Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-03-16
Government Expenditures Garnett's
Speech.


The Hon. M. r. II. GARNET, of this State, is a
member Of Congress who is, we believe. sincerely
DESTROYS of retrenching the expenses of the Gov
ern.,ent. He does not confnc himself, we OBJ
serve to nero professions Of economy; but he illus
tra,es lis faith by his works, and votes invariably
agains, every project Of wild and useless expendi-
ture.
We have recently had the satisfaction of reading
n speech delivered by him in tho House Of Repre-
sentatves, wherein no descends from gcncr"lities
to particulars, and shows precisely aud speefcally
wherein the expenses Of Government may be cut
down. Other professed econem have been content
with general lamentations over the national prod-
gality, without presuming to suggest single prae-
teal mode Of relief Mr.. Garnett feels, very pro-
rerly. that such cheap professions 50 for nothing
in the popular estimation. lie concludes, sen'bly
enough that an honest economist will designate
the precise means for accomplishing whatever ho
may express desire II see accomplished.
Before calling attention to the particular items
of expenditure on which Mr.. Garnet proposes
reduction, We insert one or two preliminary re.
marks:
But few year ago. in lsjl-52, the cxpcndi
lures, exclusive of payments account Of the
public debt and Awards under the then recent trea
ty with Mexico. were $50, 22.099; and in lSi2-j3
the expenditures, exclusive Of the same pay mcnts
on account Of tho public debt $40, 54I, 2G2.
Last year, in 1888, they were s. 49, and
the estimates asked for, for the next fiscal year,
exclusive of payments of public debt amount to
$7l2j4,633.
Now beg the committee to remember TIM, this
country is as largo at this moment rs it was in
ls5l-52, with the exception of the iadsden pnl.
chase. beg the committee To remember that, if
the country now extends from ocean to ocean: il
it stretches from Puget Sound to Key West and he
Toriugas il it now spreads from the Aroostock Ia
San Diego ] beg them to remoml g: that so it did
in lS5l-52. liyou have to protect and defend
and maintain your Government throughout the
whole Of this vast region which now occupy.
we held the same region and had the same duties
and functions to fulfill six years ago.
it is just, that It 10 legitimate, that the expenses
Of this Government, in time Vt profound peace.
should have doubled in six v'arsg Look through
the list of items and you will find that the expen-
ditures have doubled in almost every item. Is
there no place to apply the knife
Proceeding to answer Mr.. Phillips of pcnnsyl,
vania, who had said that the expenses of tie GOV.
eminent did not admit of reduction. Mr. Gar
nett specifies some ofthe particular points of re.
duction a. follows:
First, there are the legislative expenditures
In six years they have grown from 81 1880 To
g. 5S3, 524. Does the gentleman from Pcnnsyl-
vana think that nothing eau he Topped of there
Why continue your vnst printing expenses? Why
should Government enter into the book publishing
business, unless it 10 to maintain party presses
here. and to furnish yourselves with documents
and books for electioneerng!
Mr.. 0arnett here strikes the true keynote Of
the enormous printing expenses. II is "to main
tain party presses" and to furnish members with
documents and books for elecionctring" Com
mend us to q politician. no matter Of what party,
that will honestly speak the truth,
Now, look at the salaries Of the surveyors of
Your public lands. They constitute rather "A
small item but wish to illustrate this subject in
email, items as woA % in large ones In lS5l-52,
they were S72,528; last year they were SlG3,7l7
In the former year the Mint establishment cost
$4,000 now it costs $6l3,4S7 Why is that :
Is it because you have more gold and silver to
coini Not At all 1t is because, under the vile
system growing up in this country. when you
spend money in one district you are called on to
expend like sum in another.
Here are some further instances of unnecessary
increase in the expenditure together with an "a.
planation Of Ne cause:
The collection If the revenue cost 80 OSo. G53 in
1852 and y ,S07 49, last year. The Secretary of
the Treaanry-and will have something to saw
presently in answer 70 the gentleman from Penn
sylvania, In dsfencs Of that oficcr-has reported
bill to reduce those expenditures. lie proposes
TO abohsh numerous custom houses where no GUS
toms are collected, and cut of numerous Offices
that are Of NO use. But who will assis, us to take
up that bill and act upon t' Will the other side
OF the House Will the gentleman from Penn.
sylvsnis, or his colleague? doubt it. You,
lighthouse establishment has, in six wears in
creased in expense from 1897 .466 to ST. 100 s57
Whyf Not In consequence of necessary lights
On many parts OF the northern coast the Light
are 80 numerons that they are source of danger
to the navigafora Instead of guiding them throucl
the shoais and rocks. they mslead them to thci
destruction. I fear it was not the lights, but thu
patronage that was needed.
Rem tetigiss ecu, Mr.. Garrett. 1t was not til,
lights, but ''the patronage that was needed
And it is this same patronage that is at tn,
bottom Of oil these useless and unnecessary ex
penditurcs.
Mr. Gatnett next goes on to psrticularize the
various appropriations which he would reduce in
amount. He proposes to suspend for the prcsen,
tho work upon the public buildings in Washing
ton, and the sasioas useless aud costly c,rston
i,oasss thrcaSh the country. In this way h,
reduces the appropriations, for the next year, two
millions 1t one dash. He then comes to tn.
Navy:
I4s&&sstlLs Navy Department for the ven
asIlsss q. s s;a s c7e md
crease raises At lsasts presumption that something