The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-05
THE AMERICAN DEBT.
Can Congress Measure tho Public Expendi-
turo-DO Members Comprehend Finances

Can Congress Measure tho Public Expendi-
ture-DO Members Comprehend Finsnccf
from the London Times May PSI
The vigor which democratic constitution OF society
gives to nation In great war has been the theme Of
has been closed To certain extent the euiogy just
for undoubtedly the freedom of each the action
10 the national win England cavried on q great war
against the French republic and empire under arsto
cratic institutions, and. considering the duration OF the
struggle she made certainly greater efforts than the
North called upon to make in lighting the south.
But 1t may have been that IL our whole population
had read and thought and voted, the national
energy would have been still more conspcHuusiy
displayed. In maintaining the struggle against the
Confederates aud IN providing pccuniary for t.
Congress showed itself the At representative OF great
people. went by large majority with President Lin
coin to whose single determination the war ana its sui
cess we're chiefly due; and 1t never swerved from ts
allegiance until the task u set before itsef had been
achieved. But while we must readily admit the pa.
the fidelity with which II maintains all the prins-
ciples OF the country, yet we may he allowed TO
faulty tendency which seems to distinguish 1t at the
present time Congress- in the face Of urgent neces-
sy did not hesitate to impose heavy taxation, and the
American people bore II with readiness which surprised
their own statesmen. Money could only be had for
the late by system OF imposs which should touch
tho citizen in every relation Of life and this was de-
vlsed nth the relentless ingenuity OF Pitt himself Fof
several years America has been the most highly taxed
country Ia world Not even the Englishman the
Dutchman is SO constantly encoun cred By taxation in
every act Of hen eating and drinking In buying and
selling, In work and amnsements the citzcns Of tho
republic Where local taxation u incrcascd ~ ssGL
Offences as ia New York and other srca; cities, the
mail brings the complaints OF tho American press
this subject The wrappers tell us Of the suengs "
cts Of poor at higher wages than given
in the states at former period OF extortonate house
rent q famine prices for food; IN short they drss
tends 70 sock his fortune the Atlantic cities pause ~
divert his course to some other region IN
In order 70 accomplish this financial deliverance NY
people have assented 10 taxation time Of pe11
The mposts are higher than In country OF Kuro(
lie and the elasticity Of the national spirit they ~
long since have seriously injured the commerce OF e
nation Yet with all these SACRIFICES s now said thaf
the national debt OF America is not decreasing. The
statement the month Of May shows that instead Of
decrease Of 81 900 600 expected hero has boon
is said tina. the day OF redemption Of the United
States debt has passed by for the present, and
will lind any surplus revenue 10 devote 10 the prsf
pose. The Of this deficiency, rather Of this
pst IL attributed 10 Inc extravaganza Of Cong Ca
bo1y which, though u has no doab rendered essential
an exiravsssnce and recklessness OF consequences
which will greatly detract from any merits u may have
letter spoke Of the vast sums which this Congress has
dissipated. His remarks only confirm what may
be read in the american prsss Of the in Liabilities
Some people talk Of jobbcry and corruption but these
phrases are 80 freely used IN America tina. We
are supported by adequate proof But what can
hardly be doubted is that this gathering of from al
parts II e oovy icifhout much knosciedge If each other
much erperence Of public finance, mt careful
0Qeys Of the public purse though they may DO excellent
for pronouncing and maintaining the national will 10
q time Of danger The Thirty ninth Congress appears to
have given money TO every who asked for it. The
Freedmen's Bureau the Stale war Claims the navy tho
banks and other lighteners Of the public purse
all listened TO and all satisfied But the history Of
the :" extra bounty" IL the most remarkable. II was
enacted by the federal Legislature that bounties
should be given TO the soldiers Ia the late pro-
poroned 70 their terms Of service, wounds and also
10 their failure Of tho receipt Of bountes previously
by the government the local authorities" IL
would be hard and uDgacious TO speak against the prn
cplc Of this eaut which doubt In many cases will
national gratitude to brave men, but the scale which
the argess has been made not consistent with prudent
finance 1T IL generally cstinated.' says
pondcnt that from 700 900 900 600 soldiers their
heirs entitled to these extra bountes, and
that the amount TO be gwen 70 each VIII average
$500 = Such expenditure may be justified ns far
Congress Is concerned, " u be shown TO have
incurred Difference 10 the plainly expressed will
OF the nation But this denied and the act Is harsbly
judged by part least, of the public which declares
that Congress has acted with Capable prodgay 10 In
vitipg vast number OF men, most OF whom we're not
In want 10 receive present Of public money.
The traditions OF our Parliament business
ike. The House OF Commons has always been the
guardian OF the public purse and the vIgant super
visor of the ministers who have ssats In H. To the
situation Of Congress and n IT, character much less
practical and administrative body than the House OF
Commons, may be ascrbcd it's inability duly to measure
and control the public expenditure