Leakage follows in the form of public works which are neither urgent nor necessary; troops re-uniformed and gold-laced over and over again; vessels sent on useless cruises; preparations for war without ever making it; paying the debts of a State, and not requiring reimbursement or insisting on security." Baudoyer.

"But such leakage has nothing to do with the subordinate officials; this bad management of national affairs concerns the statesmen who guide the ship." The Minister [who has finished his conversation].

"There is a great deal of truth in what des Lupeaulx has just said; but let me tell you" [to Baudoyer], "Monsieur le directeur, that few men see from the standpoint of a statesman.

To order expenditure of all kinds, even useless ones, does not constitute bad management.

Such acts contribute to the movement of money, the stagnation of which becomes, especially in France, dangerous to the public welfare, by reason of the miserly and profoundly illogical habits of the provinces which hoard their gold." The Deputy [who listened to des Lupeaulx].