Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-05
Government Expenditures.


tration-said expenses having been about one-hali
only of the present expenditures of the Admins
tration of Old Buck hmsclf-is certainly n very
curious document. One is no less impressed win
the insinccrity Of the complaint. when viewed IN
the light of modern circumstances, than with the
grave Injunction that such enormous expcndl-
lures should be "checkcd by the strong arm Of
the Democracy
When John Quincy Adams was President, It
was made subject of land complaint that his
Administration was spending the enormous
sum of twenty-five millions of dollars year
Old Gen. Jackson. the leader of the Democracy.
thought, rs Mr. Buchanan pro'esscd to do. that
such extravaganza ought to be checked by the
strong arm Of his party Old Hickory not only
thought so--but, when he got the power. he car
ried his thoughts into practical realization. lie
succeeded Mr. Adams, reduced the expenditures,
mid of the public debt, and left the Presidency
with handsome surplus in the Treasury. Behold
the difference between Old Buck aud Old Hickory
Instead Of following Hirkory's example he exact
ly reversed his policy. notwithstanding he made
precisely the same professions. Instead of rcduc
ing the expenses, he has doubled what he cons'd-
istrstion Of Mr. Fillmore. Instead OF paying of
the public debt. as Old Hickory did he has III
creased the public debt by two or three loans, aud
is still asking for more.
Now. il Mr. Filmore's Administration deserved
TO be turned out for expanding the enormous
sum of fly millions. As Old Buck proiessed hyPo
critically to believe what shall be done with the
Administration Of Old Buck himself that is
spending the round sum Of one hundred millI"nS'
Should that he continued in power, and pcrpetnn-
ted? Should ono of like kidney be substituted in
the place of the present Administration after 1t
goes out of power? We think not. On the con
trary we think the strong arm of the pcolde, not
of any party, should eject from lis ace "n Adj
ADMINISTRATION that is just doubling fillmore's OK
penditures, and quadrupling John Quincy Adams.
Without going at all into particulars, every |
body can that the presen, enormous "xpen-
dtures Of the Government are totally unnecessary, |
The talk OF the increase Of the population OF the
country requiring increased expenses Is tn" crest
nonsense The expenses have doubled since 1862 |
but has the population doubled? II so, we arc |
not aware Of it. The most extravayant statistrian
could not take tho census returns and figure out
an increase of thirty millions OF people in the last
six years Moreover the expenses ought not
rightly to keep pace, pdr passu, with the increase
Of population. The same general organization Of
Govern n,ent will answer Tor fifty millions OF PEG
pie az we'll rs for Ave.
Simply for illustration, let us take the War DE.
par,ment of the Government. The annual c, st Of
that Department is now greater than the mho'c
~ ,,,, a., g Nv
Monroe. How does II happen? Our army is
composed Of about seventeen thousand men, rauk
and file The expenses ii the War Department
are very nearly twenty millions Of dollars n ycnr.
The average cost to the Treasury is alou, twelve
hundred dollars per nnnnn 10 the man. But DO
the soldiers get that much. Not ut nll. The sol
dicrs get eight dollars month, clothing and ra
tons. Put the cost of each soldier at three hun
bred dollars year, which is liberal estimate
and multiply this into seventeen thousand. (thc
number of soldierso, and we have abuut five mil
lions of dollars. Add two millions for pay Of Off
GERS and munitions, and three millions for bar
racks, forts. and incidental expenses and the
whole amounts to ten milli,ns Il dollars. Now,
what becomes Of the other len millions? 1t is
sQuandered in every manner conceivable. Swind
ling contracts Of every description are gwen to
party fayorites--unnecessary men kept in employ
ment--dishonest of6cials steal the moncy-and it
is wasted away in thousand modes unknown to
the great body Of the people. The Navy Depart
ment, which costs very little LEES than the Army.
is almort as bad. Corruption rule. the hour in
every branch Of the public service from ton to
bottom Because We pay the taxes indirectly. aud
it thus comes easier to us, do not feel the lmpo
siton sensibly--and rulers, taking ndsan-
tage of the ignorance Of the people, proceed to
plumber them more md more every wear. They
consider the Government great goose. to lie
plucked ss long a feather remains anl, sooth
to say, the Government is great goose for rather
the people who make the GOVERNMENT for permit
ting this scandalous corruption aud Profigsey to
continue.
If it were Constitutional, We should advocate
the letting out the Administration of the Govern
ment by contract, to the lowest bidder. We know
. dozen merchants in Lynchburg. who would I'M
dertake to administer the Government lust ~ well
a. it is done now, on forty millions Of dollars a
year-and they would pocket money by the ope-
ration. We would undertake the job ourselves
for what MIR. Fllmores adm ration cost--Rfty
millions per annam-and we would have enough
LEFT at the end Of the year to present Lynchburg
with the cost Of building our North Carolina Rail-
road, the cost Of the proposed new Water Works.
the cost of the Improvement down Fifth Alley
and the bridge over Biackwater, and gratuity of
Eve barrels Of Flour and a ton Of coal 10 every
poor family in town. Mr.. Polk. in the midst Of
the Mexican war, administered the Government
upon aixty millions Of dollars. while Mr. Buch-
.n.p IN time ar orofnnnd neace ca,not ,..