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SENATE.]

Appropriation Bill.

[APRIL 20, 1832.

the Committee of the Whole in striking out the appro-reform were inscribed on the roll of Executive duties in priation for the outfit of a minister to France. characters too legible to be misunderstood."

Mr. CHAMBERS said he regretted that the Senate had The true issue, then, is not whether this administration adjourned yesterday at the moment he had risen. His apo- is more extravagant than the last. If it be as much so, this logy for saying a word on this subject was found in the text book will denounce it as unfit to possess the confidence example of the chairman of the Committee on Finance. of the people. It would be no difficult proposition, he That Senator had deplored, in very strong terms, the believed, in a proper place, to establish the fact that it continuance of a debate which must delay the passage of had expended larger sums than the former administration, this bill, so necessary to meet the most pressing wants of to effect precisely similar objects; but he denied the authe Government. We had all yielded to his pointed re-thority of the adversary party to make this the question. monstrance, and the bill was going on without a word of If they will frankly and fully concede that all their boasted debate, when, on calling it up yesterday, the chairman, pledges of "reform and retrenchment" have been violat without the slightest provocation, rose in his place, and ed-that, after effecting the purpose for which they were in great excitement delivered a long and animated argument to prove the extravagance of the last administration and the economy of this.

[Mr. SMITH here remarked that he did not attempt to show extravagance in the late administration. He had no such object.]

engendered, the expulsion from office of their political adversaries, they are forgotten, or admitted to be hollow, empty, unmeaning sound, without substance--why, then, we are prepared to meet any other issue that may be tendered. Sir, if this concession is not made, it is due to an abused community, it is due to those who, with honest Be it so, said Mr. C. Let the Senator be considered as expectation of a fair and full execution of these pledges, having no such object as to criminate the last administra- have raised to power those who made them, to prove, as tion, and solely to design the vindication of the present your State papers and records will prove, that every proadministration from the charges preferred against it. Henise and profession then made is not only broken but forhas interrupted the regular progress of this highly import- gotten, and that now resort is had to the lame and impoant bill to present this labored vindication.

tent plea that they who made them are not worse than [Mr. SMITH here said he had not labored.] those whom they denounced. To the book, then. The Then, said Mr. C., it must be conceded that the Senator first item to be noticed is the number of clerks and officers has arrived at results, and exhibited estimates and calcu-in the Executive offices. The book--the creed, delations, without labor; which certainly no other member nounces these Executive Departments as receptacles for can produce without an examination, and with labor, too, idlers and superannuated old men--"one third" more in amongst the documents and State papers. But whether number than the business of the Government required, and for one object or another--whether with labor or with some of them "invalid pensioners," absolutely enjoying out-his colleague, disregarding, in his own practice, the "sinecures," this whole Augean stable was to be cleansed strong admonition by which he had proposed to regulate and purified. Well, sir, how has the practice of this adthat of others, had challenged this debate. It was not ministration conformed to this profession? Are the clerks proper to allow such a discussion to end where it was. lessened in number? No sir, not only not diminished, but Mr. C. said that he could not consent to permit an argu-actually increased. Are their salaries lessened? No, sir, ment which he deemed so fallacious, to go out to the not a dollar; on the contrary, some of them are increased public without commentary. Sir, said Mr. C., the issue by this bill now under discussion.

