The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-26
Ec0U0mv.

The most important duty before the administration
at Washington at this time is that Of promoting econ
omy in the public expenditures. 1t is OF far greater
importance than the suffrage question: indeed, it is
more important than reconstruction itself. The i'm
mediate return to most rigid economy is absolutely
essential 10 the preservation of the government
The war being there is Justification for the
lavish expenditure which has been necessary during
the last four years There is justification for add
ing another dollar to the public debt which should be
fully balanced at the close of the fiscal year. the
Goth of the present month. Beyond that date the ex-
pcndture OF the government should be brought down
to the actual revenue.
The vast number Of generals and all other officers
Of all grades, not belonging to the regular army and
without commands should be- with their Stats,
tered out of the service and the immense property of
the United States included in teams, carriages and
stores sold and disposed of without delay The daily
Of these useless parts of the service is i'm
mense; and as they are no longer needed, let them
cease TO be charge upon the public treasury. We
have seen it estimated that there are three hundred
thousand mules and horses belonging TO the govern
mcnt over and above what now needed for the
service these require the services OF army Of
STEERS and other persons, and all of immense cost
too immense to be tolerated moment after they have
ceased to be needed Let this vast drain upon the
public treasury be discontinued.
The navy, too, might to great extent, be disman-
tied. Il is an immense expense, and is almost wholly
useless In of foreign within the next five
years, an entire new navy could be built rapidly aud
with the improvements suggested by the experience
Of the past at less expense than would be incurred in
keeping up the present establishment large portion
OF which can never be used again. Millions per week
may be saved by an immediate reduction of the navy
20 an establishment sufficient for the present wants Of
he country.
The public debt is as large as the people have any
desire it should be. 1t is their purpose to paw that
debt principal and interest," the last farthng and it
because they do intend to pay it, that they iusist
hat it shall not be needlesSly increased or that the
shah be directed from its legitimate ends to
support and maintain in office whose business has
ong since terminated. The business Of government
not to furnish men with support at the public ex
lense; and the people henceforth will pay their taxes
meet the interest on the public debt keep up the
financial credit Of the nation, and to enable the
national treasury to squander millions every day to
give nominal employment to hosts of men whose ser
ices are no longer required.
There is nothing 50 Just or honorable in individuals
md in governments as that of paying their debts
When in debt every dollar reckessly or useiessy ex-
pended, is OF injustice if of fraud upon the
reditor The debt of the United States is the debt of
he people, it is the pecuniary Of the nations de-
Verence it is the price be paid for the preservation
Of our national liberties 1t is a sacred debt; one
which every man in the land feels personal obga-
ion to pay TO the extent of his means. 1t is to lie
paid by taxation upon the peoples land upon their
arnngs and upon their productions. 1t is to be paid
by tax upon what they eat, drink, wear and nhabt
The tax falls upon them at every step and turn
hey bear this cheeriuy, and will do SO to the end
yut they demand, they have right to demand that
his taxation should be applied proper and necessary
ses, and that not dollar of it shall be expended
hat might be saved.
Economy is demanded by justice by expediency
nd by every consideration for the present and future
yeare Of the country. Taxation is hight is un-
nrecedently enormous. The time will come when the
urces of Labor aud of products will decrease and
hen the taxes, which are accounted heavy, will
&c regarded as oppressive. They cannot, under such
circumstances be increased yet the debt and its
uual interest will remain the same. Economy now,
nay prevent trouble and discomfort and general com
pluint hereafter. Now is the time to economize-
Now when salaries high, every useless office
holder discharged is considerable saving; and when
these ofice-hoders who may be discharged without
material injury to the service, numbered by the
hundred thousand then their discharge now will be
irritable instance of practical economy.
With peace, let return, far as is practicable,
md without unnecessary delay, to the financial policy
If peace Let Us have all the revenue needed for the
public expenditures but let US have these expendi-
ures reduced to the lowest possible consistent
With a wise and safe administration of the government
Economy in our public expenditures will do more to
levate permanently national credit than will anv
a..gr policy sha. G"n Ga .Mia4.