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Editorial
February 9, 1797
The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser
Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
An editorial urging Congress to cut wasteful government expenses like frigates, ambassadors, mint, military, and diplomatic missions instead of imposing new taxes, highlighting burdens on farmers versus stockholders, and questioning costs of Algiers and Jay treaty dealings. Dated New-York, January 22.
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OCR Quality
95%
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Full Text
NEW-YORK, January 22.
It is an old saying, and a true saying, that a penny saved is as good as a penny earned. If Congress, instead of racking their brains by what mode of taxation to raise revenue sufficient for the exorbitant demands on our government; I say, if they would spend a few thoughts on what might be saved by lopping off unnecessary expenses, they might perhaps find, that by proper deductions and better oeconomy, our present impost is quite sufficient.-- Has it ever been believed, or was it ever said off the floor of Congress, that the frigates now building at so enormous expence, will ever be of any service to the United States? Therefore, why not sell them. Are federal courts and federal judges a very heavy expence and of no service whatever? What a great expence is the foolish and monarchical form of keeping so many ambassadors at almost all the courts in Europe; are they of any utility? Common Sense answers, no. Then call them home, and save our money. The mint speaks for itself, and every year's report concerning that institution must hurt the feelings of every American who disbelieves the creed, that a public debt is a public blessing.
Those who have the direction of our public affairs. With humble submission I will propose the following queries to the Executive, viz. how much hath the speculating negociations of remittances to the Dey of Algiers cost the United States? And after all these unnecessary expences, is there not 100,000 dollars swindled out of the public purse? What hath it cost these states to send John Jay to the Court of Great-Britain, to make the secret treaty? And in what time will the net advantages arising from that same treaty defray the expence? Is it necessary to keep up the present compliment of a standing army? Is, or is not, the public debt augmenting annually, and must the industrious farmer bear all these burdens, while the stock-holder who draws his interest for thousands which cost him but a trifle, pay nothing at all!
These are serious queries, and those who are burthened and oppressed with heavy taxes are entitled to an answer.
It is an old saying, and a true saying, that a penny saved is as good as a penny earned. If Congress, instead of racking their brains by what mode of taxation to raise revenue sufficient for the exorbitant demands on our government; I say, if they would spend a few thoughts on what might be saved by lopping off unnecessary expenses, they might perhaps find, that by proper deductions and better oeconomy, our present impost is quite sufficient.-- Has it ever been believed, or was it ever said off the floor of Congress, that the frigates now building at so enormous expence, will ever be of any service to the United States? Therefore, why not sell them. Are federal courts and federal judges a very heavy expence and of no service whatever? What a great expence is the foolish and monarchical form of keeping so many ambassadors at almost all the courts in Europe; are they of any utility? Common Sense answers, no. Then call them home, and save our money. The mint speaks for itself, and every year's report concerning that institution must hurt the feelings of every American who disbelieves the creed, that a public debt is a public blessing.
Those who have the direction of our public affairs. With humble submission I will propose the following queries to the Executive, viz. how much hath the speculating negociations of remittances to the Dey of Algiers cost the United States? And after all these unnecessary expences, is there not 100,000 dollars swindled out of the public purse? What hath it cost these states to send John Jay to the Court of Great-Britain, to make the secret treaty? And in what time will the net advantages arising from that same treaty defray the expence? Is it necessary to keep up the present compliment of a standing army? Is, or is not, the public debt augmenting annually, and must the industrious farmer bear all these burdens, while the stock-holder who draws his interest for thousands which cost him but a trifle, pay nothing at all!
These are serious queries, and those who are burthened and oppressed with heavy taxes are entitled to an answer.
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
Taxation
What keywords are associated?
Government Expenses
Fiscal Economy
Public Debt
Unnecessary Spending
Congress Critique
Tax Burdens
Standing Army
Jay Treaty
Algiers Negotiations
What entities or persons were involved?
Congress
Executive
John Jay
Dey Of Algiers
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Unnecessary Government Expenses And Advocacy For Fiscal Economy
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Wasteful Spending And Calls For Reduced Expenditures
Key Figures
Congress
Executive
John Jay
Dey Of Algiers
Key Arguments
Penny Saved Is As Good As Penny Earned; Focus On Cutting Expenses Rather Than New Taxes
Frigates Building At Enormous Expense Unlikely To Serve Us; Sell Them
Federal Courts And Judges Are Heavy Expense With No Service
Maintaining Ambassadors In Europe Is Monarchical And Useless; Call Them Home
Mint Institution Is Wasteful And Hurts Americans Who See Public Debt As Not A Blessing
Speculating Negotiations To Algiers Cost Much And Resulted In 100,000 Dollars Swindled
Jay's Secret Treaty With Britain Costly With Unclear Net Advantages
Standing Army Unnecessary; Public Debt Augmenting Annually
Farmers Bear Burdens While Stockholders Pay Nothing