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Some of the old and

29 Yes, sir, your

tendered is not the true one. Let the people know how faithful servants who had passed their lives in these offices, this matter stands, and they will be at no loss to find a right whose advancing age and fixed habits had unfitted them verdict, and give a correct judgment. What is the true for other employments, have been removed, it is true. state of the case? The last administration, pursuing with Yes, sir, many have been thrown upon the world pennyhonest purpose, and by accustomed means, the best inte- less as they were blameless, with a heartless disregard of rests of this great and growing nation, were cultivating their misery and havoc inflicted upon themselves, their all the sources of national prosperity, and faithfully exe- fortunes, their helpless, dependent families, or even their cuting the legislative will, by a prudent application of well earned reputation. But why? was it to promote real the resources of the country, which the representatives reform, or to advance the public good? No, it was to let of the people chose to place at their disposal. The pub. in a host of hungry expectants to devour with greedy aplic debt was in a course of rapid extinguishment, the de- pet.te their share of the people's substance-openly, pubfences of the country were extended, the facilities of licly announced as the "spoils of victory.' intercommunication promoted, the great branches of public offices, created for the good of the people, and the public prosperity nurtured, and all our relations at home only purpose of which should be to effect that good, and and abroad presenting occasion for grateful reflection. advance the general welfare, are boldly elsewhere as here This was the condition of things, when the last adminis on this floor denominated "spoils" to be "shared" by tration found itself assailed by that political party which victors." Was capacity, was fidelity, was patriotism, rose up to prostrate it, and finally succeeded in ejecting or useful service to the nation, made the criterion of merit, in selecting them? Not at all. Instead of capacity to dis Here, sir, said Mr. C., [holding up the book containing charge the duties of office, the candidate urged capacity the retrenchment report,] here is the text from which that to obtain votes; instead of fidelity in the performance of party drew its doctrines: this is the confession of faith official trust, he boasted active zeal in propagating his which that party subscribed; which they proclaimed in political tenets; in place of patriotic devotion to the counsix thousand copies of this report from the House of Re- try, or useful service to the nation, he claimed devotion presentatives, and three thousand from the Senate; which and efficient service to his party, a noisy, indiscrimmate they published in every city, town, village, and cross- admir. tion of the "Hero of New Orleans," and unsparing, road, in the Union, and reverberated by every partisan in reckless condemnation of every man and every measure the country. Now, sir, this confession of faith must be that opposed his pretensions. These, and often these the criterion by which this party is to be tried. The pre- alone, were the successful grounds of claim to promotion; sent President was unanimously elected as the organ who and the degree of elevation, the "share of the spoils, was to execute all their projects. He was not slow to was proportionate to the zeal and fury which the partisan assume the responsibility imposed upon him. In his open- had evinced in the glorification of his .dol. Many of those ing message, he made himself sponsor for the whole party "victors" were so utterly destitute of other qualifications and its creed, when he declared that "retrenchment and essentially necessary, that their own political friends, yield

it from office.

APRIL 20, 1832.]

Appropriation Bill.

[SENATE.

ing to the strong and just popular opinion, were obliged was held forth and paraded even in the shape of an "inpromptly to put them aside; and in some cases the President himself has been compelled to turn them adrift before they had fairly tasted the fruits which they fondly anticipated as their promised "reward."

