Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-22
ExTRAvACANGE0 OF THE ADMIN
ISTRATEON

n ' Az AIMEE OE AEbhbN@
ISTRATEON.
Mr. Dawes, of Massachusetts, made a
speech in the House of Representatives
on Tuesday last, which seems to have
very considerably disturbed the equanim-
iiy of many of his Radical friends. 1t
seems that notwithstanding allof the loud
professions of economy under the peace
administration of Gen. Grant, and the
much vaunted monthly reductions of the
public debt, there is demand for an in
crease in the appropriations The main
facts, says the Cincinnati EaQaircI, thus
commented upon by the Republican gen
tleman from Massachusetts,, who has
turned States evidence against his party.
were these:
l. The Andrew johnson Administra-
ton was turned out of power for the ex-
travagance of its expenditures, and that
of Grant placed in its stead, on its profess
sions of economy in the public service.
.. The Andrew johnson Administra-
ton had estimated in the last year of its
term that 5000, 900, 600 was enough to
carry on the Government This was cut
down by Congress some twenty millions.
9. Grants Administration asked for
1881, 900, 900 for the coming year, which
was $28, 900, 900 more than President
johnson desired, and nearly $50, 900, 900
more than the amount actually appropri-
| ated. But there was a trifing error of
| 81, 900, 900 in the footing up of the accu-
rate Postoffice Department which would
reduce theamo to $43, 900, 900. Among
the little improvements which have been
| started by this economical Administration
is a postoff1ce building in New York, the
architect of which thinks will cost 81,
900, 900!
The Chicago Times says the irony of
Mr.. Dawes, when speaking of the saving
proposed by Secretary Robson in the
consumption of coal, must disturb that
Jolly ''old sea dog" To make saving
of $4,000, 900 in the consumption of that
which has heretofore cost only $3.50, 900
'is an achievement in mathematics which
finds parallel only in the achievement of
the Postmaster General, who proposes 10
save S., 900, 900 a year by the abolition of
the franking privilege, while the franked
matter would not produce. 5000, 0OO."
1t is true, as Mr. Dawes stated, that the
administration of Andrew johnson was
accused of profligacy in expenditures,
and that the promises of economy and
retrenchment made by Grant and the Re-
publican party were potent agencies in
securing their triumph, but Mr.. Dawes
neglected to say that the prOfigacy in ex-
penditures' with which johnson stood
charged, was the work of Congress. He
could not spend dollar which was not
appropriated He could justly be held
responsible for the estimates of eXpendi-
lures submitted by heads of departments,
and which were cut down by Congress
and like responsibility attaches to Grant.
Whatever may be the action of Congress
in making the yearly appropria-
tons, the facts will remain that Grant
and his Cabinet have asked for 1891, 900,
600 for the next fiscal year.
Mr.. Dawes did not present the worst
features of the case against the administra-
ton. The estimates, when compared with
the expeditures of the last year of PreSi-
dent JOinson's administration, appear,
and are, the more extravagant from the
fact that Secretary McCulloch had extra
ordinary payments to make which Mr..
| Boutwell, has not been, and will not be,
called on to meet. These extraordinary
payments-for bounties, the purchase of
Alaska, and other purposes-amounted to
more than $25, 900, OO0 Deduct this
amount from the 1888, 900, 600 voted by
| Congress in the last year of President
Johnson's term, and it will be seen that
Grant and his Cabinet ask for y, 600, 900
more than the expenditures of that year.