Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-08
pnhlin NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of REFORM.

When Senator Crittenden made an exposure
in reference to the extraysgant expenditures Of
the Government, shortly after the adjournment
of Congress, last summer, the adherents of the
Administration, with one voice, denied the ale
CATION. But now the fact of extravaganza stands
confessed, aud the unanimous cry is for retrenoh
ment and reform. Mr.. Garrett, OF Virginia,
stated last week, in the House of Representa-
tives, that the expenses of the legislative depart
ment were at this time $S,500,OOO, when SIX
years ago they were only S, 25O,0 900. The Wash
ington States says: "EverybOdy-Whig, Demo
crat, Free Trader and Observation-Disclosures that
the expenditures of Government are exorbitant
beyond endurance" The Richmond Examiner
says; "The treasury is empty, our expenses are
double the revenue of the Government, and we
are borrowing from twenty to thirty millions OF
dollars to meet the existing deficit. The GUS
toms are yielding only 4O,OOO,OOO Of dollars per
annum, whilst the necessary expenditures OF the
Government are nearly SO,O0O,OO0." Well may
the Examiner say also, 1--WE are now standing
upon the brink of the very precipice from which
Van Buren, was hurled in 1S40."
The States reproduces letter written by Mr.
Buchanan in February. 1862, with view to the
then pending Presidential canvass. He specified
the issues upon which the Democracy could GO
before the country, calculating confidently upon
the support of the people, and among them men
toned "a rigid economy of public expenditures.
'These expenditures" he said, shave now reach
ed the enormous sum Of FIFTY MILLIONS Of dotSar
per Gnnun1, and unless arrested in their advance
by the strong arm of the Democracy OF the
country, may, in the course of q few years
REACH ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS" 81 am con
0iRced," he continued, shat our expenses olgh
to be considerably reduced beloto the present stan
dardn The expenditures are now approxima
ting Mr.. Buchanans maximum, and who, more
than any one else, is responsible for til The
States ironically argues that the disposition
the Presidents associates "to lavish outlay o
thepublic money, is grati6ed in spite of the sal
utary restraints imposed by his counsel and ex
ample"
Various plans of reform are proposed. Some
urge that it is best to borrow money for tn
support of Government, as a means Of ccmpellin:
economy in expenditures. A large nationa
debt, as the Richmond Examiner remarks
"would be splendid legacy for the Administra
ton to leave to grateful country" The Sec
rotary of the Treasury recommends the abolition
of the ranking privilege, an increase OF lette
postage, and the postponement OF the construc
ton of certain post offices, custom houses AM
court houses. The lower house of Congress wa
lately exercised over proposition to reca
nearly all of our Foreign Ministers, in order t
save expenses. A newspaper correspondent
proposes to call in the forty millions OF dollar
which were deposited" with the States in 1886
Mr.. Stanton, Of Ohio, goes for striking down tn
Army to the peace footing of 1920, for strikin
down the Navy, curtailing the Post Office eS
penditures, &C.; but Mr.. Oochrane, OF NeN
York, suggests that this would detorm, not re
form the public service. Mr.. Letoher propose
to curtail the mileage Of members of Congress
and allow them only the necessary and actu'
expenses of travelling by the direct route fror
their homes to tho capital. The whole matter
however, is in the hands of q committee appoint
ed by the caucus of Democratic members of tn
House, and we may expect luminous report i
few days. In the mean while the House ha
boldly entered upon the work Of retrenchmen
without waiting for the committee. Two boxe
have heretofore been allowed to each member
in which to send home his public documents
but on Thursday last clause in the general az
preparation bill allowing $4,000 for this purpose
was stricken out, and that large sum is thu
saved to the treasury The country cannot b
too grateful for this act of selfdenia on the par
of the members.