scription on the Executive roll." This Executive banner waived high, and caught the fancy and the hopes of thousands by its alluring motto, "retrenchment and reform." Crowds gathered to the standard, and overwhelmed all The book-the articles of faith-charge against the late resistance to the march of those who had unfurled it. administration a wasteful expenditure in the diplomatic Having effected its purpose in gaining the victory, what department. Their pledge bound them to a retrench- are its "rewards" to the "country"-to the "whole peoment. How have they redeemed it? Why, sir, by re- ple?" Favorites and partisans are "rewarded;" but what calling instantly every minister then abroad, and sending does the "nation" gain? Why, sir, they are mocked others of their own political tenets, at an immense ex- and evaded when they demand a fulfilment of engagepense of money, and in some cases at the sacrifice of other ments made by this party text, and reassumed by the Exhigh considerations. Was this because the public inte- ecutive message. They are now told, "it is not the fault rest was thereby promoted? Was it because our ministers of the Executive, but of Congress, that so large expendiwere not qualified? Was it because they had evinced a tures are disbursed; the President must execute the law, want of competent talent, or of patriotic zeal, in discharg- and the law directs the expenditure." The peopleing their duty? Not at all. These "spoils" were to be the deluded people, will ask if the Congress did not direct distributed; and with such eager haste did the "victors" the expenditures in Mr. Adams's administration--if he was claim their "reward," that, in the case of the Colombian not bound to execute the law; and yet it did not prevent Government, General Harrison, whose name and reputa- the eternal cry of "reform and retrenchment." They tion is fondly cherished by the nation, was recalled before may, and probably will, also ask if this said wicked and exhe had actually reached his destination, and an active parti- travagant Congress had not been brought into being by san appointed his successor, who is now continued a full the same party which elevated the Chief Magistrate; wheminister, when the confederate Government to which he ther, from that time to this, his political friends have not was accredited is dissolved, and no Government exists formed a majority in both branches of Congress. Driven bearing even its name. The chairman of the Finance by these unwelcome reminiscences, the administration reCommittee says that "the services have been commen- sorts to this humiliating apology: "Why, we are not surate to the expenditures in this administration." Sir, more extravagant than our predecessors!" Sir, this plea this is not in the book. The last administration said the cannot be sustained, whether issue be taken upon the law expenditures were honestly and usefully applied, but it or the fact. It does not lie in the mouth of those who did not arrest the cry of "retrenchment and reform." heaped unmeasured censure upon the last administration But let one instance illustrate the sort of services which for waste and extravagance now to erect it into a fair this administration considers commensurate to large ex- standard by which their own expenditures are to be grapenditures. A competent, faithful minister to Russia was duated. But if they could be permitted to shelter themrecalled. A distinguished successor taken from Virginia, selves under such a defence, the facts will not sustain them. was appointed. Besides his nine thousand dollars outfit, The table exhibited by the Senator from South Carolina, and nine thousand salary, an immense expense was in- [Mr. HAYNE,] prepared, as he tells us, with great care curred in sending him out, and returning his predecessor. and accuracy, gives the following sums as the total exThe commensurate services" were about ten days' resi- penditures, exclusive of payments on account of the pubdence in Russia, and the remaining three hundred and lic debt: fifty-five were passed in another kingdom, at the distance of some thousand miles from the scene of duty.

