New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-21
French Finances.

Yer Oh Il MdhOS, PAOPAA~N' 49, -
ire Office, statement of the present cOndi-
ton of the French Finances, which con-
taips some facts worthy of notice. On the
LIST Of jan, 1913, the amount of the deficit,
or floating debt caused BY an excess oil
governmental expenditures over the reven-
ne. was 292 million francs, or, in round
numbers, SIS, 0O0,0 The year lSiS in
creased this sum only 100000 fr., owing
to the mosey raised from extraordinary
sources. such as the additional tax of As
ceptimes, and the sale of property belong
inc TO the State, amounting in all to $780,.
100000 fir. The deficit Of l849 was, 2l4.-
100000 fir; that of 1850, 36,OOO,00O, and
that of 1851 M. Fould estimates at Sc, 000s-
goo. The aggregate deficit is thus $780,
600 900 f., or Sl25,OO0,000, which four
wears have added to the consolidated or per-
manent debt of 4,51O, 100000 fr., making in
ali a national debt of thousand millions Of
dollars. The deficit of the present year
M. Fould estimates will be 2O,OOO,OO0 fir.
But the most striking point in the Minis
ter's report, is his statement that the pres
ent system of taxation must be maintained
Enough Of reforms and economics of /
minor character may, he thinks, be adopted,
to restore the equilibrium between expendi-
lures and revenue. But the foundations OF
"our admirable financial system" must not
be touched. The Government, as the same
Minister said in another recent document,
while recognizing the legitimate wishes OF
the population for reforms, is "rtsolved
firmly to maintain a s. stem Of n7osfs so
Conducive to the happiness and 'oeH Icing Of
France" The tax on wine and spirits is
especially noticed as one NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
has Justified and strengthened The
Bank of France is also spoken Of as an in
stitution which ought by all means to be
preserved.
This shows beyond doubt that The Gov
eminent of Louis Napoleon will ID nothing
to alleviate the burdens of the masses, or
to emancipate the internal trade. This de-
prives it of the best chance o. duration
which it might have had. The people at
large will find themselves utterly disap-
pointed in their hope for serious allevia-
ton of their circumstances from the advent
of this usurper, and will, in tine, come to
oppose him as much more zealously than
they have supported him, as hatred and con-
tempt are more energetic than expectation.
The wealthy classes, on the other hand, are
entirely estranged by his coniscaticn of the
Orleans property. His only remaining re-
source is a war, which will give employ
ment and glory to the army, with whose
help he may still keep the country in his
gripe. Without renewal of the imperial
triumphs in the field, he must ere long col
lapse into nothing, even if he is not sudden
ly cut off by assassination. But where IS
he to make such war? Against Austria,
Germany, Russia or Prussia? Nothing is
more unlikely. England is the sole power
that he can assail, and even the Emperor
did not make much out of such an under
taking. Besides, Louis Napoleon has just
declared that he has no intention of trying
such a war, and that the idea is absurd.
These facts confirm what we have said
all along. Louis Napoleon's days are num-
bered, and his end is not remote. By dis
the peasantry and alternating the
middle classes, he has deprived himself of
every permanent foundation on which his
throne might possibly have been erected,
and he will presently topple over into that
ridiculous infamy which seems to be his
proper element.
MANS To CAIIrnpxrA "A Wa chin utnn