The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-15 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSD V EVENING MAY 15, 1862.

quires to be most narrowly watched by English
statesmen► There is no use in concealing the fact
that there is a widely spread animosity against
Great Britain in America which may overpower the
prudence and wisdom of her statesmen. The mass
of the people are capable of believing anything
concerning the mother country, or rather the Bri-
tish aristocracy. There is a most popular pamphlet
at this time in New York, the object of which is
to prove that the whole of the civil war is the
result of a " plot" of the cotton lords of England.

THE FRENCH BUDGET.

M. Casimir Perier has published, in the form of
a pamphlet, an elaborate and instructive article,
which appeared in the last number of the Revue
des Deux Mondes. It treats a subject of pressing
importance, and which causes much anxiety to
men of thought and reflection. It is entitled, Le
Budget de 1863, and passes in review the pre-
sent state of the finances, as compared with that
of previous periods. M. Casimir Perier adopts for
his text the words spoken by that greatest but most
mistaken of optimists, M. Magne, former Minister
of Finance, in the Corps Legislatif, on the 18th of
March last year,—viz., that " the finances of the
State could not be estimated but in a comparative
point of view. There was nothing absolute in the
finances of a country. One cannot know if they
are good or bad but by comparing them with
another period in the same country, or with other
countries." M. Perier follows the rule thus autho-
ritatively laid down, but he arrives at conclusions
far different from those of its propounder. " Such
comparisons," says M. Perier,--
"Are at all times necessary; they are so now
more than ever, for the new division of the Budget,
the separate classification of expenses from special
resources might countenance singular errors among
those who catch hastily at a few figures, keep them
in their memory, but seldom trouble themselves
with understanding their real meaning. For in-
stance, the ordinary Budget of 1863 presents, in
anticipation of expenditure, a tctal of from
1,729,897,877 f (over £69,000,000 sterling); and
those who remember that the last Budgets of the
constitutional Monarchy were presented at between
1,300,000,000 f and 1,400,000,000 f, settled at be-
tween 1,500,000,000 and 1,600,000,000 f, and that
the Budget of 1862 amounted to E1,969,000,000f,
must go through a double operation to find the real
amount of that of 1863. Thus, to the expenses of
the ordinary Budget of 1863, 1,729,897,877 f, must
be added—first, expenses on special resources,
223,037,785 f; and, secondly, expenses of extraordi-
nary Budget, 138,870,000 f, which gives a total Bud-
get of 2,091,805,662 f. This total exceeds by
122,000,000 f the voted Budget of 1862, by
525,000,000 f the settled Budget of 1846, and by
462,000,000 f, the settled Budget of 1847. But a
general comparison does not suffice, for, as it will
not enable us to justly estimate the expenses nor
clearly indicate the savings that may be realised, a
tabular statement is requisite to compare the prin
cipal elements of the Budget of 1847 with those of
1863."
M. Casimir Perier takes the Budget of 1847 "as
being the last and the highest Budget of the Par-
liamentary monarchy ;" it was not definitively
settled till after the revolution of February, and
the settlement which is taken as the basis for his
calculation showed a considerable deficit. It is
with this Budget that he compares the one pro-
posed for 1863. The settled estimate of presumed
expenditure for 1847 was 1,629,000,000 f, and the
receipts 1,372,000,000 f, leaving a total deficit of
257,000,000 f, and an excess of 97,000,0001 of ex-
penditure over that estimated and the votes of
Parliament, M. Perier remarks that the year
1847 was an exceptional one, as there was
a triple crisis food, finance, and trade.
Yet 177,000,000 f were appropriated to ex-
traordinary works; and es for the sinking fund,
of the 113,000,000 f, which the Treasury paid,
34,000,000 f, were employed in buying up rentes,
and 79,000,000 f were added to the funded debt.
"In order to understand how the Budgets vary in
the different phases through which they pass, the
Budget of 1860, voted at 1,825,000,000 f, was taken
provisionally at 2,167,000,000 f, with a difference
between the anticipation and the receipts of
342,000,000 f; and in 1859 the difference was
432,000,000 f,"
The Civil List of 1863 is 25,000,000 f ; that of
1847, 12,000,0001. For princes and princesses in
1863,1,500,000 f, against 1,300,000 f in 1847; and for
the Chambers, Council of State, Cour des Comptes,
Ministers and the central administration of Minis-
terial Departments, Privy Council, and Ministers
without Portfolio, the total for 1863 is 58,532,156 f,
against 31,529,606 f. in 1847—showing a difference
of 27,003,550 f. in favour of 1847.
" It must be remarked," observes M. Perier,—
" That the 1 milliard 629 millions constitute for
1847 the total of the definitive Budget, whereas the
2 milliards 91 millions of 1863 merely show what
is anticipated. Now, the Budgets of 1860 and 1861,
which are not yet settled definitively, are likely to
show between the primitive amount voted and that
of definitive expenses a difference, between the two,
of more than 600 millions. The Budget of 1860,
fixed by the law of 11th June, 1860,' at 1 milliard
825 millions, figures in the provisional account of
the finance administration at 2 milliards 167 mil-
lions, showing a difference of 342 millions
between the expenses actually incurred and
the expenditure anticipated. Though the re-
sources realised to ineet this CNCeSS of expen-
diture have exceeded by 200 millions the antici-
pations of the Budget, the deficit would still be

