The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1868-12-26

00O, 600, or an increase of 1858 per cent.
in seventy-nine years. The annual
expenditures of the Federal Govern
ment, in 1901, were 100000; in
1920, Sis, 100000 in 1850, SAC, 600, 900;
in 1860, $4,000, 600; in 1865, ST ,300,-
900, 900, and in 1869, it is estimated
by the Secretary of the Treasury, in
his last annual report, that they will
be $372, 600, 900. BY comparing the
public disbursements of 1869, as esti-
mated, with those of 1871, it will be
seen that the increase of expenditure
since the beginning of the Govern
ment has been 8l,Gl4 per centum,
while the increase of the population
for the same period was only 86S per
| centum.
Again: The expenses of the Gov
ernment in 186O-the yearo of peace
Immediately preceding the war
We're only $83, 100000 while, in 1869
the year of peace three years after
| the war, il is estimated they will be
$372, 600, ,n00,-an increase of 480 per
cent; while the increase Of popula-
ton was only q per eentQm for the
same period.
These statistics further show that,
in 1891, the annual national expen-
ses, compared with the population,
were little more than 81 per capita,
and, in 1860, but 81 per capita, while,
in 1869, they will reach the extrava-
giant sum of $0.78 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 1874, the
annual expenses incident to the war
of 1872 reached their highest amount,
about $31 900, 900, while our pOpula-
ton slightly exceeded 5000, 900
showing an expenditure Of only $3.-
so per capita. In 1S4S, expenditures
growing oul Of the war with Mexico
reached 500, ,000,0 900, and the popula-
ton was about q 900, 900, giving on
ly $3.50 per capita for the war ex-
pGnses of that year. In 1865, the
expenditures called for by the re-
bellion reached the vast amount Of
81 ,29O, 100000; which compared with
a population of 234, 100000 gives
$500 per capita.
From the 4th day Of March, 1883,
to the Sd day of June, 1861, the en-
tire expenditures of the Government
were 81, $1,700,000,000. During that
period we were engaged in wars
with Great Britain and Mexico, and
were involved in hostilities with
powerful Indian tribes. Louisiana
was purchased from France at cost
of S15, 5,000,000 and the Territory of
New Mexico was obtained from
Texas for the sum Of $4,000, 600.
Early in 1861 the war of the rebellion
commenced and, from the lst Of
July of that year, to the 30th day of
June, 1865, the public expenditures
reached the enormous aggregate of
So, 800, 100000.
DISBURSEMENTS OF THREE YEARS
OF PEACE.
Three years of peace have inter
yened, and during that time the dis
bursements of the government have
successfully been five hundred and
twenty millions, three hundred and
forty-siX millions, and three hundred
and ninety-three millions. Adding
to the amounts $372, 900, 900 estimated
as necessary for the fiscal year ending
the 30th of June, 1863, we obtain q
total of 81 900, 100000 during the four
years Immediately succeeding the
war, or nearly as much as there
was expended during the seventy
two years that preceded the rebel
lion, and embraced the extraordinary
expenditures already named. These
startling facts fully illustrate the ne
cessity of retrenchment in all the
branches Of the public service. Abu-
ses which were tolerated during the
war for the preservation of the ma
ton, will not be endured by the peo-
pie, now that profound peace pre-
walls.
INTERNAL REVENUE RECEIPTS.
The receipts from tie internal rev.
enue and customs have, during the
past three years, gradually dimin-
ished, and the continuance of useless
and extravagant expenditures will
involve us in a national bankruptcy,
or else make inevitable the increase
of taxes, already too enormous and
in many respects obnoxious on ac-
count of their inquisitorial character.
One hundred and fifty millions are
annually expended for the military
force, large portion Of which isem-
ployed in the direction of laws both
unnecessary and unconstitutional.
One hundred and fifty millions are
required each year to pay the inter
est on the puklic debt. An army of
taX-gatherers impoverishes the ma
ton, and public agents, placed by
/ Congress beyond the control of the
Executive, divert from their legiti-
mate purposes large sums of money
which they collect from the people
in the name of the government. Ju-
dicous legislation and prudent econ
omy can alone remedy defects and
divert evils which, il suffered to
exist, cannot fail TO diminish conf
dence in the public servants, and
weaken the attachment of the peo-
| pie toward their political institutions
without proper cause.
MORE MONEY WANTED.
The balance, which is estimated
will remain in the treasury at the
close of the present fiscal year, will
not be realized, and additional mill
lions will be added to a debt which
is now enumerated by billions. 1t
is shown by the able and compre-
hensive reports of the secretary of
the treasury that the receipts for the
fiscal year ending July 30th, 1865,
were $405, ,0S8, ,0S3, and the expendi-
lures for the same period were $377, :
$40, ,2S4, leaving in the treasury sur
plus of $28, ,207 ,879. 1t is estimated
that the receipts during the present
fiscal year, ending June 80, 1869, will
be S341 1892, ,868, and the expenditures
| 1886, l52, 40; showing a small bal
I ance of S5,240, ,39S in favor of the
government, For the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1870, it is estimated
that the receipts will amount to
1927 900, 900 and the expenditures to
$303, 900, 900, leaving an estimated sur
plus of $4,000, 200.
TIE PUBLIC DEBT. f...
! 1t seems proper, in this connection,
to make brief reference to our pub.