Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-03-04

the treasury 1t is easy to talk of retrenchment but
retrenchment to be vauable-nay to avoid being inu-
rous must be the result of time and careful observation
Who supposes that in four days. four months even
committee any number of committees of Congress
can really do anything worth doing in this direction
The fact is that Congress itself is chiefly responsible for
the expenses of the government and for any abuses which
have arisen A big drain is made on the treasury for
the erection of a custom-house at New Orleans on a
scale beyond all use, precedent. Who engn-
eered that thing through Why of course the Louisi
ana delegation in Congress during Fillmores admins
tration A customhouse is built up at Dubuque Iowa
how is that done Why the appropriation is engineered
through by the Iowa delegation, who 60 home with
feather in their cap having got much for their
! State. Very expensive naval establishments are got
up at San Francisco how is that? Why by the
persevering efforts Of the California delegation
The fact is that with very few exceptions hardly dele
cation from any State territory in the Union goes to
Washington not specially charged with some bill to do
something, in plain terms spend much money among
their constituents. An Indian War is great thing for
the traders and spectators of wild western territory
1t Uncle Sans money to flow in copous streams,
and the delegate in Congress ready to say that 1t IS
all right Offices created, not by or at the request
of the Executive but by the manGuvring OF Congress
men, whose Uhunce fills the offices thus created with
their friends. See how sturdy abuses that benefit par
ticuar localities defended by the representatives of
such localities.
1t has been in this way that superuous expenditures
have grown up not by the intentional extravaganza
even to any great extent by the negligence of the
cessve Executives Neither all increases of expen-
dture, extravagances with which it is possible to dis
pense 1t would be perfect folly to pretend that the affairs
of the American COnedcracy Of 1859, with thirty three
States extending from to ocean, with territories
even larger in area than the States with commerce
vastly increased, with the expenses of living greatly
hanced could be administered for anything like the
amount of money that required for the purpose
| in former times.
| War; and the preparations for war, are much more
costly than they used to be, and the modern improve
mens that cheaper other things render these
pensve. Steam Navies cost vastly to build and
keep afoa than the old sailing ships. The improved
of the present day expensive than the old
carronades and match-ocks Of the last Railroads.
that cheaper transportation in the States cannot assist
the operations of the army in the remote Territories
where these operations carried on.
Docs any rational man suppose that in the few days
towards the close of the short session this question of
gone into That the enhancement of expenses necessa
ly arising out of the Development and changed circum
stances of the country be separated from those hav
ing their origin in the efforts of members of both houses
to draw from the funds of overlooking treasury
thing to be spent among their constituency that this
latter class of expenditures, put down extraordinary
could at be stopped without serious loss Many
things have far progressed that it is cheaper to go
through with them than to return Above all, docs any
suppose that those things out of which congressman
gain patronage, Or make popularity among their mme-
date constituents will be fairly treated? Everybody
will 60 for cutting off somebody eses pet nauity Or ex-
# pcnse but for defending his that of his constitu-
cnts These things have kept growing up for long long
years-can they be discovered and rooted out in day
two of panic? TO be sure the Senate has killed the
little appropriation for poor little mint at Charlotte
and perhaps the House will do the same thing but big
C things will occasion big combinations and prove invul-
k nerable
d 1t would be the very extreme of absurdity to
attempt to lay all the blame of these things upon any
O particular party. A slight consideration of the mo-
tves that operate upon the human mind will show how
little party could have do with it. although it must
be evident that the party which goes for strict con-
stluction of the constitutions would be most apt to re-
Ss lax expenditures for doubtful Objects as has indeed
been the The representatives of sections asking
for high duties for the purpose Of protection, have al
It ways been found most anxious to increase expenses
order to create necessity for the imposition Of these
high rates from the operation of which they seek that
10 protection so much dcsidcracd
% The tariff of 1857 the offspring of panic from
n repetionif any hasty scheme either of rercnchment
or of revenue is got up now it will the result of pan
ic from depletion, and will be equally unfortunate
There is time for experiments. The only thing
that be done is to return to the carefully elaborated
system inaugurated in 1916 under the auspices of the
then representative from the Cape Fear District O
q North Carolina, General Mckay. This. with the priv
ege of rc-issiug Treasury notes, may and certainly
- will obviate the necessity for an extra session VIZ
question if anything else The fear Of this necessi
ty is growing The Oppositionists of all shades will dc
their best to render this necessity absolute by defeating
every measure calculated to obviate it.
er Daily Journal, 18th M.
&c The WIImlng to", Charlotte Ruhc rfo,d II. II.
nc Company.
1t is known that the Legislature OF North Caroline
at its last session passed amendment to the charter
this Company, apparently insignificant but really i'm
~ portant The original charter provides for the endorse
he ment by the State of the bonds of the Company to th
amount OF $4,000 per mic such endorsement to be cae
for by sections the first 70 miles of the road to be con
Oh sructed and in operation before the States endorsement
les could be available to that amount and so on with tn
several sections until the road shall have been completed
rs The amendment of the last Legislature provides tina
VS. instead of the State endorsing the bonds of the Com
~ nonv IN thr amount of SS 0O0 FIR pocb milo Oh, che