The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-03-01
AN NIQUITOUs MEASURE.

Washington has just passeda bill, which
for injustice and impudence is conspic-
uous even among the extraordinary
acts of that remarkable body. It pur-
ports to be an "Act for the Equaliza-
ton of Bounties, and awards to every
soldier. in the recent war bounty of
500 per annum for his entire term of
service; but deducts from this allow
ance all 6o,uaties, Government, State or
local, which the soldier has received, or
is bv law entitled to receive As
every soldier from Pennsylvania has
received, or is by law entitled to re-
ceive, in Government, State or local
bounties, more than this 800 per an
mum, the people of this State can new
er derive particle of benefit from this
measure. Such is also the case with
New York, New England and other
States, whose people taxed themselves
literally to encourage volunteering for
the war. But the Representatives of
the Western States, whose people con-
tributed nothing in the shape of State
or local bounties, propose by this bill to
thrust their arms into the National
Treasury, and take out of the common
fund as much as will equalize the boun-
ties of their their troops with those of
the States which paid their soldiers out
Of their own purses. In short, thepeo-
pie of Pennsylvania, after having been
taxed to pay the whole of the bounties
of their own soldiers, are nowto be tax
ed again to pay part of the bounties of
the soldiers of other States.
There is too much reason to fear that
this bill, which has passed the House of
Representatives will also pass the Sen
ate and become law. The same nu-
merical preponderence of the West
which controls the House exists in the
Senate. And neither body is infiuen-
ced by any regard for principle or right
in this or any other measure; but the
portions that form the majority in both
are intent only upon securing the great
est possible pecuniary benefit, with the
least possible Inconvenience or burthen
to themselves and their constituents.
1t is supposed, in well informed
quarters, that this act will take up
wards of $4OO,OOO,OOO from the Nation
al Treasury; and as the Secretary esti-
mates the expenditures under the boun-
ty law of the last session at $84, ,000, 900,
it will be seen that $500,000, 900 are a.
bout to be added to the National debt.
The interest Of this amount, $30,000,-
600, must be annually extracted, in the
shape of taxes, from the pockets of the
people. The simple statement of this
fact shows how little prospect there is
of any permanent reduction, and how
great the prospect is of permanent in
crease in Federal taxation.
This unjust and eXtravagant legisla-
tion of Congress is also conclusive of
another fact, which should be borne in
mind by the people. While it contin-
ues, there can be no reduction of the
National Debt, no contraction of the
currency, no decline in prices and no
approach towards specie payments. 1t
is beyond the power of the Secretary
of the Treasury or any other financier
to withdraw four millions of legal ten
der notes per month, when all the cur
rency he can collect will not suffice to
meet the interest on the debt and the
appropriations of an extravagant and
reckless Congress. There is far greater
prospect of an increase of currency,
and increased initiation of prices, from
sheer necessity, to answer these exorbi-
tant drafts upon the National Treasury.
We therefore warn our readers to dis
card the delusive hope of anyreduction
in the burthens and taxation or the eX-
penses of living, so long as Radical
Congress rules the country; but rather
to prepare themselves for the good
time coming, when the printing press
must again be set in motion to manu-
iacture money for the current expenses
of Government.-Lda L2tetlige1a-
Ger.