Delaware journal., 1828-02-19

aggregate of more than twelve millions and an half of
dollars From all this weight of burthen, the peo-
pie of this country had been relieved. Above
twelve millions and an half of revenue had been
surrendered; yet, the interest of'the public debt,
amounting at the beginning of the period, to more /
than six millions Of dollars per annum, had been du-
ly pad--the claims growing out of the war, OF ve-
ry large amount, had been paid-the army estab-
lishment supported--the navy maintained and aug
mented-a system of fortifcation established and
prosecuted, commensurate with the wants OF the
| country-the claims under the treaty with Spain
had been satisfed-the regular operations of the
Government carried on--and, besides occasional
appropriations by Congress, permanent provision
Ga heavy draught upon the Treasury; but we'll ap-l
pIied) had been made for adding to the comforts
of the declining years Of the veterans of the Re-
volution Something not inconsiderable, too, had
been done for internal Improvement. And, during
the same period, as he had already stated seventy
millions had been paid off, Of the principal Of the
public debt. Of this amount, he thought proper TO
add more than sirteen millions (prncapal Of public
debD had been paid during the present Admiaistra-
tton.
! government which has effected this, he said
would seem to be entitled to the praise obeing wise
and economical, at least until the contrary appear
ed by some proof of extravaganza. And what is our
position now? There is no internal tax-no direct
burthen the expenses of our government are en-
tirey betrayed by the indirect taxation Of the Gus
toms. We are in the full enjoyment OF civil. religl-
Gus, and political liberty to an extent without ex-
ample and, last not least, there is as much abst-
nence on the part of the government, in the exer-
else of its powers over individuals, as possibly
be observed: much greater than any known gov
ernment ever did, or now does observe. We ENJOY
under il ample protection and yet, we never feel Its
pressure. We know of its existence only BY the
benefits it confers.
| Out of the income and revenue Of the country ten
millions year are rrevocably destined as sinking
fund to extinguish the public debt. The process is
rapidly going on. He would not repeat the accu-
rate and satisfactory statement which had been made
by his colleague (Mr. Stewart.) The annual ap-
preparations is more than sufficient to pay of the
debt at the periods when by the terms of the seve-
, raj loans it is redeemable. The whole may be pa
off in the year 1885, and large surplus accumula
, ted in the Treasury After that period, the pre-
sent revenue will exceed, by at least ten millions
dollars the wants of the government, and may ac
cordingly be reduced. Such is our condition, ant
such our prospects.
But there is other proof more precise, and in SOM
respect more satisfactory, upon this poi mt of wis
economy. What are the total expend itures of tn
: government, the public debt included Let us TAX
! the year 1896. 1t affords better basis than tn
n year Just ended, because it is all matter OF exac
e knowledge, and no part estimated. The whole eS
penditure is about twenty four millions of dollars
o The population of the United States at the presen
h moment, is not exactly known. But, upon tho low
est estimate that be reasonably formed Off tn
expenditure less than two dollars for each indv
O dual composing it. How, then can it be supposed
"A as it seemed to be by the gentleman from Virginia
'e (Mr. Floyd,) that the comparison with other co vi
at tries would be dsadvantageous to usr There
: no comparison in the case. Take the governmer
of England for example. The taxation there. az
IL IN tha ato | have iaklJ
e an average of five years. ending in 1928, is no le
- than fifty three millions sterling, and the parochl
taxes are stated at seven millions more, making
tai of sixty millions. This is equal to three pount
" sterling head of the whole population, or, at II
- present rate of exchange, fifteen dollars head. b.
10 he understood the member Of Virginia, Mr. Floy'
W to say, that we must add the expense OF our sta
en- Governments and local charges, and these belr
d. added, our Government would appear to be an e.
'as pensve one. In the State which he Mr.. Sergean
III had the honor in part to represent, there were
10 taxes for the support of Government. The on
te State taxes existing, were some which had been
OF Gently imposed for the purpose OF carrying on
a. great system Of beneficial improvement, whi'
e could not, with any proprety, enter into the cac
ms. lation The proper expenses of the Governme
oe- did not, according to his recoection-he spol
zen merely from mcmory-exceed ten or fifteen cen
for each of the people, AS to the local charges,
sre various kinds, it would be sufficient to say, that
OF they were to be added on side, they must ais
is for the purpose of comparson be added on the OF
by er. They existed every where. If we pay in o.
lat cities and towns for paving, Lighting, cleansing,
De, they exempt from similar charges in England
or we pay for water, do they not pay too The
he charges are, in fact, only equivalents for comfor
of we obtain, and which are better and more cheap
ing obtained by common contribution. No one is e
is empt from them. He who lives in the COUNT
or must either forego these things (some OF them
ort cannot dispense wth) or procure them at his o~
ear expense tie must SINK his own wen 10 yet Wate