Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-27
ExTEAVAGANCEO OF THE GRANT
ADMINISTRATION

We make the following extract from
the speech of Mr.. Davis, of Massachu-
sets, delivered in the House of Represen-
tative January is, 1870:
may be pardOned, as a friend Of this
Secretary and of this administration, in
what l may feel compelled to say in
reference to either his estimates or the cs-
Inmates of the whole administration, when
| saw that the estimates of this Secretary
in reference TO these expenditures do not
inspire me with entire confidence. l know
he speaks of economy and the saving OF
money, but, sir, the great point upon
which l find that he has expended his
energies is upon the promise he holds
out 10 the House that he will save So, 000,-
600 upon the article of coal alone, the
whole estimate for which for the last two
years was less than $3.50, 900 a year, Sir,
that is an achievement of mathematics
that finds its parallel only in the attempt
to save $5,OOO,OOO by abolishing the
franking privilege, when all the paper
bought by this government and thirty let
tiers a day to every member sent through
the mails at regular postage would pay
less than five hundred thousand dollars. !
hope to see the franking privilege abolish
ed. but on no such absurd pretenCe as that
il will save 100000 l really think
that if the mathematicians who put these
figures in the heads of these two Secreta-
ries could be brought to light and set to
work, the public debt would be paid before
the expiration of this administration
Laughter. These are mint annis
and cumin, but the "weightier matter
is the contrast in the foOtings Of this Sec
retarv-S2S, Al, 76l 81, estimated for this
vcu, against So, $50, 666 appropriated
last year Now, sir, this is public work;
It is new public work. There is no ne
cessitv, no pressing necessity of common
cling it to-day Does this load of estimates
Justify us in supporting this proposition
WHY. sir. this book of estimates contains
estimates for appropriations for public
works of $24, G25, l73. s., against appro-
nriatiOns for the same objects last year of
S5.Iq3, O0Ol Sir, the administration of
Andrew johnson surrendered TO the ale
CATION that it had been profigate in ex-
pcnditures. The people tried it upon that
charge and found it guilty, and took from
it the sceptre of power, and put it in our
hands upon our professions of economy
in the administration of the public service.
And the people intend to hold US to our
profession and promise. What is the
first evidence that we have put forth to
the country of our disposition to carry out
our pledgcs2 l hold in my hand the book
Of estimates for the first year of this ad-
ministra,ion. And while I know the ungra-
cious position occupy, proposetospeak
plainly, but to speak truly, to my party
friends on this side of the House. | know
that while ''faithful are the wounds of
friend" there is not much ease remaining
10 the friend that infliCts them. Now, sir,
what did Andrew johnson, in the last year
of his administration, estimate that he
would carry on this government fort He
estimated that he would carry on for $685.
600. 600, and we cut down the appropria-
lions $50, 600, 600 below his estimate. But
his own estimate of the cost of carrying
on the government, which the people at
the polls declared to be profiigate and I'M
reasonable, was $3O3, 900, 600 Now, sir,
what does our own administration estimate
that it will carry on the government for
for the next year} The sum estimated for
Is 1891, 097, l7462; an increase over the