Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1868-12-19

the increase of expenditure since the be-
ginning OF the government has been
eight thousand SIX hundred and eighteen
per centum, while the increase of the popula-
tlon for the same period was only eirht hun
dred and sixty-eight per ccntum Again: the
expenses OF the government in 1860, the wear
of peace Immediately preceding the war. were
only sixty-three million, while in 1869, the year
of peace, three years after the war, it is esti-
mated they will be three hundred and seventy
two millions, an increase of four hundred and
eighty-nine per centum, while the increase of
population was only twenty-One per centum
for the same period. These statistics further
show that in 1891 the annual national expenses
compared with the population, were little more
than one dollar per capita, and in 1860 but
two dollars per capita, while in 1859 they will
reach the extravagant sum of nine dollars and
seventyeight cents per capita. 1t will be OBJ
served that all of 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 periods, the war
with Great Britain, the Mexican war and the
war of the rebellion. In 1914 the annual ex-
penscs incident to the war of 1912 reached
their highest amount, about thirty-one millions
while our population slightly exceeded eight
millions, showing an expenditure of only three
dollars and eighty cents per capita.
In 1S47, theexpenditures growing out of war
with Mexico reached fifly-five millions, and
the population about twelve millions, giving
only two dollars and six cents per capita for
the war expenses of that year. In 1865, the
expenditures called for by the rebellion reached
the vast amount of one billion two hundred
and ninety millions, which, compared with
population of thirty -four millions, gives thirty
eight dollars and twenty cents per capita.
From the fourth day of March, 1880, to the
18th day of June, 1861, the entire expendi-
lures of the government were one billion seven
hundred millions of dollars During that
period we were engaged in wars with Great
Britain and Mexico, and hostiiities with
powerful Indian tribes; Louisiana WAS
purchased from France at a cost of fit-
teen millions of dollars; Florida was
ceded by Spain for five millions; Califor-
mia was acquired from Mcxico for five
millions, and the territory of New Mex
leo was obtained from Texas for the
sum of ten millions. Early in 1861 the
war of the rebellion commenced, and
from the lst of July of that year to
the 18th of June, 1865, the public cx-
penditures reached the enormous aggre-
gate Of three thousand three hundred
millions. Three years of peace have in
tervened, and, during that time, the dis
bursements OF the Government have sue
cessiyely been five hundred and twenty
millions, three hundred and torty-six
millions, and three hundred and ninety
three millions. Adding to these amounts
three hundred and seventy-two millions
estimated as necessary for the fiscal year
ending 3Oth June, 1859, we obtain to-
tai expenditure OF one thousand six hun
dred millions of dollars during the four
years Immediately succeeding the war,
or nearly as much as was expended dur
ing the seventy-two years preceding the
rebellion, and embracing the extraordi-
nary expenditures already named: These
startling facts illustrate the necessity of
retrenchmen: in all branches of the pub
lie service. Abuses which were tolerated
during the war for the preservation of
the Union, will not be endured by the
people now that profound peace rcigns.
The receipts from internal revenues and
customs have, during the past three
years, gradually diminished, and the con-
tlnuance of useless and extravagant ex-
penditures will involve us in national
bankruptcy, or else make an inevitable
increase of taxes, already too onerous,
aud, in many respects, obnoxious, OH
account of their inquisitorial character.
One hundred millions annually are ex-
pended for the military f,rce, n large
portion of which is employed in the exc
cution OF laws both unnecessary and un-
constitutional. One hundred and fifty
millions are required each year to pay
the interest on the public debt An
army of tax-getherers impoverishes the
nation, and public agents, placed by
Congress beyond the contro. of the Ex-
ecutive, divert from their deliberate pur-
poses large sums of money, which they
collect from the people in the name of
the Governments. JudiciOus legislation
and prudent economy can alone remedy
the defects and avert the evils which, If
suffered to exist, can not fail to dir,inish
confidence in the public counsels and
weaken the attachment and respect of
the people toward their political institu-
tions. Without proper care, the small
balance which, it is estimated, will remain
in the Treasury at tine close of the pres
ent fiscal year, will not be realized, and
additional millions will be added to a
debt which is now enumerated by billions.
1t is shown by the able and comprehen-
sive report of the Secretary OF the Treas
ury, that the receipts for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1868, were S4O5, ,6S3, ,0s3,
and that the expenditures for the same
period were s377, $40, ,2s4, leaving in the
Treasury surplus of s2S, S,297, ,799. 1t is
estimated that the receipts du,ins the
present fiscal year ending June 30, 1859,
will be $341, ,s92, 1858, and the expendi-
lures 1896, l52 ,47O, showing small bal
ance OF s5,24o,39S in favor of the Gov
ernment for the fiscal YER ending June
80, 1870. 1t is estimated that the receipts
will amount to 1927, Goo, 900, and the ex-
penditures to $3oa, 900, 900, leayin. an
estimated surplus of S24, ,0OO, 900. .r5l .-.,.
1t becomes proper in this connection
to make brief reference to our public
Indebtedness, which has accumulated
with such alarming rapidity and assumed
such colossal proportions, In / 1877, whom
the Government commenced operations
under the Federal Constitution, C it was
burdened with an indebtedness of seven
ty-five millions of dollars, created during
the war OF the revolution. This amount