Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-12-10

4 Ar with Gfeox Bntatvs the 0oxicau Wwss
Ind the var Of the Rebellion. In 1914. the
annual expenses ineidsat "a the war Of
Isle. rsaclssd their highest amount, about
lsi 900, 600. while our population slightly
px,rcied 1000, 600. -showing an expendi-
lure ~ only o. 90 ssv s,pifs. In isie.
expenditures growing cut " the war with |
Mexico, reached e55. 600. 900. and the
population vas about 81 ,O00, 5000, giving |
ouiy esto yx~ cspsss Tor the war expenses
NJ that wear. In 1895, the expenditures |
rallied Coz by che Rebellion reached the
vast amount Of oi,aS0,000.000: which,
compared with population Of 100000,
cives tss 90 ps- capita.
From the 4th dag Of March. 1889, to the
"a dsy Of June, 1891, the entire espendi-
surts OF the government were 81, 100. OOO-
OOO. During tnst period. We were engaged
10 wars with Great Britain and MEXICO.
end we're involved in hostilities With pow.
srful lsdian tribe. Lopisiass vs. purchas-
"a from frssce, Of . cost Of 81, ZOO, 600.
Florida IVES sold 10 ~ By spaas. fes o.
O0o, 90. California was acquiNd from
M xieo for els, 900 900; aaA he territory
al New nexro ~as obtained from Texss
for The ssn. q 4, O0O, 900. EARLY 10 1851 the
ear OF the Sebellion commeaced and,
from the 6rst of July of that year to the
s0th day. Of June, 1865, the public
expenditures reached the eDor NOUS aggre-
gate OF "a, 800. OOO,O 900. Three years Of
peace have iotervened. and, during that
time, tue disbursements Of the govern
ment have successfully been $3.50 ,OO0. goo.
e246 ,OOO, 900, and sass 100000 Adding
20 these an. cunts the tS72. 100000 esu-
mated - necessary for the fiscal year end
iue ON the 81 day of June, 1869, We OBJ
salns total expenditure of $500. 00O,-
600 dsrisg The four years inmediately
succeeding the war. or nearly - much -
vas e. psnded during the seventy years
that preceded the rebellion, md which
embraces the exiraofdiaary expsnditur.s
dready named.
Thess startling facts clearly illustrate
The necessity Of sssssnchmsnt in oil
bsAnchss Of The public servics. Abuses
which were tolesable during the var, for
the preservation Of the Daaion. will not
b endured BY the people now that pro-
found peace prevails.
The receipts nom the internal revenue
and customs have during the pact thres
years. graduAlly diminished, and the con-
tiuuapce OF useless ard e1trAvagant ex-
pondiAuees will involve 10 In . national
bankruptcy, Or elee make inevitable On
i6crease Of ta1s already TOO enormous,
asd, In many sespectA odious, On
accuunt of their iaQuisisorial
snaracess. Ooo handred million
aaanally ars expended for the mili-
tary force, large portion Of which 10 EN-.
ployed in tho execution Of laws both un-
neeeaars aud unoonoeitutlonal. One hun
dred and fifty millions are required each
year to pay the interest on the public
debt. A army Of tax -gatherers impov-
erishes the nation; and public agents,
placed by Congress beyond tho CONTROL Of
the Executive, divert from their Legitimate
purposes large sumo Of money which they
collect from the people in the name OF
the Government. Judicious legislation
| and prudent economy alone can remedy
these defects, and avert the evils which, II
suffered TO exist, cannot fail to diminish
confidence in the public councils, and
weaken the attachment and respect of the
people toward their political institutions.
Without proper care, the small balance
which it 10 estimated will remain in the
Treasury at the closs Of the present fiscal
year will not be realized, and additioal
millions will bs added to . debt which 10
now enumerated by billions.
1t is shown, by the able and comprs
hensivc report Of the Secretary of the
Treasury, that the receipts for the fiscal
year ending July 80, 1868, were &4O5,-
| $50, S0S.03 and that the expenditures for
she same period were $377.340,2S --leav.
ing in the treasury . surpius Ut &26, 1871.
97S II 10 estimated that sne receipts dur.
ing the present fiscal year, ending June
80, 1859, will no $141 ,392, 1868, and the ex
penditures $3.50. 1862 470, showing email
balance OF $S,24O.3oS IN favor Of the Gov
vernment. For the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1870, 1t is estimated that the re.
ceipts will amount to &327 OOO. 900, and the
expenditures to $3O3. 900 0O.-leaving a.
estimated surplus Of ga 100000.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
II seems proper, in this connection, to
| make brief reference to our public in.
dsbtedness, which has accumulated with
such alarming rsrdity and assumed such
colossal proportions. In 1879, when the
government commenced operations under
the Federal Constitution, it was burdened
with an Indebtedness Of $75.OO0.O0
created during the war Of the Revolution
This amount had been reduced to $45. 600,
| 600, whom, in 1912. war was declared
against Great Britain. The three years
struggle that followed largely increased
the national obligations, and in 1916. they
had attained the sum of $l27.0OO.0OO
Wise and economical legislation, however
enabled the government to pay the entir,
amount within period Of twenty years
and the extinguishment of tho nations
debt fille: tho land with rejoicing. ant
was one of the great events Of Presiden
Jsckenns administration. After its re
demption, . large fund remained in tn
treasury, which was deposited for saf,
keeping with the several states, on condi
ton that it should DO returned when re
quired by the public wants. In 1649-th'
| year after the termination of IN expsnsiv,
war with Mexico,-we found ourselves in
| volvsd in debt Of 464, 600, 900; and thi,
was the amount owed by the government
in 1860, Just prior TO the outbreak Of TIN
Rebellion. In the spring Of 1851, our civi
war commenced. Each year Of its con
the debt; and when. In the spfisg Of 1865
the nation successfully emerged from tht
copfict, the obligations Of tho government
hal reached the immense sum Of q. o73,
092, 900. The Secretary of the Treasury
shows that on The lot dsy of November
1887. this amount had been reduced L
t2,49l, 504, 45O; but a. same time, hi,
report txhibits an increase during the ,as
year of eS5. 625, 1902; for The debt on th,
1st day If November last, is stated to havs
been 32,S27. 129. $50. II, 10 estimated By
tho Secretary that the returns for the pas
month will add TO our liabilities the fur
Their sem Of al, 000, U00-maklng . tota
increase, during. thirteen months, o.
e46, 100000.
In my meessgs to Congress of Dec 4
1865, It WAS sugges'ed that . policy
should b. devised which without beine
oppressive to the people, would ct oncl
begin to effect . reduction Of the debt
end il persisted in, discharge it fully with
in definite number of years. The Secre
tary of the Treasury forcibly recommend
| legislatioa Of tAis cllAssctef, end Justly
urges that, the longer it 10 delayed, the
more difficult mutt become its accomplish.
ment. We should follow the wise prece
dents established in 1889 and 1916, and
without further delay. make provision fol-
the payment Of our obligations At - early
a period ~ may be practicable. The
fruits Of their labor ahould be enjoyed BY
citizens, rather than used to build up and
ais. anna rs~nls =. - ~s~p "A - sA.e