For 1825

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30
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$11,490,459 94

13,062,316 27

12,653,095 65

13,296,041 45

12,660,490 62

13,229,533 33

13,918,708 99

The book asserts the necessity of "abolishing the contingent fund for missions." It was supposed to be the fruitful source of mischief-controlled solely by the discretion of the Secretary, and altogether unnecessary. Well, sir, how stands the fact in regard to this item? Has it been discontinued? Not at all. This bill appropriates thirty thousand dollars for this fund. Not only is it con- Now, sir, let it be remembered that, in addition to these tinued under this "economical" administration, but an increased and increasing expenditures, there should be a accumulated sum of about one hundred thousand dollars large allowance for sums which had been refused for that allowed to the late administration, and not expended by most important matter of internal improvement. A systhem, has been disbursed, in addition to appropriations tem was regularly and happily progressing under the last made since they came into power. His colleague had administration, vitally affecting the whole value of the used harsh language in reference to the mode of compari- country, calling into useful exercise its faculties for rapid, son adopted by the Senator from Connecticut, [Mr. Foor.] intimate, and profitable intercommunication, cementing It was not his intention to apply towards his colleague its various and distant portions, binding our whole peoany offensive expression; but, after his very warm lan-ple in ties of vicinity and consanguinity; a system, to proguage on this subject, it was passing strange that he should mote which is, in my humble judgment, one of the most refer to "appropriations" for "contingent expenses of imperative as well as one of the most desirable and useforeign intercourse," and yet omit the weightier matter of ful objects for which this Government was organized. "disbursements;" omit to say one word about the accumu- How has it fared with this "reforming, retrenchment" lation which the Senator from Kentucky has proved by administration. Reformed into a state of non-existencethe public documents. His colleague had also referred lost sight of-abandoned--vetoed. Yes, sir, at one sweep, to sundry items of "extraordinary expenditures" in our a lighthouse bill, involving an expenditure of half a mildiplomatic concerns during the present administration; lion of dollars, the disbursement of which would have and yet, boasting as he does of a perfect spirit of fairness, left traces of useful improvement scattered through all he has not pointed out one in the last administration. parts of the Union for generations to come, was rejected. Certainly it was for some other reason than that the docu- Your turnpike road bill, your canal bills, rejected. And ments did not show it. Sir, said Mr. C., it is like all other yet your total expenditures are increased. Are the sums of the large professions of the party who put out this thus refused to useful objects made to swell the amount of "book." Indeed, the course of debate here is a con- "spoils" and "rewards" distributed to favorites? fession of the total failure to realize the pledge which Sir, it is to be feared this "inscription on the Execu

SENATE.]

Appropriation Bill.

