Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-09
RICHMOND WING.
THURSDAY MORNING. JUNE o.
THE ARMY.

In 1892, when it was proposed TO increase the
army to something over 5O0O-ihe expense, which
was estimated for that number of men at a million
and quarter OF dollars, was strongly urged as an
objection to the scheme. Now when money is
nearly scarce and as valuable as then, for the
average price of every article of consumption is but
li,;e II any higher than il at that time we are
asked 10 appropriate some eight millions for but lite
more than double that number. What has produced
this won erul change IN the cost OF the deences of
the country and what the change ia the opinions OF
the Republicans Of the Lanjl Then they ere reso
lutely opposed to any increase of the army, al.
though II was intended to be but temporary, ana
was, IN fact, again reduced coon after. We would
by no means break down the army, would keep
up the present organization, but reduce the number
OF men 10 40 for each cOmpany-,his would re-
duec the number of non commissioned officers and
priva,cs 70 5000. The pay and subsistence OF such
an army should not cost over S2,3jOOOO, allow ING
the cost of each man to be $3.50 and allowing the
most liberal pay, much more than is now provided
for by law, 10 the officers. which should be in the
form Of al annual allowance, and nothing contin,
gent except mileage, and that at the rate cost the
officer. Extras should be entirely abolished. Per
rigid and punctual accountability that once OBJ
served in the War Department, and we shall no
more hear of estimate of eight millions TO- an
army OF 1000, Repairs and nrming Of FORTH
cations-Armories-Nlilita Academy, and all
the various extras that make up the army bud
get should not, certainly, cost as much rs the
army ITSELF but will put it at the same; here
then, Is an annual expenditure for the Army, and
every whit as efficient the one you have-ol
100000. What then, we ask. can be the ne
cessity for an annual outlay of sS,0O0.OOO7 How
IS hspent2 In waste-eXtra ailowances-extrava-
CANT contracts-fnvortism. II any one wishes TO
know, let him read the reports Of Committees of
Congress, and the debates on the army appropria-
tons, and he will be at once satisfied that nearly
moiety oft the millions that have been spent for
this, and we might safely say every other, govern
men purpose, for the last 10 years, might, by hon
esty and fidelity in public servants, have been saved
,othe country And yet, with NIL the startling facts
that have been developed by the Committees of
Congress for the last ~ months no sooner does that
body attempt to lop of these excrescences-,o
curla expenses, TO reform abuses, and 10 bring
things back TO the old Republican track OF honesty
and economy-than it isnssailed by hosts Of those,
who have been either directly or indirectly benefit
ted by the plcnder Of the public Meetings are
gotten up TO memorabilia Congress ugans. the cry
ing injustice Of cutting of the various condu,s
through which Government pap has been flowing in
certain directions long, that its recipients think
they have prescrptive right to live on the labor
OF others thr ough all time Let that body be not
deceived by the clanor Of n few newspapers, or
the meetings. hernlded numerous that nrc gotten
up to overawe their decisions. Both the one and
the other are, in large majority Of instances the
wailings Of the in,erested-the complaints Of the
receiving portion-not the unbOught opinion Of the
many, who pay all and receive nothing, and expec,
nothing but the benefits Of good government-pre-
cious little Of which they have gotten Of late.
The People have been humbugged and govern
ment-ridden long enough, and they arc becoming
FESTIVE under ii-ihoy wish good government, and
they are convinced that none can be good, or Mt
least long remain so, that is not economically ad-
ministered, and economy they arc determined TO in
iroducstho outcries Of the interested to the con
tnry Notwithstanding.
The proiuso expenditure by the general govern
ment, and the corruption tina. has grown out Of H.,
has done more to demoraze the people in 10 years
than could be remedied in 100 by the purost ad
minisiration The world ever saw. Let US not how
be willing that profusion nd waste should
tinue because the evils that have grown out ofhem
cannot he removed in our time; LEI US do our duty
to our children noble sires did theirs to us,
and leave the rest to GODl