142 millions if cancelling credits did not appa-
rently reduce this deficit to 104 millions. The Budget
of 1861, on which no official information is as yet
given, will present on its first anticipations an
excess of expenditure nearly equal. M. Fould, in
his memorial to the Emperor, announced extraordi-
nary credits for more than 200,0Q0,000f. Notwith-
standing an overplus of 79,000,000 f on the antici-
pated receipts, the Emperor's report, w hick precedes
the Budget of 1861, anticipates for 1863 a probable
deficiency of 181,000,000 f, saving reductions which
may result from cancelling credits. It is, unfor-
tunately, too probable that this deficiency will be
exceeded;and that the excess of the expenditure
over what has been anticipated will not be limited
to the 200,000,000 f of which M. Fould spoke. From
1852 to 186/, without a single exception, the regu-
lation of the Budget exhibited a considerable excess
of real over presumed expenditure. In making a cal-
cueation for the 10 years we arrive at three milliards;
a deduction being made for the years of the war in the
Crimea and the war in Italy, the annual average is
above 200,000,000 f. The definitive regulation of
the Budget of 1863 will consequently much exceed
the 2 milliards 91 millions which the Corps Legis-
latif is asked to vote. The suppression of extraor-
dinary and supplementary credits, and the substi
tution of transfers from the Budget of erne Minister
to that of another, cannot suppress the causes which
compelled a recurrence to these credits, and as long
as these causes subsist we must expect to have the
results, under hatever forms or under whatever

name they appear. The obligation to present sup-
plementary Budgets will certainly be an improve.
ment, but is that a sufficient control ? What can
the Corps Legislatif do when the exercise of trans-

as it was voted, special laws are
fers having exhausted the resources of the
presentedßudget to it to
provide for expenses such as those of the war in
Mexico, the expedition to Cochin China, or other
enterprises already commenced ? It cannot do
otherwise than vote the funds."
The departmental expew...o, 142,17 were
56,192,022 f, will amount for 1863 to 121,182,610 f,
or an increase of 35,013,588 f. "These, however,"
he adds, " are in great measure necessary expenses,
over which besides the State has no direct control.
Yet it is not the less true that the augmentation of
those expenses is an additional charge on the tax-
payer."

