As public expenditure, though necessary, is unproductive, it must be limited; and as the means of such expenditure are furnished by the people for defined objects, its limit is easily ascertained. That expenditure alone which is necessary to defence, public order, and social improvement, is justifiable. Such a direction of the public expenditure can be secured only by the public functionaries who expend being made fully responsible to the party in whose behalf they expend. For want of this responsibility, the public expenditure of an early age—determined to pageantry, war, and favouritism—was excessive, and perpetrated by the few in defiance of the many. For want of a due degree of this responsibility, the public expenditure of an after age—determined to luxury, war, and patronage—was excessive, and perpetrated by the few in fear of the many, by deceiving and defrauding them. For want of a due degree of this responsibility, the public expenditure of the present age—determined chiefly to the sustaining of burdens imposed by a preceding age—perpetuates many abuses; and though much ameliorated by the less unequal distribution of power, the public expenditure is yet as far from being regulated to the greatest advantage of the many, as the many are from exacting due responsibility and service from the few. When this service and responsibility shall be duly exacted, there will be— Necessary offices only, whose duties will be clearly defined, fully accounted for, and liberally rewarded;— Little patronage, and that little at the disposal of the people;— No pomp, at the expense of those who can barely obtain support;—but Liberal provisions for the advancement of national industry and intelligence. -------