Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-12-18

S4l ,OOO,0O0 In 1860. 63, ,000, 900; in 1855
nearly 130, 900, 900; in 1869 Il Is esti
mated by the Secretary of the Treas
ury, in his last annual report, tina
there will be S372, 100000.
1t will be seen that the increase O
expenditure since the beginning o
the Government, has been eighi
thousand six hundred and eighteen
per centum, while the increase of tn,
population for the same period was
only eight hundred and sixty-eigbt
per ccntum. Again, the expenses OF
the Government in 1850, the year o'
peace Immediately preceding the
war, were only sixty-one millions,
while In 1860 the year of peace, three
years after the war 1t is estimated they
will be three hundred and seventy.
two millions an increase of four hum
dred and eighty-nine per centum,
for the same period. These statistics
further show that I'm 1871, the annual
national expense compared with the
population were little more than one
dollar per capita, and in 1880 but two
dollars per capita, while in 1868 they
will reach the extravagant sum OF
nine dollars and seventy-eight cents
per capita.
1t will be observed that all Of these
statements are of peace periods. 1t
may therefore be ofinteresft to compare
the expenditures ofthree war periods,
the war with Great Britain, the Mex
lean warand the war of the rebellion.
In 1914 the annual expenditures Incl
dent to the war of 1872, reached their
highest amount, about thirty-one
millions, while our population slight
ly exceed eight millions, showing an
expenditure of only three dollars and
eighty cents per capita.
In 1849 the expenditures growing
out of the war with Mexico, reached
ffty-four millions, and the popula-
tfon about twenty-One millions, CIV
Ing only two dollars and sixty cents
per capita for the war expenses ofthat
year. In 1866 the expenditures called
for by the rebellion reached the vast
amount of twelve hundred and nine
ty millions, which, compared with
the population of thirty-four millions,
gives thirty-eight dollars and twenty
cents per capita. From the fourth
day of March, 17Ss to the S0th of
June, 1861, the entire expenditures of
the Government were seventeen hum
dred millions of dollars.
During that period we were en-
gagged In wars with great Britain and
Mexico, and were involved i'm hostili-
ties with powerful Indian tribes
Louisiana was purchased from France
ut cost of SIS, 0O0, 900. Florida was
ceded to the United States by Spain
for 81, ,0O0, 900, and the territory of New
Mexico was obtained for the sum of
Sl0,0O0,OO0. Early in 1861 the war of
the rebellion commenced, and from
the 1st of July, of that year, to the
3Oth of June, 1858, the public expend-
itures reached the enormous aggre.
gate of $3.50, 900, 900.
Three years of peace have inter-
vened, and during that time the dis
burscments Of the Government has
successively been five hundred and
twenty millions, three hundred and
forty-six millions and three hundred
and seventy-three millions, adding to
these amounts three hundred and
seventy-twO millions estImateu AS
necessary for the fiscal year ending
the 3Oth of June, 1869, we obtain o to-
tai expenditure of sixteen hundred
millions of dollars during the four
years succeeding the war, or nearly as
much as was expended during the
seventy-two years that preceded the
the rebellion, and embracing the eX-
traordinary expenditures already
named. These facts clearly illustrate
the necessity of retrenchment in all
branches of the public service.
Abuses which were tolerated dur
ing the war for the preservation of the
nation will not be endured by the
people now that profound peace pre-
walls. t. $3.50 $3.50 ..
The receipts from internal revenues
and customs during the past three
years gradually diminished, and the
continuance of useless and extrava-
CANT expenditures, will involve us In
National bankruptcy, or else make
inevitable an increase of taxes already
too enormous, or I'm many respects
obnoxious on account Of their charac-
ter. One hundred millions annually
are expended for the military force, q
large portion of which is employed
in the execution of laws both un-
necessary and unconstitutional.
One hundred and fifty millions are
required each year 10 pay the Interest
on the public debt. An army of tax
gatherers impoverishes the nation and
public agents, placed by Congress be-
yond the control Of the Executive,
divert from their legitimate purposes
large sums of money which they col
lect from the people In the name of
the government. Judicious lcglsla-
ton and prudent economy can alone
remedy the defects and avert the evils
which, Ii suffered TO exist, can not
fail To diminish confidence in the
public councils and weaken the con-
fidence and respect of the people to
ward their political institutions.
Without proper care the small bal
ance which It IL estimated viii re-
main In the Treasury ut the close OF
the present fiscal year, will not bo re-
allied, and additional millions will he
added TO debt which is now enu-
meratcd by billions.
1t IL shown by the comprehensive
report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury that the receipts for the fiscal year,
ending June 30, 1868, were S405, 63S,-
0S3, and that the expenditures for the
same period were $377, $40, 2S4, leaving
In the Treasury surplus OF S2s, 297,
798. II IL estimated that the receipts
during the present fiscal year; ending
June 80, 1869, will he $341 ,892, S6S, and
the expenditures 338, l52, ,4T0, showing
small balance of So, 403 0S, In favor
Of the government.
For the fiscal year ending June 80,
1870, IL Is estimated that the receipts
will amount To S327, 100000 and the
expenditures TO 303,000,000, leaving
our estimated surplus S24, ,00O, 600.
IL becomes proper, In this connec-
tion, 10 make a brief reference to our
public Indebtedness, which hns nccu-
mulated with such alarming rapldity,
and assumed such colossal proportions
L.. -nn ...l.- IL a. -. NON,