The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-09-02
3,565,635 81
96e,OOO,OOO 90


Thus we find that the expenditures for the
year ending June 80, 1859, amount to the
sum Of $6S,O00, 900, instead Of $92, 900 900,
as estimated by the gentleman from Ohio
If the wishes Of the President and Cabinet,
and large majority of the Democratic
members OF Congress, could have prevailed;
the expenditures would have fallen below
this sum. The result, however, demon
strutes most conclusively that the conjectur-
al estimates of the gentleman from Ohio
were not within millions of the true amount,
and should cause the people to distrust all
theoretical and imaginative calculations on
subjects of SO much Importance to their well
fare.
And, in this connection, permit me to ex-
press my cordial approval of the sentiments
embodied by the President in his annual
message, in which he declares that
"An overdowing Treasury has led to ha-
bits of prodigality and extravaganza in our
legislation. 1t has induced Congress to
make large appropriations to objects for
which they never would have provided had
it been necessary to raise the amount of re-
venue required to meet them by increased
taxation or by loans. We are now compel.
led to pause in our career, and to scrutinize
our expenditure with the utmost vigilance !;
and in performing this duty, pledge my
cooperation TO the extent of my constitu-
tional competency.
"It ought to be observed at the same
time that the true public econ omy does not
consist in Withholding the means necessary
to accomplish important national objects in
trusted to us by the Constitution, and es-
pecially such as may be necessary for the
common defense. In the present crisis of
the country it is our duty to confine our sp-
propriations to subjects of this character,
unless in cases where justice to individuals
may demand different course. In all
cases care ought to be taken that the mo.
ney granted by Congress shall be faithfully
and economically applied.
"Under the Federal Constitution, 'every
bill which shall have passed the House of
Representatives and the Senate, shall, be.
fore it becomes a law be approved, and
signed by the President and, if not ap.
proved, she shall return it with his obiec-
tions to that Honse in which it originated ,
In order to perform this high and response.
BILE duty, sufficient time must be allowed
the President to read and examine every
bill presented to him for approval. Unless
this be afforded, the Constitution becomes a
dead letter in this particular and even
worse, it becomes means of deception.
Our constituents, seeing the Presidents ap.
proval and signature attached TO each act of
Congress, are induced to believe that he has
actually performed this duty, when, in truth,
nothing is, in many cases, more unbound.
ed.
"From the practice Of Congress, such an
examination Of each bill as the Constitu-
ton requires has been rendered impossible.
The most important business of each ses-
sion is generally crowned into its last
hours, and the alternative presented to the
President is either to violate the constitu.
tional duty which he owes to the people,
and approve bills, which, for want Of time,
it is impossible he should have examined, or
by his refusal to do this, subject the country
and individuals to great loss and inconveni-
ence.