[APRIL 20, 1832.

tive roll" has ceased to be "legible," or possibly it may to Great Britain, that the vacancy in that office depended have been deposited in some of the retired departments on no casualty or unforeseen contingency, demanding or of an Executive office by one of those who came in as a justifying a draft on the contingent fund provided by this component part of the "unit cabinet," and that his bill. However objectionable, therefore, the exercise of successor has not yet found the place of its repose. If so, the President's power of appointment may really be, let us still hope that, late as it is, we shall again hear of it. should that power be exercised in appointing a minister Many considerations and numerous facts invite further to Great Britain during the recess of the Senate, and in discussion; but, in despite of the challenge of the chair- contempt of its advice, the case of the new outfit to France man of finance, Mr. C. said he was unwilling to consume rested on different principles, and he requested the atmore time. He would, however, add one word in regard tention of the members of the Senate to the distinction. to one of the cases by which the Senator from Georgia We have no official information, said Mr. C., that the [Mr. FORSYTH] had illustrated the desire of the Executive present minister to France has been recalled. Nay, we to retrench, and the practice of Congress to defeat that have no information even to show us that a vacancy will desire. The other case had been fully disposed of by his happen, either during the session, or in the recess of this friend from Massachusetts, [Mr. WEBSTER,] who was in-body. If the chairman of the Committee on Finance, terrupted before he had explained the navy contract for who reported this bill, has any such information, it should timber. In this case, it was true that Congress had pass- be laid before us, that we may see how far the letter or ed a remedial law, and in terms, and in a manner, to imply the spirit of the constitution will justify a specific approdissatisfaction at the course of the auditor. What was priation, to enable the President to send a new minister the case? A contract was made by the navy commission- to Paris, without consulting his constitutional advisers. ers for delivering timber at a certain period, and reserv- The gentleman from Georgia adverted to information on ing, according to universal usage, ten per cent., to be for- this subject, which reached us through no official chanfeited if the contract were not executed according to its nel, that the climate of Paris did not agree with Mr. Rives, letter. The contract was faithfully executed in all re- and that he might request to be recalled. But-spects except as to time. To the extension of time, the commissioners made no objection. The service was not injured, nor was any one injured. The navy commissioners, who made the contract, desired to pay the contractor the price of his materials, or appeal to the Secretaries of the Navy and of the Treasury. Both were of opinion it should be paid; but the Fourth Auditor objected, and the President agreed with the auditor that the law enforced the penalty, because a short time had expired, more than the contract allowed.

Mr. FORSYTH said there was an official letter in the possession of the Committee on Finance.

Mr. SMITH said he had a letter from the Secretary of State on this subject, which, he thought, had been laid before the Senate.

Mr. CLAYTON replied that it was the first time he had heard of it, and desired it might be read. It was read accordingly, and was as follows: "SAMUEL SMITH, Esq.,

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"Chairman Committee on Finance, Senate.
"DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

"Washington, 24th Feb. 1832.

and salary of a chargé d'affaires to Naples has been
By some inadvertence, the estimate for the outfit
omitted.

"I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
"EDWARD LIVINGSTON."

The contractor brought his case here, and (without a dissentient voice, he believed) his whole price was ordered to be paid. Now, sir, is this the magnanimous exhibition of liberality which becomes a great Government? "SIR: I have just received the President's direction to Is this administration so hard run, that, while it is continu- inform you, that, as circumstances may require the aping this very Fourth Auditor's office, and its accompany-pointment of a minister to England, and as Mr. Rives, our ing appendages, which the book told us was created for minister in France, has made a request of leave to return, a temporary purpose arising out of the last war, and ought which the reasons he has urged may, at a future period, to be abolished; while it is paying eighteen thousand dol-induce the President to grant, an appropriation for outlars salary for ten days' services of a minister; while it is fits, in both cases, may become necessary before the next multiplying clerks, and increasing their salaries, that it is session of Congress, in order to meet those contingencies, compelled to go, for proof of economy, to the petty ten should they occur. per cent. on a little contract--compelled to enforce the letter of the law, even if it be the letter, to exact the "pound of flesh" against an honest contractor, whose materials they have received, and now have, and intend, to use? It is an illustration, not exactly to the purpose intended by the Senator from Georgia, but to show the course of this administration; and proves, to use the lan- Mr. CLAYTON requested the attention of the Senate guage of the Senator from Missouri, that, "while they to the terms of this letter. It is evident, said he, from are saving at the spigot, they are wasting at the bunghole." the official document, that the specific appropriation for Mr. CLAYTON, of Delaware, said, the clause in the bill this outfit is asked for, not on the statement of any certain under consideration provided thirty-six thousand dollars fact, from which the department knows that a vacancy for outfits of ministers to Great Britain, France, and Rus- will or must occur in the recess, but on the bare supposisia, and made no distinction between the missions to those tion that it may happen. The letter merely contemseveral courts, although, in point of fact, they all stood plates a contingency, or casualty, upon the occurrence of on different grounds. The outfit for a minister to Russia which the appointment of a new minister may be made. was evidently necessary. A vacancy in the office did exist This bill now contains one appropriation of thirty thouat the commencement of the session, however difficult it sand dollars, to defray "the contingent expenses of all may be to say when it commenced; for the minister to that the missions abroad;" and one other appropriation of Government, although he received his twenty-two thou- thirty thousand dollars, to defray the contingent ex. sand five hundred dollars, for ten days' residence in Rus-penses of foreign intercourse"-thus giving, already, sixty sia, as the Senator from Maryland had stated, was held to thousand dollars to pay the expenses arising from conbe a minister near that Government, during his residence tingencies in the management of our foreign relations. in England. In regard to that, however, it was sufficient, Out of this fund, the outfits of ministers, appointed in the for the present purpose, to know officially, as the Senate recess, agreeably to the constitution, have been always did, that the vacancy had happened, and had been filled defrayed. The only cases in which the President is auby their advice and consent. They knew, too, by official thorized to appoint ministers, without first asking the addocuments, and by their own act in rejecting the minister vice and consent of the Senate, are clearly pointed out in

