Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-02-19
q" No Member of the Cabinet
implicated"

-.4t.- 900. ILL PAASoeON' ...
Economy in the administration of public af-
fairs, is one of the distinguishing features Of
1epublicanism. 1t is, to be sure, somewhat
indefnite principle. in itself, depending very
much upon circumstances for its definition
Principles of economy that nation, State or
individual might be forced to adopt, in certain
stages of their existence, from necessity, might
be repudiated n,eanness at more advanced
periods. The principle of political economy,
that "frugality ensures prosperity" applies as
well to nations as to individuals; and this is
amply demonstrated in the history of our gov
eminent. We commenced our political exis-
tence, eschewing the idea of our mother coun-
try, that "a national debt is national bless
ing We acknowledged no ensignia of no
bility, but that of gcn,us--no titled rank above
menta! supremacy-no aristoracy but that of
opinion. Our system of government sought
MOTTO foster and pamper purse proud officials,
but rather to furnish adequate compensation
to all its public officers, according to the duties
required of them. -...
In the rapid growth of our country, howev-
er. these principles have become modified
somewhat in proportion 10 our national ad-
vancement and prosperity, but we have not yet
fallen so low as to tolerate open extravaganza
and profigacy in the administration of our
public affairs, nor SO recreant to the principles
upon which our government was founded ,as to
allow official station to cover up iniquity and
private peculation. -...... ....
At no period of our existence has there been
SO much iniquity of this nature, in high places,
as has been developed in the history of the
present administration. To such an extent
have the Cabinets of Gen. Taylor and Mr.. Fill
more been implicated in frauds upon the govern
ment, that it has been found necessary to &C.
company the public announcement of recent
government fraud, by the qualifying exculpa-
tory and consoling statement, that "no member
Of the Cabine ,oas implicated thersin." The
presumption of law has been sadly reversed, it
seems, and now guilt, instead of innocence is
taken 10 be the rule. Nor is this without
cause. The extravaganza and profigacy of the
present administration, as manifested in the
.frauds upon the treasury that have been ex-
posed, and the great increase in the expenses
of the Federal government that are made man
ifest by the public exhibit of the figures, call
loudly for reform. Retribution has already
reached some of the prime movers, in their in
iquitous course, and the public condemnation
is fast settling down upon all connected by af-
fnity of feeling or party association, with
them. Many friends of the administration--to
- H., A.
necessity for reform in this matter. We pro-
pose to adduce the testimony of one of these
the Hon. Truman Smith, of Connecticut. In
recent speech of his, in the U. S. Senate, he
uttered the following:
"When Came into Congress, the received
opinion among members was, that the expend-
lures of the government should in no event ex-
coed about twenty one millions of dollars per
annum and remember well that the expen-
ditures BY Gen. Jacksons and MIR. Van Buren's
administrations of about twenty-one millions
of dollars per annum, during what is usually
denominated the Harrison campaign, was held
up in contrast with the expenditures of the ad-
ministration under John Quincy dams, as be-
ing perfectly enormous. and in the highest de-
gree corrupt But what is now the state of
things These expenditures have been car.
millions of dollars and it is a painful duty for
me to discharge, when L say. what l verify be-
lieve. that corruption and extravaganza in the
Government have increased just about in the
same proportion as the increase of our expen-
ditures-more than one hundred per cent. 1t
is high time that public attention should be
called to this matter. Indeed our Government
has made progress, and am sorry to say it, in
extravaganza and corruption during the last
few years, which should awaken and alarm all
good citizens of the country"
Wing testimony, as this is, it is vain for the
wing press to endeavor to shirk the response
bility by declaring that they are in a minority
in Congress, and are consequently not account
able for the expenses of government. The in
crease in the expenditures of sthc government
arising from the carrying out of measures
commenced under democratic administrations,
the democracy will father, but according to
Senator Smiths testimony, corruption and er-
trauagance in the Government have increased
just about in the same proportion, as the in
crease of our erpendames." Verify, there Is
something rotten in Denmark that calls for
democratic reform. U rr... -l .",t ..