The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-12-16

tw" million. By comparing the public dis
bursements OF 1863, as estimated with those
of 1871, 1T will he seen that the increase of
expenditures since the beginning of the gov
crumcnt. has iieen eight thousand six hun
dred and eighteen per cent, while the in
crease of the population for the same period
was only eight hundred and siXty-eight per
cent. Again: the expenses OF the govern
ment in 1860, the year of peace Immediately
preceding the war, were only sixty-three mil
lion, while in 1868, the year of peace three
Years after the war. it is estimated they will
tie three hundred and seventy-two million,
an increase of four hundred and eighty-ninc
per ccntum, while the increase Of population
was only twenty-one per centum for the same
period. These statistics further show that
in 1871 the annual national expenses, COM
pared with the population, We're little more
than one dollar per capita, and in 1860 hut
two dollars per capita. while in 1869 they
will reach the extravagant sum of nine dol
lars and seven,y-eight cents per capita.
1t will he observed that all of these state.
ments refer to, and exhibit the disburse-
ments of peace periods 1t may, therefore,
he of interest to compare the expenditures of
three war periods, the war with Great Bri-
tain, the Mexican war, and the war of the
rebellion. In 1914, the annual expenses in
cident to tlIeS war of 1912, reached their
highest amount-alnnt thrty-one million,
while ourpopulation slightly exceeded eight
million, showing an expenditure OF only
three dollars and eighty cents per capita.
In 1916 the expenditures growing out ofthe
war with Mexico reached fifty five millions,
and the population about twenty one mil
lions, giving only two dollars and sixty
cents per capita tor the war expenses of that
year. In 1865 the expenditures called for
by the rebellion reached the vast amount of
twelve hundred and ninety millions, which,
compared with a population of thirty-four
millions, gives tbirty-eight dollars and TWEEN
ty cents per capita
From the fourth day of March, 1889, to
the 3Oth of June, 1851 the entire expendi-
lures of the government were seventeen
hundred millions of dollars. During that
period We were engaged in wars with Great
Britain add Mexico, and were involved in
hostilities with powerful Indian tribes.
Louisiana was purchased from France at u
cost of fifteen millions of dollars. Florida
was coded to us 10y Spain for five millions.
California WAS acquired from Mexico tor
fifteen millions, and the territory of New
Mexico was obtained from Texas for the
sum of ten millions. Early in 1861 the war
of the rebellion commenced, and from the
1st of July of that year tn the Both of June,
1865. the public expenditure reached the
enormous aggregate of thirty-three hundred
millions. Three years of peace have inter-
vened, and during that time the disburse-
ments of the government have. successfully,
been five hundred aud twenty millions, three
hundred and forty. millions and three
hundred and ninety-thrce millions. Adding,
to these amounts three hundred and Sc, entv
two millions, estimated as necessary for the
fiscal year ending the 30tll of June 1859. we
obtain u total expenditure of sixteen hundred
millions of dollars during the four years
Immediately succeeding the war, or nearly
as much as we expended during thu: seventy
Two wears that preceded the rcbe iliOn. and
embraced the extraordinary expenditures
already named. These startling facts clear-
ly illustrate the necessity OF retrenchment III
all branches of the public service Abuses
which were tolerated during II war for
the preservation of the nation will not be
endured by the people now that profound
peace prevails. The receipts from internal
revenues and customs. have du ring The past
three years gradually diminished and the
continuance of useless and eXtravagant eX-
penditures will involve US in national bank
ruptcy or else make inevitable an increase
of taxes already too onerous and in many
respects obnoxious OH account of their in
quisitnrial character. One hundred millions
annually are expended for the military force
a large portion of which is employed in the
nfl n both n
constitutional. One hundred and fifty nil
lions are required each year to pay the inter
est on the public debt. An ARMY of tax
gathcrers impoverishes the nation, and pub.
lie agents, placed by Congress beyond the
| the control Of the executive, diver. from theil
legitimate purposes large sums of money
which they cnilect from the PEG pie in the
name of the government. Judicious legis
lation and prudent economy can alone rene
| dy defects and avert evils which are suffered
to exist, and cannot fail to din Finish conf
| drnce in the people towards ,li.ir politica
institutions. Without pro, er care th,
| small balance which it is estimatet
| will remain in the treasury at the close ~
the present fiscal year will MT he realized
and additional millions I've added tn deb
which is now embraced by billions 1t il
| shown by the able and COMP extensive re
| port of the Secretary of the Treasury tina
the receipts Tor the fiscal year ending Jun,
30th, 1868, were $405. 63S, OS3 and that til,
| expenditures Tor the same peril d were $377,
$40, 2S4, leaving il. the Treasury a surplus o
$2S,297,7 1893 1t is estimated that the re
ceipts during the present fiscal year endin.
June Both, 1869, will be 1911, 392, 1868 and tn
expenditures 1886. 1852. 40, showing small
balance of s.. FAC. 398 in favor of the govern
ment. For the fiscal year inc ing June 30tl
| 1870, it is estimated that the receipts vii
| amount to 1927 100000, and the expendi
rures to 1903 ,000, 900, leaving an estimated
surplus OF 1924 100000.
1t bccenes proper in this connection t,
make brief reference to t,llr public indebt
edness, which has accumulated with sucl
alarming rapidity and as sumed such colo
sal proportions In 1889, when the govern
ment commenced operations under the fed
| eral constitution. it was i,urdened with al
/ intiehtednosS of Ssvonts- live millions of dol
lars, created during the war of the Revolu
ton. This amount had been reduced t,
forty five million of dallars when, in 1912
war was declared az ainst Great Britain
The three years struggle that followed
largely increased the national obligations
and in 1916 they had attained the sum o
one hundred and twenty seven million. Wis
and economical legislation. however, enabled
the government to pay the entire amour
within period OF twenty years, and III,
extinguisliment of the national debt fllet
the land with rejoicing, an.l was one of til,
moral events of President Jackson's admin
strati0n.