The daily union., 1852-03-18
Tho t'ublic Expenditures,

The cubic Expsnaitur-s.
The enormous increase which has taken place in the |
public expenditures within the last few years is beginning
attract the attention which portant subject de-
mands Mr.. Buchanan has alluded to this subject in
Of his late letters in of patriotic earnesness
whilst an incidental discussion in the Senate few days
since, between Mr. Borand and Mr. Mangum, shows that
it destined play prominent part in the approaching
presidential canvass. In that discussion Mr.. Mangum
stated as fact that he remembered when an adminsta
ton was turned out OF Office because its expenditures
amounted to thirteen millions year that its successor
them up to twenty nine millions; and that they have
been going on increasing until they have reached fifty.
millions II cannot be expected that the people will
learn the fact that their expenditures have reached the
enormous sum of ffty.two millions of dollars in time
Of profound peace whou, holding their public agents TO
rigid accountability The impression which such an
announcement naturally makes on the public mind is,
that the public money has been wasted in extravagant
appropriations and this impression will continue until it
shall be removed by undoubed proof that the appropra
tions have been necessary and proper. If such un-
doubted proof be adduced, the question will be
presented with startling force, Upon whom rests the
sponsiblity OF this wasteful extravagance'
There arise controversy the fact that this
astounding increase OF expenditures has occurred during
whig administration; and upon the usual mode of rea
sonng. the conclusion would be irresistible that the
responsibility rests upon the wings. Mr. Mangum, who
is of the shrewdes taccans in the whig party felt
the force OF this presumption, and in the discussion
fened sought TO break its force by declaring that
man could pretend cay that the present administration
expended any money by order and authority OF law
The point of defence made for the wings s that although
they have the President the democrats have the two
houses OF Congress and money be expended
except under Of Congress. the responsibility devoves
upon the democrats We respectfully submit to dem
ocrac friends in Congress whether does not become
them 10 profit by this suggestion in their future action
upon the appropriation bills.
Ii will always turn out 10 be misfortune, when the
executive branch OF the government is in the hands Of
one party and the legislative branch in the other The
unavoidable result be- either that the responsibility
for expenditures becomes divided when it should be
single or there will be dou b to the responsible party,
and where there is doubt the guilty escapes.
In the present OF things, the most that the wings
can hope to accomplish will be to claim the benefit OF
doubt They have the President and the cabinet, and
their friends be the largest recipients OF the appro
praons The business OF making the estimates belongs
to the executive depar,nent-hey have the facts on
which the estimates are be made and they respon
sbe for the estimates SO made II Congress appropriaes
the amount estimated by the Executive, and that amount
turns out to be exravagant. the question springs up,
Who is responsible for the wasel The wings answer,
The democrats are responsible because they had The
power in Congress- and they allowed the appropriation to
be made The democratic answer, The wings are respon-
sble because the Executive called for the amount as
necessary He made his estimates upon the facts n his
possession and yielded to his estimates, because it
was no, possible thai Congress could detect the OF
the estimates and because have refused the appopria
tons according to the estimates would have been regard
cd a. factious In such controversy it may be easily
seen that the guilty may escape.
II must be borne n mind ,ha, is the duty oil the ex
ecuve departments to furnish to Congress the estimates
of amounts necessary TO carry the government These
estimates are subject the scrutiny OF the proper com
mtses in Congress- but how this scrutiny be effect
us when there is no sympathy existing between the bead
Of the department who makes the estimates and the head
of the committee who scru,nzes them II the head OF
depar,ment were disposed to have excessive approprs
tons for the benefit Of his friends to swell the purse
of the executive patronage, he could easily justify his
estimates with plausible facts and figures which would
battle the utmost scrutiny Of the committee The real
responsibility therefore, rests upon the Executive TO the
full extent OF the estimates; and when we told that
the administration spends no money except BY order Of
Congress. the responsibility is no, shifted With the
knowledge. however. that the question OF the puohc
expenditures is to become prominently involved IN 'ne
approaching canvass, and with the warning now gwen
that the whg, intend to evade responsibility oy railing
behind the democratic majority in Congress- 1t becomes
matter Of duty a. we'll as of policy in our democratic
fr;.nd. n, turn their attention seriously to the estimates
submitted, and give TO them the best investigation OF
which they are susceptible under all the circumstances