Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-03-05
Federal Co.r,.H.,.. and ro,.-oses.

Federal CO1rt.House and Post.O0ce.
We observed, few days since, in one Of the
Washington City papers, that Mr. Branch bad suc-
eeeded in getting IN amendment to the Post-ofnce
appropriation bill BY which "the sums heretofore
appropriated for the erection Of Postoce building
and which shall remain in the Treasury unexpeoded
.: the close Of the present fiscal year, are hereby
reappropriatedt to the objects to which they now
applicable by law" This was necessary to prevent
the appropriation for such buildings, including the
one to be erected in Raleigh from going into the sur
plus fund; and without this amendment, thus OBJ
tanned by Mr. Branch the probability is that the .p
preparation for the building referred to would have
been lost No steps have been taken BY the Secrc-
tary of the Treasury towards the erection Of the
building account Of the condition Of the treasury
and all that was asked was to continue the appropra
ton and let the Secretary postpone the work until
such time rs he would have the means without em.
barrassing the treasury to bcgint This certain
Iva ACKNOWLEDGMENT But I've see in alate numbered
the Globe which contains the proceedings in full upon
the subject that this very reasonable request was
strenuously opposed by various members, and by
none more strenuously than by John Letcher, Of
Virginia. Mr. Branch maintained his ground with
spirit and ability, and gave "honest john some
telling hits, reminding him that Virginia had six
buildings of this sort and insisting that il the gen.
tleman wanted to 80 back and repeal laws providing
for the erection Of buildings in North Carolina, he
should also with his crab.like policy. vote for the
sale of the buildings already erected in his own
State At length, however, the vote was taken, and
Mr.. Branch's amendment was adopted by q vote Of
"a to 29. We are surprised at John Letcher. Other
appropriations were before him-unncccssary ap-
preparations for hundreds of thousands Of dollars,
on which he might have exhibited his devotion to
simplicity and economy in government without sing.
ling out few thousands proposed to be expended
in North Carolina. We venture the assertion that,
since the foundation Of the government, Virginia
has received in the way appropriations and patron.
age fifty dollars where North-C Carolina has received
one: That State has now several foreign Ministers,
any number Of Consus and Commercial Agents, q
large proportion of the Bureau officers at Washing
ton City, and more than her full share Of officers in
the army and navy; while North Carolina has nc
foreign Minister, only one or two Consuls and herr
and there q Clerkship at Washington Millions o.
dollars are expended on the works ut Old Point, u
Norfolk, and at Portsmouth; and yet no North
Caronian has raised his voice against these cx
pendtures, endeavored Mr.. Letchcr has done IL
relation to this State to send unexpended appro
priaton for Virginia to the surplus fund We an
Democrats over here in North Carolina, not fo
spos, not for patronage, not for Office, for &c
but little of either; but we are Democrats bccaus
Democracy is right 1t does not pay in this Stat
as it does in Virginia and Pennsylvania, but still vi
have no idea Of giving it up. We are Democrat
from principle, and not for patronage or office.