Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-14
The Deficiency Bill.

The passage OF this measure by decided
majority, just after it had been defeated, will
occasion surprise among those not familiar
with the secret springs Of Federal legislation
That a number of Black Republicans should
have come to the aid Of an Administration to
which they avow such hostility, can only be
accounted for by the fact that they were more
or less dependent upon the grant of money
by Congress to carry out measures in which
themselves or their constituents were inter-
ested.
The opposition Of the Southern Democracy
was to the general and growing evil that pub
lie functionaries pay too little regard TO the
limitations Of law, and allow expenditures
which Congress has not authorized. It's q
modern practice of the government and one
that ought to be corrected. 1t is time to in-
augarate responsibility and economy. TWAS
to this habit Of the Departments that the
Southern Democracy objected, as was shown
by the resolutions Of Mr.. Garrett, who de-
sired to recommit the bill for the purpose OF
getting rid of certain obnoxious items which
it contained. 1t was thought the House
might be compelled to give up the particular
items complained Of, and then to pass the bill
substantially as it came from the committee.
There was no disposition to deprive the Ad.
minstration OF the means of carrying on the
Mormon war, or to postpone the organization
of the volunteer force to be raised for that
purpose.
We have taken pains to ascertain whether
the Southern opposition to the bill indicated
any want of confidence in the Administration
or any disposition to embarrass 1t; and we
are satisfied there was none &C., &c.
We see that MIR. Letcher appears as the
patron of the Deficiency bill; and, it is said,
much was achieved by his energy, as we'll as
BY bis we'll established reputation for honesty
and economy. But where, let us ask, was
the chairman OF the Committee lie ls, II
We mistake not, Mr. j. CLANCY Jones, gee
tleman whose name has figured greatly IN
the party programmes of the past four years.
The extravagant eulogies OF MIR. Jones,
with which the papers then abouuded, lea
us to believe that the Administration would
find great difficulty in designating an office
the duties of which would be sufficient to
OCCUPY bis abilities. lie was spoken OF as
the head of the Treasury, and perhaps as
Minister to some Foreign Court. But OF late
Mr.. Jones seems to have collapsed like tall
water spout He has disappeared from the
political horizon, and is not to be distinguish
ed from other members of the rather hume
rous family of "Jones." We do not even
find him presiding over his own Committee OF
this important crisis, or providing for the AID
ministration the ways and means to carry on
its civil duties or its military policy. This,
We thought, would have been mere trfie to
Mr.. Jones.
We are glad the Deficiency bill is out Of
the way, and we hope those who are charged
With the duty of exec utiug the laws. will re-
member that 10 future there may not be the
same patriotic readiness for iodulging their
subordinates in q careless use of the public
means, and that it becomes Democratic Ad-
mnistration to correct abuses, whether they
have been sanctioned by the example of the
past, or rely for excuse upon the exigences
of the sent.-Rich. South.