Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-12-10

congress. Compared with the growth OF
our population the public expenditures
have reached an amount unprecedented III
our history.
The population of the United States in
1870 was nearly four millions. the people
increasing each decade about 80 per cent.
IL reached, in 1S60 thirty-On millions, an
increase of seven hundred per cent. on the
population in 1890. In 1859 it is estimated
it VIII reach thirty-eight millions, or an
increase of S6s per cent. in 70 years. The
annual expenditures of the Federal Gov
ernment in 1871, were four million two
hundred thousand dollars; in 1920, eighteen
million two hundred thousand dollars; in
lSoO, forty-one millions; in 1860, sixty
three millions; in 1865, nearly thirteen
hundred millions; and in 1869, it is esti-
mated by the Secretary of the Treasury,
In his last annual report. that they will be
three hundred and seventy two millions.
BY comparing the public disbursements
OF 1863, as estimated, with those OF 1871, il
will be seen that the increase of expendi-
lures since the beginning of the Govern
ment has been eight thousand six hundred
and eighteen per centum, while the in
crease of the population for the same Pc
riod was only eight hundred and sixty
eight per centum. Again, the expenses OF
the Government in 1860, the year of peace
Immediately preceding the war. were on
'ly slxty-three millions, while in 1863, the
year OF peace three years after the war, it
ls estimated they will be three hundred
and seventy-two millions, an increase OF
four hundred and eighty-nine per centum,
while the increase of population was only
twenty-one per centum for the same Pc
riod. - .
The statistics further show that in 1871
the annual national expenses, compared
with the population, were little more
than one dollar per capita, and in 1850, but
two dollars per capita, while in 1869 they
Will reach the eXtravagant sum of nine
dollars ond seventy EIGHT cents per capita.
1t will be observed that all of these state
ments exhibit the disbursements of peace
periods. 1t may therefore be intesting to
compare the expenditures of the three war
periods, the war with Great Britain, the
Mexicanwar and the war of the Rebellion,
In nlSl4 the annual expenses incident TO the
war of 1912 reached their highest amount,
about thirty -one millions, while our popu-
lation slightly exceeded eight millions,
showing an expenditure of only three dol
lars and eighty cents per capita. In lS47
the expenditures growing out of the war
with Mexico reached fitty-five millions,
and the population about twenty-one mil
lions, giving only two dollars and sixty
that year. In 1865 the expenditures called
Tor by the Rebellion, reached the vast
ot twelve hundred and ninety mill
lions. which, compared with population
of thirty-four millions, gives thirty y-eight
dollars and twenty cents per capita.
From the 4th day of March, 1889, to the
Both of June, 1861, the entire expenditures
of the Government were seventeen hundred
millions of dollars. During that period
we were engaged In wars with Great Brit
ain and Mexico, and were involved in hos
tility with hostile 1ndian tribes. Louisiana
was purchased from France at a cost of
fifteen millions of dollars. Florida was
ceeded to us by Spain for five millions. Cali
fornia was acquired from Mtxico for fifteen
millions, and the territory OF New Mexico
was obtained from Texas for the sum OF
ten millions. sl.af- ,-.f ,.,...it i..,.
Early in 1861 the war of the rebellion
and from the first of July of
that year. to the 30th of June, 1865, the
public expenditures reached the enormous
aggregate of thirty -three hundred million.
Three years of peace have interviewed, and
during that time the disbursements of the
Government have successfully been five
hundred and twenty millions, three eehundred
and forty-six millions, and three hundred
and ninety-three millions. Adding to
these amounts three hundred and seventy
two millions, estimated as necessary for
the fiscal year ending the Both of June,
teen hundred millions of dollars during
the four years Immediately succeeding the
war, or nearly as much as was expended
turing the seventy-two years that pre-
ceded the rebellion, and embraced the eX-
expenditures already named.
These startling facts clearly illustrate the
necessity of retrer chment in all branches
If the public service. Abuses which were
during the war for the preserya-
Of fIa x.t;ll ho. d,,r rod hxy
he people, now that profound peace pre-
rails. The receipts from internal revenue
md customs have, during the past three
'ears, gradually diminished, and the con-
inuance of useless and eXtravagant' eX-
will involve us in national bank
uptcy, or else make inevitable an increase
# taxes already too onerous, and in many
espects obnoxious on account of their In
Iuisitorial character. One hundred mil
ions annually are expended for the mill
ary force, a large portion of which is en-
,loyed in the execution of laws both ,un-
necessary and unconstitutional. One hun
lred and fifty millions are required each
ear to pay the interest on the public debt.
The, army of tax gatherers impoverishes
he nation, and public agents, placed by
Congress eyond the control of the Exec
tive, divert from their legitimate purposes
arge sums of money which they collect
rom the people in the name of the Govern
nent. Judicious legislation and prudent
economy can alone remedy defects and
vert evils which, if suffered to exist, cam
lot fail to diminish confidence in the pub
ic councils and weaken the attachment
md respect of the people towards their
,oliti :al institutions. f2ia! i "a.
Without proper care, the small balances
which it is estimated will remain in the
reasury at the close of the present fiscal
'ear, will not be realized, and additional
Millions will be added to debt which is
low enumerated by billions. .jl-' ez.s.
It is shown by the able and comprehen-
i've report of the Secretary of the Treas
Try that the receipts for the fiscal year
nd that the expenditures for the same
'eriod were S377, ,3402S4, leaving in the |
reasury surplus of $2S 297,79S. 1t is es-
mated that the receipts during the present
scal year. ending June 30th, 1869, will
e .$34l 1872, ,S6S, and the expenditures
1885,, ,152,470 showing a 9 small bal
nee. OF $5,240,39S in favor OF the
For the fiscal year end
ag June Both, 1870, 1t is estimatnd that the |
eceipts will amount to 1897. 900, 600, and |
he expenditures to 1903, 100000 leaving an |
stimated surplus of $24,000,000. 4
1t becomes proper in this connection to
lebtedness, which has accumulated with |
uch alarming rapidity and assumed such
olossal proportions. In 1889, when the
commenced operations under
he Federal Constitution, it was burdened |
With an indebtedness of seventy-five mill
ions of dollars, created during the war of |
be revolution. This amount had been re-
uced to forty-five millions OF dollars when
n 1872 war was declared against Great |
Britain. The three years struggle that fol- |
owed largely increased the national obli-
ations, and in 1916 they had attained the |
um OF one hundred and twenty-seven mill |
ions. Wise and economical legislation,
owever, enabled the Government to pay I
he entire amount within a period of TWEEN |
Jational debt filed the land with rejoicing
nd was one of the great events OF Presi-
ent Jackson's Administration. After its
exemption large fund remained in