The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-09-02

"besldes, practice has grown up OF late
years TO legislate in appropriation bills at
the last hour of the session on new and i'm
portant subjects. This practice ccnstrains
the President either to suffer measures to
become laws which he does not approve, or
to incur the risk Of stopping the wheels Of
the Government by vetoing an appropria-
ton bill. Formerly such bills were con6n.
ed to specific appropriations for carrying in.
to effect existing laws and the we'll estab-
lished policy of the country, and little time
was then required by the President for their
examination"
Conservative men of all parties have ex-
pressed their appreciation of these senti-
ments, and it should be cause of graduation
with all that the President has adhered to
them with so much frmness and courage.
His course at this session has saved mil.
lions of dollars hat would have been USE
lessly expended. 1t has given to the coun-
try cleaner appropriation bills than we
have heretofore had during my service in
Congress. He has inaugurated a policy
that " i'll insure results important to sound
legislation, and of lasting benefit to the peo.
pie. 1t is practical measure, we'll calcu'
lated to bring about much needed ecoDo-
my in public expenditures. For it deserves
the thanks of the people, and they will be
greatfully accorded.
So true friend to economy has the Pre-
sident shown himself, and 90 anxions is he
to secure it in his administration of the Gov
ernment, that he has again, this day. in q
special message, endeavored to impress up
on Congress his views on this interesting
subject. Who can fail to indorse these SEN
timents in his special message! Who can
hesitate to accord TO them his entire appro-
val?
"Adversity teaches useful lessons to ma.
tions as we'll as individuals. The habit OF
extravagant expenditures, fostered by a
large surplus in the Treasury, must now be
corrected, or the country will be involved
in serious financial difficulties.
"Under any form of government extra
vagance in expenditure must be the natural
consequence when those who authorize the
expenditure feel no responsibility in pro.
viding the means of payment. Such had
been for number of years our condition
previously to the late monetary revulsion
in the country. Fortunately, at least for
the cause of public economy, the case is
now reversed and to the extent of the ap.
p:opriations, whatever these may be, in.
grated on the different appropriation bill
as well as those made by private bills, ovel
and above estimates of the different depart.
ments, it will be necessary for Congress to
provide the means of payment before theil
adjournment. Without this, the Treasury
will be exhausted before the first of Janua.
ry, and the public credit will be seriously
impaired. This disgrace must not fall up
on the country"
The gentleman, then, charges that the ex.
penditures now are extravagant beyond all
precedent, and they are wholly inexcusable
upon any fair ground. Before proceeding to
reply to the views which he presents in this
part Of his argument, / desire to call atten.
ton to some historical facts that are impor,
tant in this connection, and which are indis.
pensible to correct judgment upon the is'
sues he has rendered.
And first, as to the number of States and
organized Territories, and their area, in
1916; and the number of States and Terri.
tories, and their area, in 1858. At the for.
mer period we had eighteen States, cover.
ing an area of504,5I2 square miles, and five
organized Territories, (exclusive of the Dis.
trict Of Columbia) covering an area OF 254,-
452 square miles. In 1858 we have thirty
two States, covering an area of 1902, ,OOO
square miles, six organized Territories. (ex-
elusive of the District of Columbia, covering
an area of l,401,0o0 square miles. Besides
this, we have the Mesilla Valley, embracing
$4,000 square miles, and Indian Territory
embracing $4,000 square miles. In 1916
therefore, the States and Territories covered
759,s64 square miles, while in 1858 they
cover s,25S,OOO square miles; an area four
times and one third larger now than in
1916.
In 1915 the strength of our Army was
10000 men, while in 1858 its strength is
1884 men.
lnlsl5 the Navy comprised 96s officers, o
all grades. (including marines.) In 1858 the
officers had increased to 1886. In 1916 the
number of men cannot be ascertained, bul
from the best evidence that can be obtained
the number was about $3.50. Now the
number is $500. In 1915 we had SO yes.
sells, carrying l,ll9 guns; 25 vessels with
no armament; a bombs and II gun boats
making 90. In 1858 we have 10 ships O
the line, earring S72 guns; 10 frigates car.
rying 500 guns; 81 sloops of war carrying
426 guns; 8 briggs. carrying is guns;
schooner, carrying 3 guns; 8 screw steam.
ers of the first class, carrying 26s guns;
Of the second class, carrying SO guns; 2 ol
the third class, carrying II guns; side whee
steamers Of the first class, carrying "a guns
of the second class, carrying 6 guns; 2 o.
the third class, carrying guns-making .