New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-28
JOLLY RxTRAvAGANCE.


A debate in the Senate on Wednesday last dis
closes some precious facts touching the expendi-
lures of the Government in the matter of printing
and publishing books and maps, in illustration of
the travels of naval gentlemen and other officials
Whist will the reader think when he is told that the
cost of publishing Lieut. Wilkess book, which grew
out of the Antarctic Exploring Expedition, has al
ready amounted to million and quarterof dollars3
SO says Mr. Clayton, in the debate to whichwe refer
He also stated that Commodore Perry's book on
Japan has cost the Government two hundred
thousand dollars, while three hundred thousand
dollars is the estimate for printing the reports and
engrayings of the recOnnoisances U the Pacific
Railroad routes. These expenses, let it be re-
marked, are not for any work done in the expe-
ditons referred to- but simply the cost of getting
an account of them upon paper, in readiness for
circulation. Was there ever such abominabe ex-
travagance and waste of the public money as this
NowOnder that Mr.. Crittenden exclaims that the
Senate Of the United States has become a great
publishing house, outyieing even the Harpers in
the extent and magnifcence of its publications.
The recognition of the fact, we are glad TO see,
diseusts him with the whole business, and leads him
to declare that he wishes to end put to it, 1t
is the same with Mr. Clayton, who is not less EN-
phatic in his denuncstiOn of these schemes Of indi
vidual profit and glory. We should like to know
how much money the various individuals connected
with these several publishing enterprises have
made. 1t would be curious exposure if they
could be anatomized and laid bare TO wondering
public. Yet these are but samples Of works of the
same description done BY the same authority and
at the same prodigal cost. There will be but too
much reason for rejoicing if the venerable Senators
from Delaware and Kentucky do not become molli-
fed by time and familiarity with these particular
expenditures, and sllow their spasm of economy TO
subside II takes Ainty nature TO resist the bland
seductons of the Federal capital in the matter of
the expenditure Of msney for whatever purpose;
and We confess no; without emotions Of regret that
il is not such gentlemen as the Senators we have
named to whom we look for persistent devotion TO
the maxims Of frugslity. OF our eminent public
men il is true that we find their impulses often
right, and their spontaneous sentiments IS fire.
quently just but it is also true that neither stand
the test of vigorous pressure. Greatness, said
Mr.. Burke, sis never exact" No doubt the spo-
thegm invented by him TO cover just such cases
as public life is constantly afording OF generous
| disregard Of the vulgar matters Of dollars and
cents. People burst into virtuous exclsmations
over some siupendous aggregate of conhscsted reve
nue., fched little by little from the national Golfers
and by this explosion consider their yirtuous sensbi
tiles and resolutions fully vndicated till like oc
casiou calls for Ike demonstration. Meantime,
the public servant. thus sPssmcdcslly affected,
dozes over the smaller pecsdiIloes of Official life,
and allows little things to become large aud small
extravagances to swell into downright robberies,
under the soothing influence of wine oysters, snd
ueclicen; ssnsuous existence Thus he remains
until some enormous pile, the results OF pecuniary
malsudirg is unveiled to the astonishment Of the
mosl Indifferent behOleer. Fired by such dis
eoyery suberirg virtue ssain rouses itself only to
sleep sssin til the recurrence of similar phe-
| nCmsnon.
thus il is that We fear TIE course Of the Senate,
alwsys marked By glorious stauence OF eXpend-
ture, viii receive no cheek from the demonstrS-
t'ons Of economy exhibited On "Wednesday. The
| great body CT tie members we have no doubt
looked upon them as harmless fireworks ornament
Ing their path; or to be more hOnely as sort Of
an occasional puttinS-to-ri9hts Of constantly
| Uttered spsrimtit Ne do2bt each ia. fe.t o.
having bis attention called 10 the klih sroasd hin
like drawing up bis shirts sni getting o4s of the
place ca tiptoe but when the dust rai.ei lad . B.
SIDED. esIhis likely T. Teatare back ard K; .zai.s