The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-12-17

cation that hreafter tie Constitution is to be
made the nations safe and unerring guide;
they can be productive of no permanent
benefit to the country, and should not be
permitted to stand as so many monuments
of deficient wisdom which has characterized
our recent legislation.
THE PUBLIC ExPENDI TUREs.
The condition of our finances demands the
early and earnest consideration of Congress
Compared with the growth of our population.
public expenditures have reached an amount
unprecedented in our history. The popula-
tion of the United States in 1890 was nearly
four millions of people; increasing each de-
cade about thirty-three per cent, it reached
in 1860 thirty-one millions, an increase of
seven hundred per cent. on the population in
1890. In 1869, it is estimated it will reach
thirty-eight millions, or an increase of eight
hundred and sixty-eight per cent. in seventy
nine years. The annual expenditures of the
Federal Government in 1871 were four mil
lions two hundred thousand dollars in 1920
eighteen millions two hundred thousand
dollars in 1850, forty-one millions in 1860,
sixty-three millions. In 1864, nearly thir-
teen hundred millions, and in 1869, it is es-
timated 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 disbursement of
/
| be seen that the increase since the beginning
| of our government has been eight thousand
! six hundred and eighteen per cent, while
the increase of tie population for the same
| period was only eight hundred and sixty
| eight per cent. Again, the expense of the
| Government in 1860, the year of peace inn
mediately preceding the war, were only
| sixty five millions, while in 1869, the year
of peace three years after tie war, it is esti-
mated they will be three hundred and sew
| enty millions, an increase of four hundred
| and eghty-nine per cent. while the increase
| of population was only twenty-one per cen.
for the same period These statistics fur
| ther show, that in 179l the annual national
| expenses compared with the population
were but little more than one dollar per
capita, and in 1860, two dollars per capita,
while in 1869 they will reach the extrava-
CANT sum of nine dollars and seventy-eight
cents per capita. 1t will be observed that
all Of these statements referred to exhibit the
disbursements of peace periods. 1t may,
therefore, be of interest to compare the ex-
pendituTes of the three war periods, the war
with Great Britain, the Mexican war and
the wor of the Iebollion.[ In 1874 the an
nual expenses incident to the war of 1912
reach the highest amount, about So l 900 900
while our population slightly exceeded s.
| 600 900, showing an expenditure of only
| three dollars and eighty cents per capita
| In l847 the expenditures growing out of the
| war with Mexico, reached ffty-five millions,
| and the population about twenty-one mil
! lIons, giving only two dollars and sixty
| cents per capita for the war ex penses of that
year. In 1865 the expenditure called for by
the rebellion reached the vast amount of
twelve hundred and ninety millions. which,
compared with population of thirty-four
millions, gives thirty-eight dollars and
twenty-eight cents per cents per capita
From the 4th day of March, 1889, to the
30th 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 Britain
and Mexica, and were engaged in hostilities
with powerful Indian tribes. Louisiana was
purchased from France at n cost of fifteen
millions Of dollars Florida was ceded to us
by Spain for five millions California was
acquired from Mexico fo- fifteen millions.
and the Territory of New Mexico was OBJ
tanned from Texas for the sum of ten mil
lions. Early in 1861 the war of the rebel
lion commenced, and from the first of July
of that year to the thirtieth of June, 1865.
the public expenditures reached the enor-
nous aggregate of thirty-three hundred mil
lions. Three years of peace have intervened,
and during that time the disbursements of
the Government have succesSive1y been five
hundred and twenty millions, three hundred
and ninety millions. Adding to these
amounts three hundred and seventy-two
millions estimated as necessary for the fiscal
year ending the 30th of June, 1869, we OBJ
tain total expenditure of sixteen hundred
millions of dolors during the war, or nearly
as much as was expended the seventy-two
years that preceded the rebellion, and en-
braced the extraordinary expenditures already
IL Il
the necessity of retrenchment 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 peo-
pie now, that profound peace prevails.
INTERNAL REVENUE AND CUSTOMS RECEIPTS.
The receipts from internal revenues and
customs have. during the 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 onerous and in many respects obnoxious
on account of their inquisitorial character.
One haadred millions annually are expend-
ed for the military force, large portion of
which is employed in the execution of laws
both unnecessary and unconstitutional. One
hundled and fifty millions are required each
year to pay the interest on the public debt.
An army of tax gatherers impoverishes the
nation, and public agents, placed by Con-
gress beyond the control of the Executive,
divert from their legitimate purposes large
sums of money, which they collect from the
people in the name of the government. Ju-
diciouu legislation and prudent economy can
alone remedy these defects, and avert evils
which, if suffered to exist, cannot fail 20 di-
min:sh 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 be
added to debt which is now enumerated
bv billions. 1t is shown by the able and
comprehensive report of the Secretary Of the