The ormy and the fleet of Algeria are estimated
in the ordinary and extraordinary budget of 1863
at 565,000,000 f; they cost 482,000,000 f in 1847
difference 83,000,000 f. But of the 482,000,000 f of
1847, 43,000,600 f were applied to extraordinary
_w
ex-
penses;
hile)
even supposing that the sums taken
to the extraordinary budget of 1863 have and main-
tain the same character, those sums only amount to
30,000,000 f. The ordinary expenses of the army

and the fleet of Algeria were fixed for 1847 at
439,000,000; they are estimated for 1853 at
535,000,000, showing a total difference of
56,000,0001. " Who can say, after casting a glance
at the extraordinary credits of late years, what
may be in 1863 the definitive settlement of this
budget ? "
" The public works of 1847 took 177 millions on a
budget of 1 milliard 629 millions, or 10.8 per cent.;
the entire extraordinary budget of 1863 is 138 mil-
lions of 2 milliards 92 millions, or 6 per cent.
Finally, in 1847, 34 millions were employed in the
buying up of Rentes, and 79 millions were funded.
In 1863 the 159 millions of the Sinking Fund are
carried to the receipts."
He gives a statement of the difference between
the estimated and the real expenditure dating the
period from 1831 to 1848, as compared with that
from 1852 to 1861. Thus, from 1831 to 1848,
estimated and voted expenditure, 20,569,00,000 f;
definitive do., 21,884,000,000 f; excess of real over
estimated, 1,249,000,000 f. From 1852 to 1861,
estimated, 14,828,000,000 f; real, 17,767,000,000;
excess of real over estimated, 2,939,000,000 f. The
first period was 17 years; the second 9 years.
" These figures," he observes—
" Show that if, on one hand, in 17 years of Par-
liamentary Government, now so cried down, the
financial result of an administration and a policy
controlled by the Chambers was to make France
spend 1,249,000,000 f (or a yearly average of
73,000,000 f more than estimated ; on the other
hand, in the first nine years of the new regime the
sums of which the Legislative Corps had only to
confirm the employment, instead of providing and
regulating, amounted to 2,939,000,000 f, or a yearly
average of 325,000,000 f."
M. Magne had spoken of the wars of the Crimea
and Italy as among the principal causes of the in-
crease of expenditure in France. "'To justify
this," observes M. Perier,
" It is not enough to appeal to our military glory.
True, France, besides these wars, has also made war
in China and Cochin. China; she has gone to Syria;
she occupies Rome; and she is at this moment en-
gaged in a fresh expedition to Mexico. Algeria is
pacified, and a brilliant campaign has secured the
submission of the Kabyles. To such things no one
is indifferent, even among those who reserve their
judgment as to their utility. But our memory goes
further back. It is not Imperial France alone that
has paid her debt to cur annals. The expedition:of
Belgium, the taking of Antwerp, the expeditions of
the Tagus, Ancona, St. Juan d'Ulloa, and Mogador,
cannot well be forgotten. Algiers was the glorious
bequest of the Restoration ; but it is on the period
of which I compare the balance-sheet with that of
the present that the immense sums applied to the
conquest of Algeria press. Our navy was trans-
formed during the last years of the monarchy; and,
in spite of our revolutions, public opinion has done
justice to the young and generous initiative which
gave to France the most powerful fleet she ever had
till then. Since the Empire, public works have had
an annual average of only 70,000,000 f; the nine
last years of the previous reign show an average of
120,000,000 f."
M. Casimir Perier, still acting on the recom-
mendation of M. Magne, institutes a comparison
with the financial system in England. " From
1830 to 1848," he says,—
" The total of the State Budgets amounted in
England to 21 milliards 680 millions, or an annual
average of 1 milliard 200 millions, while the same
period shows a similar average for the French.
From 1848 to 1861 the English Budgets show a
total of 20 milliards 268 millions, or for the 13
years an average of 1 milliard 580 millions. The
average of these same 13 years is, for France, 1
milliard 880 millions, or 320 millions more than the
English average. The increasing progression of the
Budgets has, then, been more rapid with us than
with our neighbours. The average of these 13
years, as compared with the average of the 13 pre-
vious years, constitutes in the two countries a total
augmentation of charges; for France, 7 milliards
700 millions, and for England 4 milliards 680 mil-
lions. But this is not all that we learn from our
comparison. If England seems to have abandoned
her sinking fund, such as we understand it, and
such as she had long employed it, she continues to
reduce her debt from her surplus income."
M. Perier had already shown that, whereas,—
" From 1816 to 1848 the sinking fund had not
ceased to act in France, from 1848 the buying up
of Rentes was completely suspended,except in 1859
and the first six months of 1860 ; and all the funds
from that source were carried to the account of re-
ceipts of the Budget, and spent. In this way 1
milliard 273 millions were absorbed from 1848 to
1861. . . From 1848 to 1862 England,with her
expedition to the Crimea, two campaigns in China,
under divers forms,
butand thea lit Indianlittle
over
v war, e
rlmilliard,
ae and made successive re-
ductions in her debt amounting to more than 600
millions. During the same 13 years the French
funded debt was increased by from 244,000,000 to
380,000,000, and the amount of active Routes is
330,000,000 instead of 176,000,000. Under this
head alone more than 150,000,000 of annual Rente
have been added to the public charges. This is
more than the e.atraordinary Budget of 1863 ; and
it is five times the proved tax upon salt. 17 of the
31 years to which the examination of the English
Budgets applies shows a surplus-
-14 years a deficit.
The deficits amount to about 1 milliard 200 mil-
lions ; the surplus to 1 milliard ; but the three
years' war in the Crimea claim 800,000,000 of that
deficit, and if we deduct these three years the 28
others, taken together, show a surplus of about 600
millions. These figures, which nobody will dispute,
which nobody can dispute, are more eloquent than
any comments. I could add nothing to this speak-
ing homage in favour of the financial administration
of free Governments."

