in
the Senate, few days since, between Mr. Borland
and Mr.. Mangun, shows that il is destined to play
prominent part in the approaching Presidential cam
Vass. In that discussion, Mr. Mangum stated as d
fact that he remembered when administration was
turned of office because its expenditures amount
ed thirteen millions years that its successor run
them up to twenty nine millions; and that they have
been going increasing until they have reached ht
y-twO millions. ltcannot be expected that the peo-
pie will learn the fact that their expenditures have
reached the sum of fifty.two millions of
dollars, in time of profound peace, without holding
their public agents TO d rlgd accountability. The
impression which such an announcement naturally
makes the public mind is, that the public money
has been wasted i'll exravagant appropriations and
this impression will continue until it shall be remov-
ed by undoubted proof that the appropriations have
been necessary and proper. It such undoubted proof
cannot be adduced the question will be presented
with startling force, Upon whom rests the RESPONSE
bility of this Wasteful extravaganza
There arise no controversy to the fact that
the astounding increase OF expenditures has occurred
during wing administration; and, upon the usual
mode OF reasoning, the conclusion would be irresis-
BILE that the responsibility rests upon the whigs MIR.
Mangum, who is one of the shrewdest tactclans in
the wing party, felt the force Of this presumption,
and in the discussion referred to, sought to break Its
force by declaring that man could pretend to say
that the present administration expended any money
by order and authority of law. The point OF de-
fence made for the wings Is, that although they have
the President the democrats have the two Houses OF
Congress and as no money can be expended except
under acts of Congress, the responsibility devoives
upon the democrats. We respectfully submit to orr
democratic friends in Congress whether it does not
become them to profit by this suggestion in their flu
ture action upon the appropriation bills.
1t
the executive branch of the government is in the
hands of party and the Legislative branch in the
other. The Unavoidable result must be, either that
the responsibility for expenditures becomes divided
when 1t should be single, or there Will be doubt as
to the responsible party, and where there is doubt
the guilty escapes.
wings can hope to accomplish will be to claim the
benefit of doubt They have the President and the
cabinet, and their friends TO be the largest reclPi
ents of the appropriations. The business OF making
the estimates belongs to the executive department.
they have the facts which the estimates TO be
made. and they responsible for the estimates so
made. Ii Congress aPpropriates the amount estma-
ted by the Executive and that amount turns out to be
extravagan, the question springs up, Who is respon-
sible for the waste! The wings answer, The demo-
Gratis are responsible because they had the power in
Congress- and they allowed the appropriation to be
made. The democrats answer, The wings are re-
sponSible because the Executive called for the amount
as necessary He made his estimates upon the facts
in his possession, and yielded to his estimates be
cause it possible that Congress could detect
the of the estimates, and because to have
fused the appropriations according to the estimates
would have been regarded factions. In such a
controversy it may be easily that the guilty
may escape.
1t must be borne in mind that it is the duty Of the
executive departments to furnish Congress the
Inmates of amounts necessary to carry the govern
ment. These estimates subject to the scrutiny of
the proper committees in Congress but how this
scrutiny be efectua when there is no sympathy ex-
listing between the head of the department who makes
the estimates, and the head Of the committee who
scrutinizes them If the head of department were
disposed to have excessive appropriations for the
benefit of his friends. to swell the purse of the
ecutve patronage, he could easily justify his estimates
with plausible facts and figures which would battle
the utmost scrutiny of the committee. The real re-
sponsibiity, therefore. rests upon the Executive
the full extent of the estimates and when told
| that the administration spends money except by
order of Congress- the responsibility is not shifted
With the knowledge, however, that the question OF
the public expenditures is to become prominently in
volved in the approaching canvass, and with the
warning now given that the wings intend to evade
| responsibility by falling behind the democratic majo-
rity in Congress. it becomes matter of duty we'll
as policy in democratic friends their
tention seriously to the estimates submitted and give
to them the best investigation of which they are sus-
ceptbe under all the circumstances.
! Washington Union.