The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-26
T IL E r. E ? u B Ii G..
w ASH N G TON:
MONDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 90. 1919.
Income and Expenditures.

all the money he could raise on his notes,
and spend accordingly during the twelve
month, the chances are that he might find
deficit in the strong box in the course of
few years. If, in addition to all this,
he should buy few hundred acres, with
water privilege, and agree to pay for
them a certain amount in cash, and bal
ance, by taking up outstanding demands
against the late owner, his neighbors
would not be much surprised to learn that
there was hole in his finances that called
for more money. If he should undertake
to supply this deficit by turning upon his
steward or overseer, and cursing him for
liar and rogue, it is more than probable
that his oaths would not reduce his debt
brass farthing, and that he would have
nothing to do but borrow the money and
pay up. If he could borrow the money,
and treat it as income, he might go swim
mingly on forever; but, unfortunately, in
terest must be met, and some time or other
the principal is called for, and then the
deficit becomes an inconvenience.
Nj. DE ToCQUEvILLE once said very
sensible thing on the subject of statistics.
"The mind" he remarked, sis easily i'm
posed upon by the false affectation of ex-
actness, which prevails even in the mis-
9 statements Of the science, and adopts
with confidence the errors that are ap-
parelled in the form of mathematical
truth" 1t is evident enough that the
Union has been taking lesson out Of the
book Of its French friend. 1t believes
that, if it can throw few figures in mems
eyes, and write about them in italics and
large capitals, with the parade of its hard
and coarse adjectives worn out in active
service, it can mislead men who have
sense enough to keep outside of an idiot
asylum. If the Union really deceives it.
self with its figures, Heaven help it! If
its article Of Saturday last on ''stupendous
imposition" imposed on either its editors,
we will never think i'll of them again To
assail them would be worse than slaugh-
ter of innocents.
In this article the Union uses a great
deal of harsh language towards the Cabinet,
and particular member of it, because we
happened to say that in 1S47 and 1S4S,
the expenses Of the United States exceeded
their income. The Union thinks this in
formation so peculiar that we must have
derived 1T from some member of the Cabi-
net. Our language was: 'In the year
lS47 and l84S, therefore, our expenses
exceeded our income $50, 957, 523." This,
the Union says, is "not true" II then
adds, in the way of giving force to the re-
mark, (for the article seems to have come
from "the young and vigorous mind'' of the
Union,) "on the contrary, the statement is
utterly untrue and false" Most people
have had occasion TO notice in the course
of their lives that truth is Contrary" to
untruth, and that a statement which is not
true is very likely to be "untruc," and
not unlikely to be "false." But by piling
up the words, some writers think to inten-
sify an idea, and thus convey to "good
old men" the impression of vigor of style.
But the Union must speak for itself:
"Thus it is not trueas the Republic asscrts--that
in the years 1917 and 1913, therefore, our OK.
penscs exceeded our income $50 1851, 523.' On
the contrary, the statement Is utterly untrue and
'false, notwithstanding the Cabinet organ asserts
that We cite from printed documcnts.' SO far
from its being true, the fact is that our rseepts
erceeded our expenditures in he sum Of nearly hoo
millions Of dollars.
How darcs the organ Of the Cabinet, speaking
for the Secretary Of the Treasury--we hope with
out HE authority-to put forth such monstrous
and shocking Misrepresentation to deceive and
mislcad the people,
After obfuscating itself with few more
figures, the Union gives an ''actual and
true state Of the case" based on what il
calls "iacts." The only facts cited are
our own statement Of certain items of ex-
penditure, and Mr.. Walkers "esti-
mates" for 1850. Now, in what manner
these estimates can affect our proposition
in regard to the years lS47 and 1S4S we
cannot imagine. But they embrace fig
ures, and our contemporary is, therefore,
in wondering mazes lost" Its deduc-
tons from these facts we must give in the
very words Of the Union:
"Thcy show that the statements in tho Republic
rae utterly falsc and 80 hugely and monstrously
80 az to leave tic irresistible conviction upon tho
mind that they are Intentionally So The facts
we have stated show conclusivey that there ,ca,
no ezcfss Of expenditure The income IN the year,
ls47 and 1873; that INSTEAD of there being an e1ces,
Of ovo THIRTy.six MILLIONS or DOLLARS there IRA,
in both those years actual balance in The bea
stuy."
When we talk Of a mans income, we
mean the wages of his labor, the profits Of
his business, the rent of his estate, the in.
terest upon his stocks or money. But in.
come, in the understanding of the Union
4 L..