Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-09-15
WING RECKLESSNESS.

WING RECKLESSNESS.
The wings always rely on deception, and no
deception is too monstrous to be attempted by
them. We have before us wing electioneer-
ing document, published for distribution from
the same office with the Republic newspaper
which charges the democratic party with extrav-
agance, by affirming that although Mr.. Polk was
elected with professions of economy, the ex-
penses of the government soon jumped up from
twenty.one or two millions, to sixty millions
per annum."
The first year Mr.. Folks administration de-
frayed the expenses Of the government, and
paid war expenses and public debt to the
amount of four millions of dollars, at cost to
the Treasury of only twenty-eight Millions
Mr.. Polk administered the government and de-
faryed the expenses of a foreign war, which was
forced upon the country by the invasion of our
own territory, with less annual expenditure
than the wing administration requires to con-
duct the government in time of peace. The
greatest outlay during this administration, was
in the fiscal year ending June, 30th, lS47.-
That year the expenses of the government and
the expenses combined, amounted to less than
ffty.six millions of dollars. The next year
they were, with the payment to Mexico added,
less than forty-four millions,and the fourth year
less than thirty-two millions of dollars. There
was rapid reduction, even in time of war
Then the wings came into power. The war
was over. Our troops had been withdrawn
from Mexico, and all but the regular army dis
banded, yet the wings Immediately exceeded the
appropriations by about six millions OF dollars,
and expended nearly thirty-two millions OF dol
lars independent Of payments on account OF the
public debt and the expenses of collecting the
revenue. The second year they expended near
" forty.two millions of dollars, independent Of
payments on accounts of the public debt, and
the expenses of collecting the revenue; and the
returns for the last, and the estimates for the
next year show that they are still going on in
their career of extravaganza.
The charge of the wing document to which
we have alluded, is shameful perversion; for
the records prove beyond all question that
emitting the payment on account OF the public
debt, the average annual expenditure under Mr.
Folks administration, achich conducted a. foreign
war, acas less than that of the subsequent Wing
administration in a time of profound peace. If
Folks administration was extravaganza. what
words can express the corruption aud profligacy
of the last three years, which has carried the
cost of the government beyond war expendi-
ture, and at the same time has been attended
WIFI degree OF lucillCleHCy uucAdulptcu I'LL tHe
history of the country? There has been disor-
der or corruption in every branch of the public
service. When the wings took charge of the
departments they received them in the most
perfect condition. But Immediately confusion
took the place of order, and wasteful expendi-
lures took the place of economy, when the gov
eminent fell into the hands Of party familiar
with an idea of corruption, and which honest,
competent and experienced men were driven
from the public service in obedience to a blind
and vindictive system of prescription, which
placed in office hundreds Of incompetent and in
experienced men, and men who had no recon-
mendation for public trust but unftness for any
other The expenditure of the government has
been carried beyond war expenditure; yet a
handful of naked savages defy our power and
ravage the frontiers with impunity. Naval Off
GERS complain of the inefficiency of the navy
Every actual return overthrows the calculations
of the Treasury. The public mails have almost
ceased to be trustworthy means of commune
cation. A glance at statement expenditures
shows the condition of the Interior Department.
and illegal of expenditures and constantly recur-
ring deficiency bill, following enormous appro-
priations, show that extravaganza and corrup-
ton 90 hand in hand with neglect and inefii-
cheney. Wash. Union.