Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-08
The Caucus on Saturday Night.


for the payment of the treasury notes now
maturing. and that the deficiency should be
met bv n reduction in the expenses of the gov
rrnment 1t is rs follows:
Resolved. That means ought 10 lie provided
for the payment of the outstanding Treasury
notes. and the deficiencies Of the Treasury
should be met by reduced expenditures ofthe
government.
Mr. Garnett showed that the Secretary OF
the Treasury moderated future receipts. lie
argued that these would be sufficient, with
proper economy. Would any gentleman
have supposed that the expenses Of the gov
eminent could have doubled within the last
five years? Such is the fact. The country
will hold the Democratic party responsible
if those vast expenditures be not reduced
To this end he suggested that the lighthouse
establishment be made self-sustaining, by a
small tax on commerce. which alone is bene-
fitted By it: that the Post Office Department
be made self sustaining, by an increase of
, the rates of postage. authorizing star bids,
abolishing the franking privilege, cutting
down the expensive overland mail routes,
confirming the expenses of the ocean mail ser
vice to the receipts. He would also cut down
the expenses Of printing: for why should the
government become great book mantactur-
ing establishment? He would suspend all
appropriations for the Capitol Extension, ex-
cept Il limited amount necessary 10 protect
property from injury He would reduce the
expenses of the coast survey. or limit the
appropriation therefor lie would reduce
the appropriations for the army one million,
and three millions Of those for the navy. He
was glad that the Committee of Ways and
Means had reduced the appropriations for
Notifications from six hundred and itty-slx
thousand To forty three thousand.
Mr.. Ealandigham suggested various
reductions of appropriations in the ar
nv. navy, and other bills. lie thought
that the expenses of the Executive de-
partmrnts had been unnecessarily in
creased. The expenditures should be
brought back to strictly economical point,
in order to save the Democratic party, as
will benefit the country.
Mr.. Crawford seconded the views Of Mr..
Garnett, and showed how ten millions of the
amount now asked by the departments might
be saved. This would reduce the appro-
priations to sixty-two millions for the next
fiscal year. He believed that the income
from customs would be fifty-six millions; the
income from lands and other sources nine
millions, leaving surplus of three millions.
This. however, would render it necessary to
extend the operation of the Treasury-note
law. in accordance with the recommendation
of the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. Cavanaugh was opposed 10 raising
revenue from the public lands. which belong
to the people, and should be given to actual
settlers. 1t was no part of the policy Of tho
Democratic party to derive money from their
sale. He was sorry to hear Mr.. Crawford
say the Homestead hill will not pass the Se-
nate: and would merely add. that he had
higher appreciation than the gentleman of
Georgia had of the wisdom Of that body.
Mr.. Phelps, Of Missouri, stated that APP
preparations were made under existing laws;
that the Committee of Ways and Means had
reduced them as far as possibe that to effect
some of the proposed retrenchments 1t would
be necessary to repeal the statutes for light
house establishments. DC. The expenses OF
the army and navy had been augmented from
the increased demands of the country Tor
their services The transportation of sup
plies 10 Utah alone. and the support OF the
army there, constituted very heavy expendi-
turc. lie would go as far rs proper with
gentlemen to reduce the expenditures. but IT
was necessary to grant the various Depart
mrnts sufficient money 10 carry on the pub
lie service.
Mr.. Stephens. Of Georgia, thought it proper
to chock this tendency to expansion. The
amount demanded was unnecessary and
ought to be withheld iJo agreed with Mr.
Garnctt and Mr.. Crawford, in all they had
said il. regard to the reductions, and re-
marked that President Buchanan's letter.
complaining Of the increased expenditures
of the government WAS one OF the strongest
ccctoncering documents, and if the Pres
idcnt could succeed in reducing the expenses
to forty millions, he would become popular
throughout the country.
Mr.. Smith, of Tennessee. differed from the
gentleman who preceded him. He did not
believe reductions could be made in the man.
ner suggested. 1t would be necessary first to
repeal the laws which require appropriations,
and thus lay the foundation for greater econo-
nv. No one felt the Importance OF economy
more than he, coming from Tennessee where
the question was made test in close and
sometimes uncertain political battles. But
he was not prepared To reflect on heads OF
departments, hy saying their estimates were
so largely over the amount necessary. lie
would, however. be- willing To unto with
gentlemen most heartily to reduce expenses
where il could be done without dctriment to
the public service.
Mr. Sicklcs thought the estimates had been
reduced 10 the lowest point of the depart
ments making them. twas more important
they BE- adhered to than attempt to strike
JGwn these appropriations without knowing
whether they are necessary or not. lie
trusted gentlemen would pay Il little more de-
ference to their friends III authority, who
have manifested a. great anxiety as them
selves 10 reduce the expenditures.
Mr.. Smith Of Virginia, proposed To- nitro
duce resolution in the House, on Monday,
declaring it proper to Reduce mileage and
compensation Of members of Congress one
third; 10 repeal the resolution which increas-
ed the rate Of compensation of the officers and
clerks of the House and S"uate, and placing
them on salaries 20 per cent. less than at
present: repeal the law increasing the pay of
the army, bv which half million could be
saved. lie thought it important 10 connect
this matter with the resolution. declaring it
proper to make the Post Office Department
self-sustaning by increasing the rates Of
postage. abolishing the ranking privilege,
etc. This course, if followed out, would ma
terially relieve the necessities of the treasury
He intended to make this resolution tOst