The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-12-19
OLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, ls4O.
Number 81.


pie resources for every emergencyi and we
may be quite sure that our citizens; in no
future exigency will be unwilling to supply
the Government with all the means asked
for the defence Of the country. In time Of
peace there can, at all events, be no jusli6-
cation for the creation of a permanent deb,
by the Federal Government. Its limited
range Of constitutional duties may certainly
under such circumstances, be performed
without such resort. 1t has, il is seen
been avoided during four years of greater
fiscal difficulties than have existed in a SIM
liar period since the adoption of the consti-
tuition, and one also remarkable for the oc
currsnce Of extraordinary causes of expendi-
lures.
But 10 accomplish so desirable an object,
two things are indispensable first, that the
action OF the Federal Governmet be kent
within the boundaries prescrbed by its foun-
ders; and, secondly, that all appropriations
for objects admitted to be constitutional. and
the expenditure of them also, be subjected
10 standard Of rigid but well-considered
and practical economy. The first depends
chiefly eL the people themselves, the opiR-
ions they form of the true construction Of
the constitution, and the confidence they
repese in the political sentiments Of those
they select as their representatives in the
: Federal Legislatures the second rests upon
r the fidelity with which their more immeai-
ate representatives, and other public func-
J tionaTies, discharge the trusts committed to
Y them. The duty of econemizing the ex-
b. Penses OF the public service is admitted on
: all hands; yet there are few subjects upon
# which there exists wider difference Of o.
h pinion than is constantly manifested in re-
d gard TO the fdlity with which that duty is
y discharged. Neither diversity OF sentiment,
y nor even mutual recrimnaliens, upon a
point in respect to which the public mind
t, is so justly sensitive, can we'll bs entirely
e avoided; and least so at periods of great po-
t. litical excitement. An intelligent people,
:, however, seldom fail to arrive, in the end,
l. at correct conclusions in such 2 matter.
a Practical economy in the management of
D public affairs can have no adverse influence
10 TO ceutend with more powerful than large
h surplus revenue; and the unusually large
We appropriations for 1887 may, without doubt,
ID independently OF the extraordinary reuuisi-
IN ions for ihe public service growing cut Of
of the state of Indian relation, be, in no Incon-
Of siderable degree, traced TO this source
n The sudden and rapid distribution of the
" large surplus then in the Treasury, and the
E. equally sudden and unprecedently severe
e. reyulsion in the commerce and business Of
RS the country, pointing with unerring certain
s. ty TO great and proiracted reduction of the
III revenne, strengthened the propriety of the
n earliest practicable reduction Of the public
u, expenditures.
le But, to change system operation upon
in so large surface, and applicable to such
III numerous and diversified interests and OBJ
pt jects, was more than The work of day. -
as The attention of every department OF the
b, Government was immediately and in geod
d. faith, directed to that end; and has been so
m continued 10 the present moment. The es-
a. Inmates and appropriations for the year 1898
a. hhe first over which had any centrol) were
i. somewhat diminished. The expenditures
,e of 1899 were reduced six millions of dol
e lars. Those Of 1910, exclusive of dis
e bursemenis for public debt and trust claims,
h will probably not exceed twenty-five and
o half millions; being between two and three
l. millions less than these of 1897. Nor has
5, it been found necessary in order to produce
n this result TO resort to the power conferred
d by Congress, of postPoning certain classes Of
}. the public works, except by deferring ex-
C penditures for short period upon limited
s portion Of them; and which pOstponemens
g terminated some time since, at the moment
the Treasury Department, by further re-
# ceipts from the indebted banks, became full
! y assured of its ability to meet them with
T. out prejudice 10 the public service in other
!. respects. Causes are in operation which
+. will, it is Believed, justify still further re-
/. ducton, without injury to any Important
y national interest. The expenses Of sus-
). tanning the troops employed in Florida have
4. been gradually and greatly reduced, through
the persevering efforts Of the War Depart
}. ment; and reasonable hope may be enter
4. tanned that the necessity for military opera
q tions in that quarter wiz soon cease. The
\ removal Of the Indians from within our set
+ lied borders is nearly completed. The pen
!. sion list, one of the heaviest charges upon
f the Treasury, is rapidly diminishing by
I death. The most costly OF our public
' bulldogs are either finished, or nearly so;
and we may, think, safely promise our
selves continued exemption from border
di0r rultios