Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-03-07
Economy.

GtVhVAhJs
Five years ago the annual cost of maintaining
our national government was about eighty mil
lions Of dollars. AT that time our State govern
nent cost the people about one hundred and
sixty thousand dollars year, or sixteen cents On
a dollar of the grand lis.. Now the Federal
Government is spending one thousand millions
year, and this year the expenses OF this State Will
probably reach two millions Of dollars. All OF
this expenditure that is necessary ia the prOseca'
tiea Of the war the people cheerfully approve
and pay without grudgiug. They KNOX, al'o that
they are paying considerable for what is almoH
necessarily wasted in a war Of such gigantic pFp-
portions, and they only ask and are anxious that
the treasure 80 lavishly gVea 10 the government
.hall not be squandered through the csrelessne's,
the connivance, or the extravaganza Of officials
who are charged with the Management of affairs,
and the use Of the funds given for tho public ben
EFT.
1t requires, however, the highest degrees oil
integrity, the mos, constant sef-control and the
most rigid economy, on the part of those charged
with any discretion in disbursing public monies,
to remain entirely faithful to their trust, and not
become recklemy prodigsl, or degenerate into
corrupt extravaganza. Especially is this true
now, when the coat OF government so far exceeds
the amount passing through official hands in
times Of peace. When this Stale is expanding
two millions Of dollars year, an item OF ten
| thousand, or even a hundred thousand dollars,
may relatively seem to be a email matter. 1t
requires but the change Of one figure in the sum
fetal. and it viii scarcely make an appreciate
difference In the taxes. And there 10, therefore,
except in the minds OF the most rigid economists,
constant tendency to suffer expenditures TO be
larger than necessary, to become less strict 10
reckoning with creditors and debtors, and to
gradually permit the habits Of the prodigal and
the spendthrif. to rule in appropriations and dis
burssments, when, in fact, the need OF economy
is greater than ever before. We saw frequent
evidences OF this disposition during the session q
our Leg'lature last f.lI. Propositions were
brought before tho Legislature, seriously urged
and we're pressed BY Official influence outside
which, Il passed, would have added several hun
bred thousand dollars to the current expenses
without bsnedting the State in any respect AND
we are expecting the exhibit OF the expenses OIL
the State for this year, when it s made nexl
October, will presen! somewhat startling array
Of figures, and an aggregate much larger than
there is any need Of. five are disappointed in
this respect, we shall DO very happy to aoknowl-
edge IL We only now predict th,! this will be the
probable exhibit.
There is only one efficaciou, remedy for this
evil, and that is for the peopls to signify thsiI
purpose Of keeping the expenses Of the State al
the lowest limit consistent with safety and honor
The money paid to soldiers and their families il
righteOusly expended, and must be continued
while the war lasts. The other expenses Of the
State should be brought back at the earliest
moment to the old figures. The ne ;sssary burden;
Of the war are heavy enough, and no unnecessary
ones should DO suffered 10 run on unchecked
And the remedy cau only be applied by the people
through their representatives. Unlinitsd dis
erection in expendius the public money shosld mol
be lett in the hand. Of any men or any officials
1t is unsafe anywhere, no matter va, tho official
or who tbs man may be. Il is tho duty d lie
Legislature to say, IN advance, what money shall
be expended, and where and how and s oad
at the earliest opportunity insist on this prer;ga-
tive, aud not, BY & general power OF atto,ney
make it over T. any man or arg So. Of msl.
We sbsii have occasion to reeur 20 tnis subject
again before Ious. And we nope gar readers
will have the subj'o, Of taxes SO forcioly brought
to their minds at the March meetings, tais week
n to make them rssov. that, SO far as they car
accomplish it, hencsforih, ia town, state and IA
ton, economy ia public expenditures shall se rg.
idly and strictly adhered to.