Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-10-12

we have seen this assertion made in the London
papers lately but so far as we recollect the stats
tics of mortality, we Of opinion that no city in
the Union, with the exception, probably, OF New
Haven in Connecticut, and Bangor, in Maine, ex->|
hibits less annual mortality; and there is no
capital in Europe which approaches Washington
in that respect We are jealous of the reputation
Of place endeared to us by so many pleasant re.
and are glad that facts and figures
respond strongly to our feelings on the present
occasion. a
The desire of cheap government to which we
have alluded is supported by very active and ar
dent body Of politicians, and is every way respond
ed to by the people; it comprises, as the como
mist says, " nucleus of truth, surrounded by a
vast nebula Of FEASIBILITY" There may, how
ever, be danger Of installing the latter for the
former and, in consequence, substituting shallow
and miscalculating parsimony for liberal and Ju-
dicious economy. We are not among those VINO
assert that the best government for England, or IN
deed for any country, is that which costs the least
money; nor do we consider any thing as necessa-
rily cheap because it can be purchased Tor little
money. There is penny and pound-foolish
policy, which is mischievous in private lie, but
which would be absolutely runous in conducting
the affairs Of nation.
We do not think that our Government is fairly
chargeable with extravaganza on the whole, what
ever may have been the case until lately In some
-dockyards, for instance. We will collect
few figures upon this subject from Messrs. NORMAN
e. PoRTERs statistics, which we think will bear us
out in this respect.
But first, we must observe that Great Britain is
differently circumstanced fromany other European
country. Your readers can draw the parallel as to
the United States for themselves; we have not the
materials.
FRANCE has larger population than Great Bri-
tain, but scarcely any colonies except Algeria. In
lS43 her civil administration employed 597,72O
persons, at cost of gl2,00O,000. France has as
numerous and expensive navy as England, though
with her few colonies and little commerceit is diff
cult to perceive the necessity for it. Her standing
army consists Of 100000 men. The actual ex-
pendture per head in France, for purposes Of Gov
ernment is 81 shillings.
AUSTRIA and PRUSSIA exceed us in point OF home
territory, but they have no colonies, and compare
lively little commerce. In AUSTRIA the number of
public employees is 100000. The army Of Austria
is 100000; that of Prussia 10000, besides the
landwehr, or militia.
HOLLAND has rich colonies, and prosperous and
extensive commerce; but her population is below
3,500,O00, and her colonies very little expense
to her. Her army consists of 100000 men, and
the expenses of her Government average ls shil-
lings pence per head.
BELeIUM, with population below 100000, on
an area Of $4,000 square miles, without any colo
MES, or foreign commerce of any extent, has an
army of 10000 men.
SPAIN has population of l2,500,O00, and sur
face of 10000 square miles. Her colonial pos
sessions, SO far from being tax upon her, are the
main source of her wealth. Her inhabitants pay
10 shings Spence each annually in support of the
Government.
RUSSIA has population of 81, OOO,O 900, and an
army of 100000. She has no colonies which cost
her any thing, and her commerce is unimportant.
How stands Great Britain in respect to all these
elements of political and social condition. She has
home population Of 3O.OOO,OOO, commerce of
unrivalled magnitude, and dependencies in every
part of the world and with rising colonies requiring
protection and care. Our colonies alone cost us,
according to Mr.. Porter, between four and five mil
lions sterling annually; yet, vith this additional ex-
pense, our actual expenditure for purposes Of Gov.
eminent is only lbs. I'D. per head, and ,cifhoM it
only l6s Cd considerably less than either Holland
or Spain, and not much more than half of what is
paid in France. The civil administration of Great
Britain in 1895 employed only 23,57S persons, at a
cost of 1885, OOO Not one twenty-fth part of those
employed in France, nor one-ffth of those employ
ed in Austria.
The aggregate standing forces of Europe reach
100000, on a population OF 2OO,OOO,OOO, being
an average of about one per cent. This proper
ton would give Great Britain 900 soldiers sailors
instead Of which she has only 100000 say 900 soldiers
and 600 sailors These facts will show. think, that
although there may be and doubt is for economical
reductions in departments, yet taken whole
always leaving the immense taxation necessary pay the
interest Of the national debhe people of Great Britain
sadded with less expensive Government than be found
elsewhere in Europe.
Some Of the newspapers in the manufacturing districts
urging the working classes make The most Of the present
period of low prices of provisions and plenty of work. and,
whilst they have chance, make little preparation for the
future The following list Of prices of the most necessary
articles Of consumption the respective dates of 1910 and
1850, when taken in connexon with the fact that the former
period Of scany employment and low wages whilst
the latter is Of full work and good wages, will show the
improved condition of the manufacturing operative
1870 v 1850,
Best -four, per stone GA lbs IS. Cd. Is l0d.
Oatmeal 90. ....-.............2
Mutton (leg off per pound. .........0
Lard do O 8 0 81
Cheese do .......O 8 0
Dacon 90 .-.-....-.......U -
Duuer lnfkn) 40 ..--...........l
Sugar Observation-Disclosures 8 o
Coffee do .......I 10 3
Tea do ..........5 0 o