The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-07-15

1872, proposed by the gentleman from tennessee
Mr.. SAVAGE, requiring Ss,000,000 per annum
There are the ten new war steamers, proposed ~
my friend from Virginia, Mr.. BococK, $, JOG
The French spoliation bill, urged SO iorcloiy ey
the gentleman from Massachusetts,, Mr.. DAVIS,
which, if passed, will require $5,oOO,O00r The
duties to be refunded on goods destroyed by fire,
| do not know how much. Communication to the
heirs of revolutionary soldiers, do not know
| how much. Claims growing ont Of Indian wars
| in Oregon and Washington, urged by the Dele
gate from Oregon, and certified BY an Executive
officer, 100000. Then we have the Pacific
railroad, foretaste of the cost of which we have
had in 81 100000 expended already in the pub
LEGATION of the report of the surveys. .'~
Now, have shown that in all human proba-
bility the expenditures Of this Government will
he from ninety to one hundred million dollars.
To meet this, the Secretary, in his recent letter,
estimates the receipts for the first two quarters
at S25, 000, 600. We know, from comparison with
former years, that the receipts for the last two
quarters will not exceed the first, making the
aggregate of receipts $50, 000, 900, or deficiency
of over forty million dollars for next year.
ADMINISTRATION REMEDY LOANS AND TREASURY
NOTES.
And yet, sir, for this alarming condition of the
public finances, the Administration has no meas
ure of relief except loan bills, and paper money
in the form of Treasury notes. No provision is
made for their payment; no measures OF retrench-
ment and reform but these accumulated difficult
ties are thrust upon the future, with the IMPROVE
deuce of young spendthrift. While the Secre-
tary is waiting to foresee contingencies, we are
prevented by party majority from instituting
reform. Ii we indicate even the commencement
of retrenchment, or point out abuses, on this side
of the House, at once assaed by members
of the Committee of Ways and Means.
The only effort at retrenchment which / have
seen here successful, was that made by the gen.
tleman from Kentucky, Mr.. MASON in redu-
cling the number of officers employed. about this
Hall.
That the Committee of Ways and Means have
no purpose of commencing reform, we have
ample evidence in the appropriation bills before
us-more than sixty-nine million dollars.
This does not include permanent appropri-
atoms, amounting for this fiscal year to the sum
of 81, 436 582, nor does it include multitude of
bills appropriating money, from all the other
standing committees and we are told that other
bills are yet to be reported from the Ways and
Means Committee. We know, by sure expert
ence, that these appropriation bills are never d.
minished; they are increased in this House they
are sent to the Senate, and there they are over
loaded with items already rejected by the House.
Nor does this table include a class of expendi-
lures much more deserving public favor than
many OF the bills reported. The rivers and har-
bors of the West in vain demand Improvement
While millions are expended in your coast sur
veys and Atlantic defences, you scruple over a
comparatively small sum, absolutely necessary to
keep from destruction improvements already
commenced in the lake harbors
IT. while gentlemen are lavish in the public
money they would vote 5 500, 900 to the protec-
ton of the commerce of the great and growing
power in the Northwest it would show some kind
of justice and liberality. But, sir, the region of
country which will in q short time control the
destinies. of this nation; which now, in its al
most infancy, feeds your artisans and sailors,
and in time of war furnishes sturdy defenders of
your national honor, has appealed in vain for Or
binary repairs of their harbors, because flor
can see no other reason) they are not upon the
Atlantic coast. Time will soon cure this evil;
and we who come from the West will have the
power to legislate for ourselves, as the Atlantic
and Gulf coast has done in times past.
EXPENDITURES COMPARED WITH FORMER YEARS
desire now to call the attention of the House
to comparison of the expenditures of this year,
and of this Administration, with past expendi-
lures. have a table, carefully prepared from
official documents, E1. Docs, Nos. Is and co.,
as follows
Table shotcng The 'zpenSes Of the General Government
ercire Of the public debt and the population shosrn bv
COUSINS, during each decsnntai and 1857