M. Casimir Perier concludes as follows :

" I can draw from the reflections which the Bud-
get of 1863 has s uggested to me no other conclu-
sions than these—that, for the public foLtune, as for
private interests, there is no guarantee but liberty,
and for Governments no safeguard but in discus-
sion and control. Abroad, the influence of a coun-
try is based less on the multiplicity than on the jus-
tice and the utility of its enterprises. Good policy
does not consist in being everywhere, or in trying
to have influence on all, but in acting with consis-
tency, and morally and materially in consulting
only really wants and durable interests, At home,
nothing is more fatal than uncertainty and insta-
bility. After having innovated much, overthrown
much, and essayed much, it is now seen that we
have gone back instead of advancing, for mere rest..

lessness is not movement. We are not, as regards
wealth, industry, and confidence, at the point we
were aftt.: the Crimean war. It would perhaps be
unjust to limit too much, and still more unjust to
extend the responsibility of suoh a change. Each
one of us has the right to accept his part of that
responsibility only so far as he has contributed to
create it, or as it was possible for him to prevent it.
What passed yesterday belongs to history, and
history will pronounce its decision there where
we have only found a lesson. Let us, then,
look forward and occupy ourselves with the
morrow. France once warned and offered the
alternative, would be henceforth without excuse
if sho did not give to the direction of her interests
the attention she bad too much withdrawn from
them; and if, with a view to preserve some influ-
ence on her destiny, she did not exercise the right
which the constitution gives her."

-
The following is an extract ofa private letter from
Sydney, dated tho 10th March Dun- t sen or let any
nj we know more of the Lachlan Dig-
gings, for it ie now almost proved that they are the richest
ever yet seen. Last week the escort brought down 11,000
ozs., and left 5,000 ozs. behind."
RELIC OF ANCIENT LIVERPOOL.—A curious
tunnel has been discovered in James-street, during the ex-
cavations being made under the direction of the borough
engineer to ascertain the cause of the sinking of the road-
way. The tunnel is about 30ft. in depth from the surface
of the ground, Oft. in height, and seven and a half in width.
It contained a quantity of refuse, which is now being
cleared out, but its length cannot yet be ascertained. The
tunnel was first discovered in making ono of a series of
excavations near St. George's Church, and it tikes a direct
tion from that point down James-strcet towards the river.
The supposition is that the tunnel may bo a remnant of the ,
works connected with the old castle, which at a remote
period stood near the site now occupied by Et, George's
Church,—Liverpool Atercury,

THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE LON-
DON, CiIATIIAIII, AND DOVER RAILWAY.