APRIL 20, 1832.]

Appropriation Bill.

[SENATE.

the constitution: "The President shall have power to tute of foundation, that arrangement having been made in fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of direct violation of our law, yet we may easily conceive, from the Senate, by granting commissions, which shall expire what has been said on that subject, that should an appointat the end of their next session." The present minister ment to France, equally objectionable, be made in the next to Great Britain was appointed by this authority only, and recess, we should be held committed to all its consequenhis commission will continue till the end of this session, ces by this very appropriation. It is time for this body unless he be recalled, although he was rejected by the to look with extreme circumspection to every act it may Senate three months ago. His appointment for such a pass, which can by possibility be construed into a sanction length of time, without the consent of the Senate to of any abuse of Executive power. By encouraging in this supply the vacancy occasioned by the return of his pre- manner the appointment of ministers in the recess, we decessor, can be justified on no other ground than this, may make ourselves parties to that very provision of the that the return of that predecessor was during the last ses- constitution in this respect, which has been the subject of sion of the Senate, unforeseen, and was strictly a casualty, just complaint for the last three years. The exercise, or contingency, happening while the Senate was not in nay, the very abuse of this power, is always held an argusession, and under circumstances requiring a temporary ment in its favor. In the discussion on the nomination of appointment, lest the public interest might suffer before the minister to Great Britain, we were told of the loss of the consent of the President's constitutional advisers could money and the dishonor to our foreign relations which be asked. But can it now be contended here that the would attend his recall; and the strongest argument in faPresident has the right to create a vacancy in a public of vor of his confirmation was the fact that he had already fice during the recess, merely to fill that vacancy with been appointed without our consent, and had actually left any one whom he may select, before the commencement the country. I will not step a foot further in these matof the session of this body? Is it pretended by any one ters until I know where you would lead me. I have no here, that when we have gone home, he can, without the confidence of the future from the past, to justify me in occurrence of any contingency causing a vacancy, make a lending my vote to aid in the appointment of officers withvacancy in an office, with no other object than to fill it till out the constitutional prerequisite of the advice of the Sethe end of the next session? Where now are all those nate of the country. This appropriation will take away who so strenuously resisted every pretence of the existence from those who vote for it the untrammelled right of judgof such a power in the hands of the last administration? ing at the next session of the existence of that stern necesIf they are disposed to ground the arms which they then sity, without which no President can ever constitutionally flourished in defence of the constitution, and in defiance fill this appointment in the absence of the Senate. of the Executive, may we not be indulged with a hearing The argument urged here on a former occasion by the of the reasons for their sudden defection from the cause gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. FonsYTH,] to sustain this they then so warmly espoused? I rest my opposition to measure, that the contingent fund is not answerable for this specific appropriation at this time, distinctly upon the this outfit, is neither sustained by the past usage of the ground that the return of Mr. Rives is not certain, but de- Government, nor by the known sentiments and acts of those pendent only on a contingency-that, in this aspect of that who now administer its laws. The fund has been drawn case, no specific appropriation ought to be made, as the upon again and again, not only to meet contingencies, but outfit ought to be paid out of the contingent fund, which even to meet vacancies created by the President and filled no one pretends is insufficient for this and all other lawful in the recess. In the session of 1830, I objected, in debate purposes--that, by making the appropriation specific, we here, not only to the abuse of the power of appointment admit the necessity of it now, before we know that it will in these very cases, but to the existence of any right in the ever be demanded, and we thereby admit the right of the President to put his hand into this part of the strong box President to recall the minister. We shut our own mouths, to pay outfits of ministers appointed by him to fill vacanand forestall the salutary action of this body, should he cies created for party purposes. In the year 1829, our improperly make this vacancy to fill it in the recess, in con- whole diplomatic corps was recalled immediately after the tempt of this body. If the vacancy be now seen to be ne- Senate adjourned; and although no appropriation such as cessary, let the fact be announced; let the nomination of this had at that time been made by Congress for new outMr. Rives's successor be made at this session, that we may fits, yet the contingent fund for missions abroad was exjudge of its propriety; and, having done that, we will vote hausted in paying them, and more than forty thousand the appropriation without a murmur. But if the vacancy dollars were expended, for which no appropriation, either be, as it now appears, entirely contingent, or even if it be specific or contingent, had been made. I thought this a an event certain to occur in the recess, and we should be violation of that clause in the constitution which directs informed that no nomination is to be made to the Senate that no money shall be drawn from the treasury but by this session, when you ask me for the money, I tell you to law. I think so still. The contingent fund for foreign go to the contingent fund, which has on former occasions missions was, in my judgment, not intended to meet such been resorted to to meet the event. If, at the next ses- expenses, because they were not incurred by any necession, the Executive shall nominate a minister to the Se-sity, contingency, or casualty, happening either in session nate, appointed in the recess ex necessitate to meet such a or out of session. They were incurred to pay outfits and contingency as the constitution contemplates, and accord-salaries of ministers appointed to supply vacancies created ing to the settled construction of the words "happening by the will of the President, and without cause. This arduring the recess," we shall of course confirm the nomi- gument was then met by the distinguished gentleman who nation. But we shall then stand untrammelled by any ad- now fills the office of Secretary of State, and who was at mission, on our part, that such a contingency has happened, that time an able advocate of the administration, represhould we think the constitution violated, either in its spirit senting, in part, the State of Louisiana on this floor. He or its letter. We shall not then be met by the objection, defended the right of the President to draw on the continthat we have acknowledged both the expediency and the gent fund in any case of appointment to fill a vacancy, necessity of the appointment, by expressly appropriating whether happening in the recess or created in the recess. an outfit for it. We have, sir, been taught a useful lesson He avowed that the money overdrawn after exhausting on this subject already. We have been met by pretences that fund, was well borrowed from another fund, and that that our previous legislation in 1830 sanctioned the mode the Executive could do this without specific appropriation of arranging the colonial trade, for which, among other causes, we have rejected the present minister to Great Britain. And, although these pretences are utterly desti

