Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-12-11

of the three war periods, the war with
Great Britain, the Mexican war, and
the war of the rebellion. In 1914, the an
nual expense incident to the war of 1912
reached their highest amount about
$31, ,000, 900, while our population slightly
exceeded S,000,000,-showing an expen.
diture Of only $3.50 per capita. In ts4S,
expenditures growing out of the war with
Mexico, reached S55,0OO,000, and the
population was about 81 100000, giving
only 81 80 per c1pitd for the war expenses
of that year In 1865, the expenditures
called for by the rebellion reached the
vast amount of $1,290,0O0,000; which,
compared with population Of $4,000
600, gives $SS 20 per capita.
From the 4th day of March, 1889, TO the
Sd day of June, 1881, the entire e1pendi-
.ture Of the Government were $1,100 000,-
600. During that period, we were engaged
in war with Great Britain and Mexico, and
were involved in hostilities with powerful
Indian tribes Louisiana was purchased
from France, at a cost of $15,000,000
Florida was sold to us by Spain, for
$6,0OO,O0O. California was acquired from
Mexico for $15,000,00 and the territory
of New Mexico was obtained from Texas
for the sum of $10,000,000. Early in 1861
rtlAS WdA vi NnC anu
from the first of July of that year to the
Both day of June, 1865, the public
expenditures reached the enormous ag-
gregate of $3,S0O,OOOOOO. Three years
of peace have intervened, and, dur
ing that time, the disbursements
of the Government have successfully,
been $500, 100000, $4,000, 900 and $393,.
100000. Adding to these amounts the
$37s, 100000 estimated as necessary for
the fiscal year ending on the 80 day of
June, 1869, we obtain q total expenditure
of 81 800 600 during the four years
Immediately succeeding the war or near.
ly as much as was expended during the
seventy years that preceded the rebellion,
and which embraces the extraordinary
expenditures already named.
These startling facts clearly illustrate
the necessity of retrenchment in all
branches Of the public service. Abuses
which were tolerable during the war, for
the preservation of the nation, will not
be endured by the people now that pro-
found peace prevails.
= The receipts from the internal revenue
and customs have, during the past three
years, gradually diminished, and the con-
tinuance of useless and extravagant ex-
penditures will involve US in national
bankruptcy, or else make inevi-
table an increase of taxes already
too enormous, and, in many re-
spects, odious, on account of their
iuquisitorial character. One hundred mil
lions annually are expended for the mill
tary force, a large portion of which is en-
ployed in the execution of laws both un.
necessary and unconstitutional. One hun.
dred and fifty millions are required each
year to pay the interest on the public
debt. An army of tax-gatherers impav-
erishes the nation and public agents,
placed by Congress beyond the control OF
the Executive, divert from their legiti.
mate purposes large sums of money which
they collect from the people in the name
OF the Government. Judicious legislation
and prudent economy can alone remedy
these defects, and avert the evils which, il
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 is estimated will remain in the
Treasury at the close of the present fiscal
year will not be realized, and additional
millions will be added to debt which is
now enumerated by billions
1t is shown by the able and comprehen-
sive report of the Secretary of the Tresu-
ry, that the receipts for the fiscal year end
ing July 80, 1868, were $405, ,636, ,SO9 03,
and that the expenditures for the same
period were 1871, $40, ,2S4-leaving in the
Treasury surplus Of $2S, ,797, ,97S. 1t is
estimated that the receipts during the
present fiscal year, ending June 80 1869,
will be $341 1892, 1868, and the expenditures
1896, 152, ,470, showing small balance of
$5.240,398 in favor of the Government.
For the fiscal year ending June 80, 1870,
1t is estimated that the receipts will
amount to $685., 100000, and the expendi-
lures to $303 900, ,000-leaving an estimat.
ed surplus of $24 100000
1t seems proper, in this connection, to
make brief reference to our public in
debtedMess, which has accumulated with
such alarming rapidity and assumed such
colossal proportions. In 1910, when the
Government commenced operations under
the Federal Constitution, it was burdened
with an Indebtedness Of $75, 900, 900, Great
ed during the war of the revolution. This
amount had been reduced to $45 900 600,
when, 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 $127, 200, 900.
Wise and economical legislation, how
ever, enabled the Government to
pay the entire amount within a
period of twenty years, and the
extinguishment of the national debt filed
the land with rejoicing, and was one of
the great events of President Jackson's
After its redemption, A
large fund remained in the treasury, which
was deposited for safe keeping with the
several States, on condition that it should
be returned when required by the public
wants. In 1849-the year after the ter
mination Of an expensive war with Mexi.
found ourselves involved in a debt
of S64, 100000; and this was the amount
owed by the Government in 1860, lust
prior to the outbreak Of the rebellion. In
the spring of 1851, our civil war com.
menced. Each year of its continuance
made an enormous addition to the debt;
and when, in the spring of 1865, the nation
successfully emerged from the conflict, the
obligations of the Government had
reached the immense sum of So 973, ,992,-
909. The Secretary of the Treasury
shows that on the first of November, 1867,
this amount had been reduced to $2,491,-
504, ,450i but at the same time, his report
exhibits an increase during the past year
of $35,625, 102; for the debt on the first
day of November last is stated TO have
been 81, 1877, ,129, ,552 II is estimated by
the Secretary that the returns for the past
month will add to our liabilities the fur.
ther sum Of $1,000, 000-makine a total
increase, during thirteen months, of $46,-
100000.
In nay message to Congress Of Dec. 4,
1865, it was suggested that a policy should
be devised which, without being oppres-
siye TO the people, would at once begin to
enect q reduction Of the debt, and, If per-
sisted in, discharge it fully within def
mite number OF years. The Secretary OF
the Treasury forclbly recommends legisla.
@uon @ ol this character, and Justly urges
tnst, the longer 1t Is delayed, the more
difficult must become it's establishment
We should follow the wise preoeds5ss' I eS a.
tabllshed in 1889 and 1s16, and without
further delay, make provision for the pay.
ment Of our obligations at as early a be
Rod as may be practicable. The fruits of
their labor should be enjoyed. by citiEens,