FAVERSHAM, WEDNESDAY EVENING'
This morning, shortly before 11 o'clock, the county
coroner, Mr. T. T. Delavaux, resumed his inquiry
as to the cause of death of James Stratton Plumb,
commercial traveller, and Wm. Harris, storekeeper
in the service of the company, whose deaths had re-
sulted from injuries received at the accident at
Ospringe, on the London, Chatham, and Dover
line, on the previous Friday. The inquest room, at
the Anchor Inn, was crowded throughout the in-
quiry, and the greatest possible interest was mani-
fested in the proceedings.
After medical evidence as to the nature of the
injuries from which death had resulted,
Matthew Simpson, of London, engine-driver in
the service of the company, deposed—At ten minutes
past seven on Friday morning last I left the Victoria
Station in charge of the express mail train, which
consisted of the engine and tender, a first and two
second-class carriages, and a break van, belonging
to the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Com-
pany, in whose employ I am, and have been so,
nearly 11 months. Ido not know the number of
passengers. Nothing unusual occurred until the
accident happened. On reaching Ospringe I ob-
served that the rails were in a bad state on the off
side. The rails were out of order; that is, they
were not in their proper position. I cannot say what
caused the rails to be in that state. The engine and
tender left the rails, and the next thing I sa w was
the carriages going down the embankment on the
near side of the line. The cause of the engine leav-
ing the line was the crooked state of the rails. I
could do nothing to prevent the accident. I can-
not throw any more light on the occurrence. The
average rate of the mail train is about 40 miles an
hour. At the time of the accident we were travel-
ling at the rate of 20 miles an hour, having
slackened the-speed for the gates on that part of
the line. The rails were in a slippery state,
and therefore the train was slackened. It was
about thirty yards from where the accident hap-
pened when I observed the defective state of the
rails. I had no time to try to stop the train then.
I have been an engine driver upwards of 17 years.
By Mr. Round—The engine was in first-class
order on the morning of the accident. I examined
it before leaving London, and also at Chatham.
Robert Crumby, the stoker of the engine, and
Charles Henry Benham, the head guard of the
train, were also examined, and gave similar evidence
to that of the driver.
Henry Ramsden, of Faversham. in the employ of
the company as plate-layer, said—l have been so
employed for the last five years, mostly in this im-
mediate neighbourhood. My duty is to walk my
length every morning, and examine the rails and
line generally, to see that all is right, from Faver-
sham to Beaton-hill cutting. This distance includes
the spit where the accident occurred. A little
before 6 on the day of the accident I started from
Hangman's-lane, and I completed my inspection by
a little after 7. It was my duty to go over the line
once a day. The permanent way was in perfect
order. If there had been anything the matter I
must have seen it. The line was safe to pass over.
If there had been anything the matter it was my
duty to repair it.
The witness was examined at some length as to
the state in which he found the line after the acci-
dent, and he described that some of the rails were
bulged out and the chains and trenails broken.
Mr. Joseph Cubitt, of Great George-street, West-
minster, said—l am a civil engineer. I constructed
the London, Chatham, and Dover line as far as it
is open, a distance of about 65 miles. In that dis-
tance the spot where the accident happened is in_
eluded. In every department and part it has been
made to my entire satisfaction, and in the very best
style of construction. I know the spot where the
carriages ran off the line. It is on a curve of 70
chains radius, and on a gradient of 1 in 132, both
of which are quite unobjectionable. For the last
three years I have not seen anything of the line.
After the accident I did not find anything wrong
in the permanent way. The line has been opened
about four years or a little more.
By Mr. Round—On Saturday last I examined the
materials left by the accident. I found the broken
trenails perfectly sound, and the sleepers also. I
constructed the Great Northern line. Up to a recent
period wooden trenails were in universal use on four-
fifths of the Great Northern line. They are still in
use. I prefer the wooden trenails as a fastening to
the iron spikes. They are being very largely used
by the leading engineers of the country, The South
Eastern was laid upon the same system.

By Colonel Yolland—lron spikes are now being
introduced into the wooden trenails on this line.
This has been done in consequence of similar mis-
haps on other lines. Fishing of the joints of the
rails are now going on.