The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-07-25
Tho Cost Of Ha1i9alism.

party in power. a resolution, adopted
by the Senate of the United States on
the 3l inst, calling upon the Presdcn
among the other items Of information,
to communicate to that body whether
the amount OF money hitherto appro-
pratcd for carrying out the several re-
construction acts will be sufficient for
that purpose, has drawn from the Exc.
cutive some startling facts with refer.
cnce TO this question. The President
says :" 1t will be seen from the report
of the Secretary of War that the appro-
priaGon or S500,000, made in the act
approved March b, 1867, for the pur-
pose of carrying into effect the acts to
provide for the more efficient govern.
mant of the reeheil SS..ltes, has ALREADY
been expended by the commanders Of
the several military districts, and that
in addition the sum Of 81 ,6f5 III is re-
quired for present purposes"
This is a heavy expenditure. On the
seth of March, 1867, half million of
dollars was appropriated. That large
sum was placed at the service Of the
commar dcrs of the several military dis.
tricts into which the Southern States
have been converted by the Radical
party. These officers were the dis.
bursting agents of the appropriation.
The civil authorities had no control in
the matter. In less than four months
that appropriation Was exhausted, and
a rcquisition made for over million
and half Of dollars for present pur
poses, to cover liabilities already con-
tracted by the officers who have charge
of the several military districts. In
what manner and for what specific
objects all this money has been expen-
ded is not stated in detail, but the mere
facts arc sufficient to let the country
know how costly matter it is to de-
stroy States and erect a military des'
potism in their places.
But the expenditures do not stop
with those stated above. The proba-
bic expense of carrying into full effect
the two acts of March last, and the bill
passed during the present session Of
Congress, must be added to the sum
total of cost. When that is done II
is believed" so the President declares
on the authority of those having charge
of this matter of reconstruction, " that
in addition to the two millions already
expended or estimated for, the sun
: which will be required for the purpose
r would not be less than fourteen mil
r lions Of dollars" And this, it must b'
borne in mind, is only declared suffi
cient to put into effect the machiner,
r OF the acts of March last, and that pass
e ed by the Congress in session. IF sup
t Elemental or explanatory bills arr
=, passed, if more Offices are created ant
4 a greater number of officers appointed
0 as Il matter of course, the expenses vii
i be proportionatcly augmented. AM
= what guarantee is there that the presen
act is a inality No one of the leader
C of the party in power has assumed tha
l, position. The Southern States are no'
c destroyed and ruled by military power
: and they will be kept in that condition
l. so long as such action is necessary t
It preserve the dominant and ruling pc
y sition of the Radical party. The cost
+, a minor consideration so far as the fac
e ton that rules the country is concerned
'r In estimating the cost of this Radici
n plot against the Republic, the loss o
ID trade, commerce, and products, must b
added to the disbursements made b
: commanders under the different mill
lc tary reconstruction acts. But tor tn
IS efforts of the party in power, the SOutl
OF ern States would now be enjoying the
&c old relations with the Federal COVER
C mont, and peace, concord and amt
re would reign in all parts Of that impor
le ant section of the Union. This state I
OF affails would have induced capitals
le to invest their funds in the Soutl
at Larger crops of cotton, sugar, tobacC
ii and rice would have followed such st
III mulative action, and with something
to sell the Southern people could an
v" would become large buyers. In tn
On manner the whole country would hay
an been made brisk and lemunerative
Is receipts from the South, instead Of b
ms ing taxed and depressed by exactiol
ae made necessary in order to carry o
to- the despotic policy and plans OF Il
n Radical party.
or This is practical way of looking
ist the question Of reconstruction. The b
ws siness men can see through this NJ
w. dium what it is costing them to suppC
Iu- Stevens and Sherman, to keep t.
te, States out of the Union, to el ;vate mi
ry tary commanders over civil officers, al
eW to PROSTATE the material, interests OF
section, rich in all those products viii
mt enter into the trade, commerce, ihan
cal factures and wealth Of the nation. Il
IN; report submitted to Congress by t
gal President opens up this whole questiC
by and the active men of the country, tho
he interested in its progress and develC
ers ment, cannot fail to sec that they {
1t paying too dearly for Radical rule.