The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-12-10

increasing each decade about 81 per
cent. It reached in 1860, 81, 600, 900,
an increase of 100 per cent. on the
population in 1890 In 1869 it is es-
timated that it will reach 38,000,0 600,
or an increase of 1853 per cent. in 79
years. The annual expenditures of
the Federal Government in 1871 were
81 100000; in 1920, S18,2O0.00O; in
1850. $41 GOO, 600; in 1860, $63, OO0. 600;
10 1865 nearly 81 800, 600, 900; in 1869,
it is estimated by the Secretary OF
the Treasury, in his last annual
report. it viii be 1872, 600, 600. By
comparing the public disburse-
those of 1871, it will be seen that
the increase of expenditures since
the beginning of the government has
been eight thousand six hundred and
eighteen per centum, while the IL
crease of the population for the same
period was only eight hundred and
sixty eight per centum. Again. the
expenses of the government in 1860.
the year of peace. Immediately pre-
ceding the war, were only sixty three
millions, while in 1869, the year of
peace, three years after the war, it is
estimated they viii be S372, 000, 900,
an increase of four hundred and
eighty-nine per centum, while the in
crease of population was only twenty
one per centum for the same period.
These statistics further show that
in 1871 the annual national expense,
compared with the population. was
/ little more than one dollar per capita,
and in 1860 but two dollars per capita,
while In 1869 it will reach the ex-
travagant sum of nine dollars and
seventy-eight cents per capita. 1t
will be observed that all of these
statements refer to and exhibit the
disbursements of peace periods. 1t
may therefore be of interest to COM
pare the expenditures of the three
war periods - the war with Great
Britain, the Mexican war, and the
war of the rebellion in 1864
= The annual expenses incident to
the war of 1872 reached their highest
anOunt-about thirty-one millions
while our population slightly ex-
an expenditure of over three
dollars aud eighty cents per capita.
In 1847 the expenditures growing
out of the war with Mexico, reached
$54.000,000, and the population about
q, 100000, giving only 50 go per
capita for the war expenses of that
war. In 1865 the expenditures called
for by the rebellion reached the
amount 81, 290, 000,0 900, which. com
pared with a population of 81 600, 900,
gives $38 20 per capita. From the 4th
day of March, 1889, to the Both of
June, 1861, the entire expenditures of
the Government were 81, ZOO, 0O0, 900.
During that time we were engaged in
wars with Great Britain and Mexico,
and we're involved in hostilities with
powerful In dian tribes. Louisiana was
purchased from France at a cost of
fifteen millions of dollars. Florida
was ceded to the United States by
Spain for five millions; California
was acquired from Mexico for fifteen
millions, and the Territory Of New
Mexico was obtained from Texas for
ten millions.
In 1861 the war of the rebellion
commenced, and from the 1st of July
of that year to the Both of June, 1865,
the public expenditures reached the
enormous aggregate of thirty-three
hundred millions. Three years of
peace have interviewed, and during
Government have been. successfully,
100000. Add to these amounts
1917, 100000, estimated as nee
essary for the fiscal year ending
the Both June, 1869. we obtain a total
expenditure Of $1,000, 100000 during
the four years Immediately succeed
ing the war, or nearly as much as was
expended during the seventy-two
years that preceded the rebellion, and
embraced the extraordinary expendi-
lures already named. These facts
clearly show the necessity of retrench-
ment In all branches of the public
service. Abuses which were tolerated
during the war, for the preservation
of. the nation, will not be endured by
the people now that profound peace
prevails. m
The receipts from Internal Rev
enues and Customs have, during
past three years, gradually diminished,
and the continuance of useless and
extravagant expenditures will involve
us in national bankruptcy, or else
make Inevitable an increase of taxes,
already too enormous, and, in many
respects, obnoxious, on account of
their questionable character. One
hundred millions of dollars annually
are expended for the military force,
a large portion of which is employed
in the execution of laws both unnec-
essary and unconstitutional. One
hundred and fifty millions of dollars
are required each year to pay the in
terest on the public debt. An army
of tax gatheyers impoverishes
the nation. and public agents placed
by Congress beyond the control of
the Executive, divert from their
legitimate purposes the large sums of
money which they collect from the
people In the name of the Govern
ment. Expedicious legislation and
prudent economy averts the evil,
which, if suffered to exist, cannot fail
to diminish confidence in public coun-
Gil and weaken the attachment aud
respect of the people toward their po-
litical Institutions. Without proper
care, the small balance which it is es-
tirnated will remain in the Treasury
at the close of the present fiscal
year, will not be realized, and addi-
tional millions will be added to the
debt, which is now enumerated by
billions. 1t is shown by the able and
comprehensive report of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, that the receipts
for the fiscal year ending June Both,
1868, were $405, 638, 083, aud that the
expenditures for the same period were
1877, 340, 294, leaving in the Treas
ury a surplus of s28. 297, 798. It is
estimated that the receipts dur
ing the present fiscal year ending
June Both, 1869, will be $341. :
1872, 1868, and the expenditures 1885,
152, 40, showing a small balance
of So. 240, 1893 in favor of the Govern