Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-08-24
q 4Olitital.
The Administration and its Acts.

The adjournment Of congress seems an appro-
pirate time to review the acts of the admnstra-
tioR, both what has been done by the executive,
and by congress. The principles upon which
it came into power have become embodied in
measures, and it is on their bearing on tile
great interests of the country, that the people
wil in this case, as they have in previous cases,
hear evidence and render judgment. Their
object always is to promote good government
and they will sustain an administration of their
affairs, mindful Of the rights and interests, and
worthy of the destiny of the country. If tried
by such a test, how will the administration
stand How have its acts corresponded with
the principles on which it came into power
Facts and results supply an answer that ap-
peals forcibly to every candid mind.
Let Us look first at domestic affairs. 1t is
fact no less remarkable than it is significant,
that the administrations Of both the Adamses,
and of Fillmore, all of the same political
school, run into system of lavish expenditures.
When jefferson came in President. he stated
that economy in the public expense that la
Dor might be lightly bnrdened, would be one of
the maxims he should act upon aud Jackson
declared that strict and faithful economy
was necessary, TO counteract that tendency 10
public aud private profigacy which profuse
expenditure was too apt 10 engender Both
had gross financial abuses 10 correct What,
however, were the abuses which jefferson had
10 lop off, aud the lavish scattering even of the
younger Adams day, compared with the loose
ness, the extravagance, and the GaIphinism of
the last administration! When President
Pierce commenced his official term, the recent
past proclaimed, in characters as legible as
ghey were aInentable, the necessity of an in
auguration of economy as the governing priu-
ciple, and Of business capacity as the corrective
agent, To work a reform. He, therefore, as to
domestic affairs, pledged himsefto the country
to demand devoted integrity in the public SER
vice, aud an observance of rigid economy in all
departments, so markt d as never Justly to be
questioned.
But 50 enormous were the abuses that had
crept into the public service so tempting and
adverse to their removal was thirty million
surplus, to excite the hordes of p.aciised spec
ulaiors aud punderers 50 lavish had congress
become in It's appropriations, that the disciples
Of the old Jeffersonian state rights school, en-
iertained but faint hopes that the corrupting
current could be stayed. Herculean, however,
as was the labor, the administration have
proved equal 10 the task. Useless expenditures
have been abolished old claims and ouistand-
gng accounts 10 an enormous amount, have
been settled; new books have literally been
Opened-lor the very system under which
fraud held carnival, has been changed for
another system fraught with the checking
element Of accountability and the revenue
laws have been rigidy enforced The wise
policy Of paying off the national debt, is steadi
ly carried out; and the surplus in the treasury
is faithfully applied, far it is practicable,
for this purpose. The doctrines of the strict
construction school, also, have been applied to
appropriations of the peoples money, by
gress and whether the unwise and uncunsti-
for multitude of works of internal improve
ment Of local character, the President has
had the hrmness 10 apply the executive veto.
In all this the administration has been true to
lis high trusts and its management of the
public revenue, 50 searching a work in all gov
ernments, aud so vital trust in our govern
ments, must commend itself to the appreciation
of the country.
And as to the domestic affairs generally,
vhen was there brought to them more compre-
hensive principle or higher business talent
When did official reports from heads of depart
nents evince greater capacity, or more intelli-
gent appreciation Of the wants of the several
departments, than those which emanated from
ihis cabinet! Il is but simple justice 10 say
that energy and efficiency mark every branch
of the public service. The secretary Of the
3reasnry Is executing the revenue laws with
vigilance and integrity that know no friends
and fear no consequences the secretary oc
war is carrying out the views embraced in his
masterly report, and our gallant army, scanty
and inadequate as it is, is guarding our frontier,
and maintaining our neutrality, by putting
down fllibustering the secretary of the navy,
by his siatesman-like plan for a reorganization
of the service, won the applause of the whole
country, and he is directing the affairs Of this
department with unquestioned ability and in-
ielligence if the secretary of the interior has
work less public, it is none the less important,
and In constant land surveys and sales he is
energetically laboring to develop the resources
OF Inc country; the postmaster general has in
fused promptness and fidelity into the great
channel of our home intercourse and the at
torney general is devOting his splendid abilities
to the dnties Of his Office with untirInp indus
try, great labor, and acknowledged success. Il
is the candid admission of such as have busi-
ness at Washington, that its members are strong
working men, and that there has rarely been
seen more systematic attention to the affairs Of
the nation than is to be seen now. This ener-
gy and capacity at the head must necessarily
be felt throughout the country, and promote
diligence, integrity and capacity wherever
there are duties to be performed