and without law. I have his argument on that occasion ready for the inspection of all who think the Government scrupulous about the right to draw on this contingent fund

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for the outfit of a new minister to France; and as the ad ministration of these funds by the gentleman who now pre sides over our foreign affairs, is the subject of considera tion, I claim it as an authority of no ordinary character to settle this controversy.

[APRIL 20, 1832.

who told us how necessary it was to reform the abuses of his predecessors.

Mr. Adams came in on the 4th of March, 1825, and the expenses of his two first years, by this same statement, are actually two million six hundred and forty-seven thou. sand dollars less than those of 1829, '30, the two first years of the party now in power! Those of 1831 are not given with accuracy yet, but it is admitted, on all hands, that they are at least six hundred thousand dollars beyond the expenses of any year before 1829.

The gentleman from Maryland [Mr. CHAMBERS] has met the argument of his colleague on the subject of expenditures by the Government, by a remark to which the attention of the people of this country at this time ought to be particularly directed. Before I advert to it, however, let me premise that the chairman of the Committee I come now to the remark of the gentleman before me, on Finance, [Mr. SMITH,] in the discussion yesterday,[Mr. CHAMBERS.] Your administration has cut up the compared the expenses of this administration with those system of internal improvement by the roots! Your Preof the last, and sought to show us that if those same sident, in 1830, put his veto on a bill, stopping appropriapledges of retrenchment and reform which were given on tions to the amount of half a million, for the benefit of the the 4th of March, 1829, in the eastern portico of this capi- country; and on the Rockville road bill, the Maysville tol, had not been all redeemed, yet the expenses of the road bill, the Louisville and Portland canal bill: thus Government were not more than they had been before checking all other measures of internal improvement in that memorable day. The deeds and the very expendi- every section of the Union where they were demanded. tures of the last administration, reviled and persecuted as Not so with the last administration. They turned their it was, are now made the standard of excellence; and the faces against no measure having for its object the national only boast of those who then told us that the task of re- welfare, and the improvement of the country. They form was inscribed on the list of Executive duties in cha-were, therefore, denounced as prodigal spendthrifts of the racters too legible to be misunderstood, now is, that they public money; and their opponents, crying from the househave not been more extravagant than their predecessors. tops "retrenchment and reform," came into power by The chairman agrees that the statement of these expendi- means of their professions on that occasion. Where now tures, yesterday made by the gentleman from South Caro- are those who sounded the tocsin and put the country in lina, [Mr. HAYNE,] is correct. Here then is a chance for an uproar, because of the alleged extravagance of those comparison, of which we have never yet been able to avail who, in 1825 and 1826, administered the affairs of this ourselves in debate with the honorable chairman, because, Union? I ask those who now entreat us to relieve the upon the correctness of other statements of expenditures, consumption of the country from unnecessary exactions, (particularly the diplomatic,) we have disagreed. But, for what have you gained by the change? You assisted to tear the sake of the argument now, let us take the report of down the whole system of internal improvement, by the gentleman from South Carolina, which the chairman which, under the auspices of the last administration, our tells us is correct. rivers were cleared of obstructions, and our country was intersected with roads and canals. You desired this as “a consummation devoutly to be wished for." But have the public expenditures been diminished? Not so. Not so. The "retrenchment" is more extravagant than the exDeducting five mil-penses you desired to retrench. Nothing is more clear than that these expenditures have increased, and are increasing, notwithstanding the country has lost the benefit of the usual appropriations, from its own funds, for internal improvement. To all such of these advocates of reform as were sincere in the opinions they formerly professed, I therefore say, come forth, and aid us in attempting to relieve the country from unnecessary burdens, in every instance where it can be done consistently with the interest and honor of the nation. Each man reserving to himself his proper opinions of other things, let us co-operate in the good work of pruning away unnecessary appropriations, and let the country have the full benefit of the results of our co-operation in that cause.

Mr. C. then read the statement submitted by Mr. HAYNE, of the appropriations and expenditures from 1822 to 1830, inclusive.

The expenditures were

$10,750,000

In 1824,

1825,

11,240,080

1826,

13,002,000

1827,

12,650,000

1828,

13,296,000

1829,

13,660,000

1830,

13,229,000

lions for the Flo-
rida treaty.

The present administration came into power on the 4th of March, 1829. The gentleman from Georgia seems to consider the expenditures of that year as not properly chargeable to the party in power. I suppose because two months of the year had rolled away before the inaugura- Mr. FORSYTH said that, if any thing could be saved tion. And yet the same gentleman informed us that the to the Government by striking out the appropriation, the party in Congress was alone responsible for expenditures; argument would be good. But there would be no saving not the President. Judging the party by its acts in Con- of money. Some gentlemen were of the opinion that the gress, pray will he tell me why it is not answerable for the application of the contingent fund would be proper, expenditures of 1828? It had a majority during the ses- while others held a different opinion. It was understood sion, when the appropriations for the expenses of that year that Mr. Rives had requested permission to return home. were made greater in both Houses than it has ever had The President contemplated such a contingency, as he since; and if, as he says, it is responsible for the acts of had done in regard to the minister to London. It was of its members in Congress only, why should it now be per- no importance, in point of economy, whether the appromitted to evade the responsibility of its appropriations priation was made now, or was postponed till the next made at that session? Without subscribing to the gentle- session. If the amount should be taken from the continman's doctrine of the irresponsibility of him who availed gent fund, it must be replaced at the next session. He himself of these appropriations to make these expenditures, would postpone any comparison between the expenses of I deny that, on his own ground, the gentleman and his the two administrations. But he could show, at a glance, friends can escape the expenditures of 1829. The last that the expenditures of 1830 were less than those of 1829, administration could not have expended this money. The by 400,000 dollars. When a proper time should arrive, appropriation bills were passed, immediately before the he should be willing to go into an examination of these present Executive came in, by his own friends, and the expenditures and their causes. expenditures of that year were peculiarly those of him

Mr. CLAYTON replied-with all my heart! and when

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