The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-11

promptly the financial exgency in which we find our
selves
IL not only the duty Of the President of the United
States to recommend TO Congress that of vi
tai Importance, but u further his duty Ii Congress
tai TO meet its responsibility in this crisis 10 Cotee Il
AGAIN IN e>tta session lie cannot escape from the
Bponspi'y that deyoyod npon him by the oonsttu-
ton The President of the United States and the secre
tary OF the treasury not only IN their regular communi
cations 10 congress but the latter in special report in
reply 10 resolution OF THIS House. tand he is in favor OF
"a saims announce that there will not be, from any
data the, have, sufficient revenue and that in all poba
pit ut the Close OF this fiscal year if the tariff be not
revised ue government VIII be without adequate funds.
Is TINS the attitude to be occupied by the friends of the
administration IN this House in such an emergency Is
that he position 1t Is TO assume when il II told by those
having control OF the government and whose duty IL is
to communicate with Congress- that revenue enough is
not TO be anticipated From what regu-
iatiy and fegtmstcly to derive information upon such
subjects This is government of law and order. There
are dnerent departments and various branches of the
puoc service IL Is the duty OF The President also Of
the Secretary OF the Treasury to communicate TO the
state of the finances and they have faithfully discharged
That duty They Insist that there is not enough
anu nave recommended revision OF the tariff
MI Chairman, one would suppose, from remarks
made I'D this House from time 10 time, that gentlemen
who undertake to talk this subject aid Who profess
be democrats and friends of the administration were its
adversaes, although they aided in bringing it into pow
err Who clothed the President with the high RESPONSE
biisy which he Is now called upon to assume Who
placed the Secretary OF the Treasury in position III
the democratic party Then sir, is 1t with the members
OF c democratic party here, with the elements of which
IL Is composed to ignore the Recommendation of those
ofcers! We cannot relieve ourselves by any sort of
nasty patchwork We cannot undertake to carry on ts
government in defiance OF what has been announced by
those whose Official duty it is to furnish the statistics in
tegau to the state Of the treasury 1t Is wise at
tempt to do so. We are not. in my judgment by such
revolutionary course scrsiby meeting responsible
ty know that ought to rctrcnch where it can prop
erly be done am an advocate for economy. under
81 and thp HINT f,a, .,t,
favor economy. But sir what is economy What does
it consist of You may denlolsh your government you
may strike down your navy, ard your army, and your
Judiciary, aud in that wise you may much
monsy than by some OF the inefficient modes Of curta
ment suggested by the gentlemen. But would that be
wise
am told that your annual expenses some years ago
only thirty forty million dollars but that they
now over seventy million What deduction is to bc
m,de from that That there has necessarily been n
wasteful expenditure OF the public money! That sir. is
non sequiur Yon must point out to me in what that
wascfn expenditure consists Show where any money
has bscn imprcpeily expended demonstrate to me where
any may be saved and am ready to with any gentle
man. care not of what party, TO curtal such improper
expenditure But sir, it is not sufficient fur me, in
view OF the exhibits made by the President and the
Secretary OF the Treasury, to say that there have been
wastcful expenditures 1t may be said that this free
country, and that if cannot shoes he go
barefoot The President may go down the avenue with
out boots and with his elbows ont but that would not
be in keeping with the rcspectablity of his position
with his duty indeed to tho people OF the United States
We may save great deal, but It may not bc wise
economical to do So We must act up to the occasion !;
we must mectr.l Of our responsibilities In making
tariff for revenue, you not mainly to consider the
question how far any particular interest may thereby
protected
Mr.. LOVEj0Y. would like to inquire of the gem
tleman from Maryland whether 1t Is not his view that
this revenue thus raised is really tax uon the
mcr of the articles upon which the mpost is laid II
so then why wonld it not be cheaper way and more