Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-01
S2,6oo,iT T9

Mint Establishment, Light
House Establishment, Sur
veys of Public Lands, Ma
rne Hospital Establishment,
Public Buildings, Roads anu
Canals, and subscriptions TO
stock OF canals, payment for
buildings destroyed, per act OF
March 8, 1925, and a number
Of others, s I,I10,713 80
misunderstanding expen-
ses Of foreign intercourse, re-
lief and protection Of AmeTi-
can seamen, payments
der various treaties, sc. S232.-
Tl9O3.
?. Military Establishment, G,2lS,22 e3
Including, besides pay and sub
sstence of Army, invalid and
half-pay pensions, 1921 ,3S9-.
OIL; Revolutionary pensions.
S ,3G5 ,l99 81; continuation
of Cumberland road, SIPS,
1867 &C.
3. Naval Establishment, 4,sis9e2 A5
Making total Of expenditures for
that year OF $ls.O6a .slS %
The total expenditure for 1927 was
1890 AGA 81
iii should be made question whether this ag-
gregate expenditure is greater less than it
ought 10 be, ii might be difficult to find any
tain standard By which to ascertain its proprely
1t is obvious, however, from mere inspection OF
the items, that the aggregate is the result of
the deliberate exercise OF the wisdom of the Lee
gislsure upon the several branches of the public
service, pronounced after careful examination OF
the wants and the means Of the nation, and APP
proved by every subsequent Congress. Thus, the
Military Establishment and the Naval Establish
"Y", contracting more than ten ,hirteenths OF the
8!n!9ie expenditure, have frequently oecYpied the
fixed, andilave been suffered to remain as they now
are, because the Representatives of the People
nave deemed them suitable TO the circumstances
OF the country. They have been repeatedly discuss
ed, not only pcnorll m in Iafai ,,,d
year nave been under the consideration of the ap-
ProPriate committees, as well as brought into the
view oil the House by the appropriation bills The
presumption therefore, is, that they not great
err than they ought TO be. Differences oc opinion
there will be, AMI differences opinion tIiei have
been, but they have had no other effect thar TO
ara" tiie attention OF Congress, from time TO time
more closely to the subject, and, on that account
to give to its decision the greater weight.
1t may be remarked, however, that the expen-
citure whether great or small, has kept within the
income In the year 1926, after paying more than
eleven millions on account Of the public debt, and
providing for all expenses, there remained in the
treasury surplus of above six millions and AZ
the end of the year 1927 there also remained
surplus In the Treasury OF above six millions This
cardinal maxim, therefore, has not been violated
Inc income has not been exceeded no debt has been
contracted; no just claimant left unpaid but on the
contrary, large amount of pre- existing debt has
been discharged, and the resources of the country
liberated, Tor the future, from the payment Of its
Interest," while, at the time, the nation is adj
yancing i'll an uninterrupted career Of prosperity
ne same course OF conduct, in the of an in
cividuai, would be deemed wise and prudent and
ii Is not perceived how il can be thought o,her
wise in a nation.
ihe mere fact, that the expenditures have been
greater Tor some years past than they were at an
earlier period Of our Government ia in ;,sc,f a
circumstance whose value aud bearing, in a COM
parative estimate, depends upon other crcunstan-
ceS with which IL may happen to be connected
" th VI, it will readily be perceived that il ought
70 occasion neither alarm apprehension On
me contrary II Is what every one would have ex-
lected, and, when rightly examined, what every
friend o; his country would have wished iii the
rlect, as IL Is aIso in measure the CAUSE of
The growth OF the country, and Of its constantly
increasing prosperity, which has fully kept pace |
with its expansion II, for example we Institute
4 comparison with the early perod Of our Govern
nent 1t VIII be seen, at once that the expenditure
II lis rate OF increase, has not exceeded the neces
'aTy demands arising out Of every other increase
Ioi Dofnc any proportion 10 the increase OF our A.
,'iity, nor to the benefit the citizen derives from
ne acts Of the government. ASSUMING for .bo
'amparison the average expenditure OF the first
.,ght yea underW ashington it is stated to be So
'oa,Z2l 81; but the average population of the Uni
co states DUNG that period was but about four
Millions ana half, whereas il is now supposed TO
re about twelve millions. Considering The com
'arative value OF money at tie two periods the in
reasc Is not out Of proportion. Considering the
comparative ability oil the country, il is far below
/ vi this, some idea may be formed from the fact
hat the valuation of lands, lots, and dwcllinp
ouses, IN the year 1893, amounted to S6I9g772
w, and (such was the Improvement of the coun-
fO IN 1913 1T amounted TO 81 900, 296 900 All
nc period first mentioned, there were but thirteen
tates, represented in Congress by 65 members of
ne House or Representatives, Increased i'm I7g1
, IO1) and 20 Senators. Now, there are TWENTY
'ur States, represented by 2lS members, and
nTee delegates from Territories, and 70 Senator'S
he expenses Of the Legislature alone, al the pre-
eht Time, amount TO SO per cent. more than tie
sho'e civH list at the period first mentioned
we Eiter, IN the year 1895, (he largest Of the
eHoag was but $4i7, l39. In the year 1924, the
X Pendlture for the Legislative branch alone was /
'eVo,Vo5 ~, and 1926, 1851 Ge3 40. The con- >
ngent expenses Of both Houses, in 1875, were =
az ,b'V, IN 1926, they were SGe 900. At the :
enod hrst mentioned, if must also I've remembered
lat mere was no Navy Department in the govt 4
I'd that there was no Navy. Authority was given
law, 10 the year 1874, to build six ffigates; but
he whole expenditure on that account, in the +,
ear l706, was less than $500 600 and was man i
yea by the Department Of War. The Navy J
apartment was Instituted in year 1898 In that 9