"What has been the state of things since 1853? It is useless to blink the fact that not merely within the circle of the public departments and of Cabinets, but throughout the country at large, and within the precincts of this House—the guardians of the purse of the people—the spirit of public economy has been relaxed; charges upon the public funds of every kind have been admitted from time to time upon slight examination; every man's petition and prayer for this or that expenditure has been conceded with a facility which I do not hesitate to say you have only to continue for some five or ten years longer in order to bring the finances of the country into a state of absolute confusion."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Prime Ministers of the United KingdomPoliticians from EnglandTheologians from EnglandAcademics from the United KingdomNon-fiction authors from England
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Speech in the House of Commons (21 July 1859) against Benjamin Disraeli's Budget
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Ewart_Gladstone
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
William Ewart Gladstone
1868 – 1874
William Ewart Gladstone (29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British Liberal politician and Prime Minister (1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886 and 1892–1894). He was a notable political reformer, known for his populist speeches, and was for many years the main political rival of Benjamin Disraeli.
298 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by William Ewart Gladstone →
Related Quotes
"Now is the time for the true friend of his country to remind the masses that their present political elevation is owi…"
"I am a Free Trader on moral no less than on economic grounds: for I think human greed and selfishness are interwoven …"
"George III in his private character shows to advantage when compared with Charles II or George II. But, if George III…"
"I am thankful to have borne a part in the emancipating labours of the last sixty years; but entirely uncertain how, h…"
"[W]hat I call the ‘mad and drunk’ scheme of my colleagues on the naval estimates. ... [T]hat scheme (the most wanton …"
"In 1880, Midlothian leading the way, the nation nobly answered to the call of justice and [br]oadly recognised the br…"
"I am vexed to see portions of the labouring class beginning to be corrupted by the semblance of power as the other cl…"
"I cannot help regretting that the hon. and gallant Gentleman has felt it his duty to put the question. It is put unde…"
"I agree with you that a grave calamity overhangs the Liberal party in connection with the plan which I described to y…"
"This means war!"