Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-10

NiNS SAiN 0iAtl - $3.50 -
years.
The annual expenditures Of the Federal Gov
eminent in 1901 were four millions two hun
drcd thousand dollars in 1920 eighteen mill
lions two hundred thousand dollars in 1850
forty-ono millions in 1860 sixty-threc mil
lions in 1865 nearly thirteen hundred mill
lions in 1869, IL is estimated by the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury in his last annual report,
that they will be three hundred and seventy
two millions
By comparing the public disbursements Of
1869, as estimated, with those Of 1871, will
be seen that the increase Of expenditure
since the beginning of the government has
been eight thousand six hundred and eighteen
per centum, while the increase OF the popula-
ton for the same period was only eight hun
bred and sixty-eight per centum. Again, the
expenses of the government in 1860, the year
Of peace Immediately preceding the war, were
only sixty-three millions while in 1869, the
year of peace three years after the war, It is
estimated they will be three hundred and sew
enty-two millions, an increase Of four hundred
and cghty-nine per centum, while the increase
in population was only twenty-onc per ccntum
for the same period
These statistics further show that in 1871
the annual National expenses compared with
the population, were little more than one dol
lar per capita, and in 1860 but two dollars per
capita, while in 1869 they will reach the ex-
traordinary sum of nine dollars and seventy
eight cents per capita. II will be observed
that all these statements refer TO and exhibit
the disbursements Of peace periods
1t may, therefore, be of interest TO compare
the expenditures of the three war perods-the
war with Great Britain, the Mexican war and
the war Of the rebellion. In 1914 the annual
expenses incident to the war Of 1912 reached
their highest amount, about thirty-one mil
lions, while our population slightly exceeded
eight millions, showing an expenditure OF only
three dollars and eighty cents per capita. In
1877 the expenditures growing out OF the war
with Mexico reached fity-fye Millions and the
population about twenty-one millions, giving
only two dollars and sixty cents per capita for
the war expenses OF that year. In 1865 the
expenditure, called for by the rebellion reached
the vast amount of twelve hundred and nine
t. millions, which, compared with popua-
ton OF thirty-fOur millions, gives thirty-eight
dollars and twenty cents per capita. From the
ith day of March, 1883, 10 the Both Of June,
1861, the entire expenditures Of the Govern
ment were seventeen hundred millions Of dol
lars.
During that period we were engaged in wars
with Great Britain and Mexico, and were in
yolved in hostilities with powerful Indian
tribes. Louisiana was purchased from France
Mt a cost Of fifteen millions Of dollars. Florida
coded to US by Spain for FIVE millions Cali
Millions and the territory of New Mexico was
obtained from Texas for the sum Of ten mill
lions. Early in 1861 the war Of the rebellion
commenced, and from the first Of that year 10
the Both Of June, 1865, the public expcndi-
lures reached the enormous aggregate Of thir-
ty-three hundred millions Of dollars.
Three years Of peace have interviewed. and
during that time the disbursements of the Gov.
eminent have successfully been five hundred
and twenty millions, three hundred and forty
SIX millions, and three hundred and ninety
three millions. Adding 10 these amounts the
three hundred and seyenty-two millions esti-
mated as necessary for the fiscal year ending
Both of June, 1869, we obtain total expendi-
ture of sixteen hundred millions Of dollars dur
ing the four years Immediately succeeding the
war, or nearly as much as was expended dur
ing the seyenty-two years that preceded the
rebellion, and embraced the extraordinary ex-
penditures already named.
These startling facts clearly illustrate the
necessity Of retrenchment in all branches Of
the public service. Abuses which were 70 tol-
Grated during the war for the preservation Of
the nation, will not be endured by the people
now that profound peace prevails. The re-
eeipts from internal revenues and customs have,
during the past three years, gradually dimin-
lshed, and the continuance Of useless and ex-
neutrality-suspicious. will involve us in ma
tonal bankruptcy, or else make inevitable an
increase Of taxes, already too onerous, and in
many respects, obnoxious, on account Of their
inquisit0ral character.
One hundred millions are annually expend.
ed for the military force, n large portion Of
which is employed in the execution of the
laws, both unnecessary and unconstitutional.
One hundred and fifty millions are required
each year to pay the interest on the public
debt. An army of tax-gatherers impoyerishcs
the nation, and public agents, placed by Con-
gress beyond the control Of the Executive, d.
vert from their legitimate purposes large sums
of money which they collect from the people.
in the name of the government.
Ajudicious legislation and prudent econo-
my can alone remedy the defects and divert the
evils which, II suffered TO exist, cannot fail Ia
diminish confidence in public councils. and
weaken the attachment and respect of the pei
pie towards their political institutions. With.
out proper care, the small balance which il il
estimated will remain in tbs Treasury at the
close OF the present fiscal year, will not be ~
allied, and additional millions be added 10 A
debt which is now enumerated by billions.
Ii Is shown by the able and comprehensive
report OF the Secretary Of the Treasury. that
the receipts for the fiscal year ending june 30,
1865, We're $iO5 ,63S ,0e3, and that the expen-
ditures for the same period were 1877 ,3iO, 2si.
leaving in the Treasury a surplus of S2s ,2e7,.
79s. Ii is estimated that the receipts during
the present fiscal year, ending June 30, 1869
VIII be S3il 1872 ,s0s, and the expenditures
$50, 10y 40, showing small balance of So
2i0.3es in favor Of the government. For tbe
fiscal year ending June 30, 1870, it is estimat-
ed that the receipts will amount to S327 900,
900, and the expenditures to S3O3, 900, 600.
leaving an estimated surplus of S24, 600 900.
1t becomes proper in this connection TO make
brief reference TO our public indebtedness,
which has accumulated rapidly and assumed
such colossal proportions.
In 1889, when the Government commenced
operations under the Federal Constitution, il
was burdened with an indebtedness of s75.-
goo, 200, created during the war of the Revo-
luton. This amount had been reduced to Sl5-
0oO,000, when, in 1879, war was declared
against Great Britain. The three years strug-
gle that followed largely increased the Nation
al obligations, and in 1916 they had attained
the sum Of $i27, OOO, 900 Wise and eoonomi-
cal leaislati.... L. -