The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-08-06
DEMOCRATIC EXfRAvAGANCE.

For five years the country has enjoyed
without interruption, the supreme blessing
of Democratic administration. During that
time the expenses of the Government have
been larger than they ever were before
The expenditures of the Pierce administra-
ton was $232OOO,O00. Mr. Polk, who Ger.
tainly was not the most economical of Pres
idents, spent little upwards of $lSO,OO0,
900, so that Pierce went over nearly fifty
million, although the Mexican war took place
! in Po!k's time. The whole expenditure of
| the Government from its foundation in 1889,
| to the close of the second war with Great
Britain in 1915. period Of twentysix years,
was but Sl72 100000, exclusive of payment
of public debts, and that, although We went
through war of two years and a half dura-
ton, with the most powerful nation at that
time in existence. Mr.. Pierce's expenditures
are also estimated exclusively of payments
upon public debts. The contrast is apalling,
especially when we compare the mighty pro-
gress of our country dusiug the first period,
under the auspices Of Washington, Adams,
Jefferson and Madison, with its ,down-hil
march during the imbecile administration Of
Pierce. The latter actually expended $780,.
100000 more in four years than the four first
Presidents did in twenty six, leaving out pay
ments on the public debt.
There seems to be no more prospect of a
chaLge for the better. On the contrary, al
though Mr.. Buchanan has been in office but
eighteen months, he has already saddled the
coan.ry with ;;ebt Of $65,O00,000, us is ap-
parent from the following statement: At
the commencement of the late session Of
Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury sta
ted that 1926. 80, 900 of debt remained due,
atter he had redeemed three or four millions.
He called at the same time, for loan of $20,-
100000, not to pay off any portion of the old
debt, but to carry On the Government. To-
wards the close Of the session ne called for
an additional $2O,OO0,000 so that we already
owe 65,0O0,000. That there vii. be II large
addition to this debt before the end of The
present fiscal year, is evident enough. The
expenses cannot fall short of $92,000,000,
and we will bet hat that they will greatly
exceed that figure. Now the Secretary es-
Inmates the receipts for the two first quarters
at $26 100000, and as it is not probable that
the two last quarters will be more productive,
il is fair to put down the .whoh revenue for
the current fiscal year at SO, 100000. There
will therefore be deficiency Of $42,000,000
ut the end Of the year, of which 800, 100000
will be- covered by the last named loan al
ready made, leaving deficiency of $20,000,-
000 to be provided for at the next srssion.-
We have thus acertain prospec, of $3.50
900 Indebtedness at the end of the present
fiscal year, and of how much mere, it is i'm
possible to foresee. 1t is remarkable and
alarming, that the Secretary calls on Con-
gross to make these loans without proposing
any plans by which they shall be repaid
He bril- gs forward no scheme of reform, Of
iers no plan of retrenchment, suggests no
change 10 tine tariff laws, but appears to have
embarked the Government in regular sys-
TEN of supporting itself by means of loans.
That we do not over-estimate the expen-
ses for the current vear when we state them
at least S92, 100000, is evident from the fol-
lowing facts. The estimate of Mr.. Cobb
himself, made in his annual report is $74,-
100000, and fraction. In addition to this,
he mentions in his late letter, $lO,000,0OO
more for deficiencies not estimated, which
would swell the SUN to eghty-four millions
of dollars AS he does not state what the
items are that will require the additional ten
millions, we will do it for him. 1t will be
seen that they are likely SO cost far more
than he estimates, and as the information
comes from the Committee Of Ways and
Means, it must be correct:
Three new regiments S4,2S9547
Probable Post.Oifice deficiencies
over amount appropriated 2,5OO,0OO
Public buildings 100000
Private bills (eslimated) 100000
Printing deficiency 100000
Army deficiency, estimated to be
same Us last year 100000