"There is not a more important and fundamental
principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the
public engagements; that our appropriations should ever go hand in hand with
our promises. To say that the United States should be answerable for
twenty-five millions of dollars without knowing whether the ways and means can
be provided, and without knowing whether those who are to succeed us will think
with us on the subject, would be rash and unjustifiable. Sir, in my opinion, it
would be hazarding the public faith in a manner contrary to every idea of
prudence."
--James
Madison, Speech in Congress, 1790
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